PSSI Selective, Rejecting the Naturalization of This Descendant Player Defending the National Team in the World Cup Qualifiers

FAJAR.CO.ID – The All Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) is increasingly selective in naturalizing descendants to defend the Indonesian national team in the World Cup qualifying round. In addition to the descendants of the striker position, PSSI will refuse to naturalize.

PSSI Chairperson Erick Thohir said, the decision did not naturalize descendants who were positioned by goalkeeper, defender, to midfielder, because the number of quality players in that position had piled up.

The current national team only needs an attacking player who has a bang to break the opponent’s defense and score goals. So, besides the position of the striker, PSSI does not need it at this time.

“I have said, filling the front line is certain. If the back line, middle, I think it’s enough. There can be changes,” said Erick Thohir.

At present, there are a number of descendants who are said to be targeted to be naturalized in order to strengthen the Indonesian national team in the fourth round match of the 2026 Asian World Cup qualifiers in October.

The names included in the PSSI naturalization radar include Mauro Zijlastra. This 20 -year -old player plays a striker who defended FC Volendam at Eerste Divisie.

Mauro Ziljastra was born in Zaandam on November 9, 2004. Indonesian blood from his grandmother from Bandung. His father also has Indonesian blood.

Ziljastra began his football career in AZ Alkmaar, then continued to AFC Amsterdam and NEC Nijmegen U21 until he joined the Volunam U21 in 2024.