Mauro Zijlstra Confirmed Not To Be Able To Strengthen The U-23 National Team In The Asian Cup Qualification

Baru Mauro Zijlstra whose naturalization file is complete (Instagram/@maurozijlstra).

PSSI Executive Committee (Exco) Arya Sinulingga ensured that the candidate for naturalization of the Indonesian national team Mauro Zijlstra could not defend the Indonesian U-23 national team in the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup Qualification which will take place at the Gelora Delta Sidoarjo Stadium in early September.

"If Mauro is for the U-23, I don't think he can. Because it's closed, right. Registration for D-10 must be registered with the AFC," Arya said when met by reporters at the opening of the photo exhibition and the words 90 & Beyond at Sarinah Mall, Jakarta, Antara, Sunday, August 24.

Previously, last July, PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir said Zijlstra would become a new naturalized player for Indonesia. The 20-year-old player belonging to the FC Volendam club was originally projected to follow the national team's closest agenda in Sidoarjo. Indonesia is struggling to become one of 15 countries (11 group winners and the second best four rankings) who qualified for the final round in Saudi Arabia, next January.

In this qualifying round, Indonesia will host Group J and will face Laos on September 3, Macau on September 6, and South Korea on September 9.

When asked if Zijlstra would strengthen Indonesia's senior national team, who in the same month underwent FIFA Match Day at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Surabaya, against Kuwait (September 5) and Lebanon (September 9), Arya replied, "Depending on (Indonesian national team coach) Patrick Kluivert and all coaching teams."

To face Kuwait and Lebanon, Kluivert announced 27 Garuda players last Thursday. Of these, 11 players came from BRI Liga 1, 15 career players abroad, and one player, Thom Haye, currently does not have a club.