PSSI General Chairman Erick Thohir confirmed that the Indonesian national team will be welcoming a player of new descent in the near future, namely Mauro Zijlstra, striker for FC Volendam.
Ziljstra, said Erick, will soon be naturalized to be projected to be part of the national team for the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers (October), as well as the U-23 national team facing the ASEAN U-23 Championship in July and the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers in September.
"Later there will be a young striker, Mauro. We know that our national (men's) team in the youth and senior teams still lacks young players. So hopefully this can also add to the preparation for the team in the future," Erick told reporters after watching the Indonesian women's national team match in Tangerang Regency, Wednesday.
When asked how far along the naturalization process for the 20-year-old striker was, Erick said he had sent a letter to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
"I have sent a letter to the Minister of Youth and Sports. The Minister of Youth and Sports is also very open. Thank you, Mr. Minister of Youth and Sports. Later, it is expected that the Minister of Youth and Sports will send it to the Minister of Law this week. Then next week, of course, it will go to the State Secretary. And of course, it will get support from the President. Then the process to the DPR usually," explained Erick.
