PSSI Announces Mauro Zijlstra as Latest Naturalized Player for Indonesian National Team
The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has revealed that Mauro Zijlstra, a 20-year-old striker currently playing for FC Volendam, will soon become the newest naturalized player for the national team. The announcement came from PSSI’s chairman, Erick Thohir, who shared plans to integrate Zijlstra into both the senior and U23 national squads. Zijlstra is expected to participate in the senior team’s upcoming World Cup 2026 qualification matches, while also competing in the ASEAN U23 Championship and Asian U23 qualifiers later this year.
Zijlstra’s naturalization process is already underway, with official requests sent to Indonesia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and further approvals anticipated from other government bodies. The process is receiving strong support from high-level officials, including the President, signaling a serious commitment to enhancing the national teams with young talent. Erick also confirmed that Zijlstra is currently the only naturalized player planned for this year, reflecting a careful approach to strengthening the squad.
On the field, Zijlstra has shown promise with a solid record at Volendam’s youth team, scoring 17 goals and assisting four times over 21 appearances last season. His performances earned him a promotion to the senior team, where he has appeared in several matches, including the Dutch Cup and second division league games. His inclusion is seen as a strategic move to address the national team’s need for youthful attacking options.
In addition to Zijlstra’s naturalization, PSSI also announced plans to bring in three naturalized players for the women’s national team. These players—Isabel Kopp, Isabelle Nottet, and Pauline van de Pol—are expected to join Garuda Pertiwi for important matches in the Asian Women’s Cup 2026 qualifiers. This initiative marks a broader effort by PSSI to boost both the men’s and women’s squads ahead of major regional and international competitions.
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