Erick Thohir Caps The Reason For The Enthusiasm Of Dynamicization Diaspora

Indonesian national team players in training sessions (INSTAGRAM ARCHIP) @rafaelstruick

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir revealed the basic reasons that were taken into consideration by dozens of diaspora players who wanted to be naturalized to defend the Indonesian national team.

As of today, there have been 13 diaspora players who have defended Garuda in the two years of Erick's leadership. This ambitious project targets Indonesia to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Erick said that in addition to believing in the project run by PSSI, diaspora players would accept the offer to defend Indonesia because of the lineage of their ancestors.

"They want to go back to their origins because this is a wonderful thing for their mothers, papas, grandmothers and grandfathers and this is something I bring them, a good program and a dream we want to achieve," Erick said.

This naturalization project achieved great success under the control of South Korean coach, Shin Tae Yong. The current squad has made the Indonesian national team able to compete with the best team in Asia.

The best result so far is that Garuda troops have also been able to qualify for the third round of the 2026 World Cup in the Asian zone. This makes the Red and White chance to play in the most prestigious football event quite open.

Erick revealed that the willingness of this diaspora player made Indonesia's ambition to qualify for the World Cup and other important events even bigger.

"We are lucky that many of our diaspora living abroad believe in this project. We want to qualify for the World Cup. We want to qualify for the Olympics and this is why all players who play in Europe believe in this program," he said.

At this time, Indonesia is in third place in the standings of Group C, qualifying for the third round of the 2026 World Cup in the Asian zone. The place did not meet the requirements.

To be able to get a direct ticket from this round, Indonesia needs to finish in the top two places in the group final standings. The opportunity is still wide open with four matches remaining.

If they do not qualify from the third round, Indonesia must pursue third or fourth positions. This position will take Garuda to continue its struggle to the fourth round.

In the fourth round, Indonesia will compete with six other countries which are divided into two groups. In this round only group winners managed to qualify for the World Cup.