PSSI Hopes Three New Naturalized Players Can Defend The Indonesian National Team Against Australia

JAKARTA - PSSI General Chair (Ketum) Erick Thohir positively welcomed the completion of naturalization of Emil Audero, Joey Pelupessy, and Dean James on Monday, March 10, 2025, WIB night. Erick also hopes that the three of them can immediately join the Indonesian national team against Australia.

Emil, Joey, and Dean officially took the oath of Indonesian citizens at the Indonesian Embassy in Rome, Italy. After the process was completed, the three officially became Indonesian citizens and only had to complete the process of transferring the federation from KNVB and FIGC to PSSI.

Erick said that one step away from the three players could strengthen the Indonesian national team. They are indeed speeding up naturalization in order to appear in Group C of the Third Round of the 2026 Asian Zone World Cup Qualification.

In March 2025, the Indonesian national team will first face Australia at the Allianz Stadium, Sydney, March 20, 2025.

After fighting Australia, the Indonesian national team will host Bahrain at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Jakarta, on March 25, 2025.

"Emil Audero, Dean James, and Joey Pelupessy have officially become Indonesian citizens. The three of them also hold passports and ID cards as Indonesian citizens," Erick said as quoted from his personal Instagram page on Selesa, March 11, 2025.

"There is still one more stage, namely the transfer of the FIFA federation before registering them with the Indonesian national team squad."

"We pray that Emil, Dean, and Joey can defend the Indonesian national team for the match against Australia and Bahrain in the 2026 Asian Zone World Cup Qualification," he said.

Still in the same upload, the chairman of PSSI also appreciated various parties who have helped the naturalization of the three players. This is a support in the efforts of the Indonesian national team to appear on the world football stage.

"Thank you for the extraordinary support and commitment from the President General of the TNI (Ret.) Prabowo Subianto to advance Indonesian football," he said.

The last player registration for the Indonesian national team was set for March 13, 2025, or a week before the match against Australia. With a remaining two-day gap, this will be a crucial moment to determine the availability of the three new naturalized players for the Indonesian national team.