The Reason Marselino Ferdinand Was Removed From The Indonesian National Team For The 2026 World Cup Qualification

JAKARTA - Marselino Ferdinand was crossed out of the list of players for the Indonesian national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup Qualification Fourth Round. Regarding this matter, PSSI through the Executive Committee (Exco) member, Arya Sinulingga, explained the reason.

Marselino is a regular Garuda Squad player who is not included by Patrick Kluiver on the crucial agenda next month.

Arya explained that the decision was clearly the full authority of the coach. The federation cannot intervene and can only provide support.

"If Marselino (expelled), I think it's all the authority of the coach. So far we are at PSSI, Mr. Erick (Thohir) can never mess with whoever the coach is, Nova (Arianto) even though the coach is still (Indonesian National Team) U-17, it can't be players or for certain people including players," said Arya Sinulingga in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday, September 25, 2025.

Furthermore, Arya said that Kluiverts must have their own calculations in the selection of players, including the matter of their decision not to include Marselino.

"So, this is the choice of the coach, surely he has his own consideration why he wasn't chosen. Maybe, maybe, because there is no match time (Marselino) yet."

"This may be the coach's consideration, in addition to perhaps the results of yesterday's evaluation, there was a FIFA Matchday trial against China Taipei and Lebanon," said Arya.

Not only Marselino as a mainstay player who was not included in the CLuivert to the Indonesian national team this time, a number of names, such as Mees Hilgers, Ivar Jenner, and Pratama Arhan were not seen by Kluiver.

Arya also mentioned the tight competition for players to fill the main squad. This is clearly directly proportional to the crucial agenda to penetrate the main round of the 2026 World Cup.

"The national team squad has been announced, the players who will enter the Fourth Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, I think we all know that the coating is really tight."

"Now the coatings in the Indonesian national team are getting better. So, they will be more competitive. Patrick has also shown that if you play at the club, then you will be considered good, that's a good step," said Arya.