Jakarta, March 7 – In a strategic move to strengthen its national football team ahead of the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has officially granted citizenship to three players of Indonesian descent. The announcement was made through an official press release on Thursday.
According to the PSSI statement, the Indonesian Parliament approved the citizenship requests of Dean Ruben James, Joey Mathias Pelupessy, and Emil Audero Mulyadi on Thursday.
Presidential Approval and Oath-Taking Process
The next step in the process involves submitting their citizenship documents to President Prabowo Subianto, who is expected to issue a formal decree granting them Indonesian nationality.
PSSI Executive Committee member Arya Sinulingga confirmed that President Prabowo will sign the decree on Friday (March 7), paving the way for the players to take their official citizenship oath before March 10.
“We have been informed that the President will sign the decree tomorrow (March 7), after which the citizenship oath-taking process will be completed before March 10,” Sinulingga stated in the press release.
Boost for Indonesia’s World Cup Ambitions
PSSI President Erick Thohir expressed gratitude to the Indonesian Parliament for swiftly approving the process. He emphasized that the inclusion of these three footballers will significantly enhance the strength of Indonesia’s national team as they prepare for the next stage of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
With Indonesia aiming to secure a historic spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the addition of these talented players could provide the much-needed boost to their squad. The move reflects Indonesia’s commitment to elevating its footballing standards on the global stage.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.