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Indonesia head coach Patrick Kluivert has named a 27-man squad for the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia, featuring a record 16 mixed-heritage players.
Fifteen of the foreign players were part of the squad in November 2024 when Indonesia lost 4-0 to Japan and defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0. The newest addition is Ole Romeny, a forward for Oxford City in England's Championship. Romeny came up through Dutch football, representing the Netherlands at U15, U19, and U20 levels.
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Ole Romeny (number 11) plays for Oxford United in the 2024-2025 English Championship. Photo by Oxford United |
Other Dutch-Indonesian players in the squad are goalkeeper Maarten Paes, defenders Jay Idzes, Mees Hilgers, Kevin Diks, Justin Hubner, Sandy Walsh, Calvin Verdonk, and Shayne Pattynama, midfielders Nathan Tjoe-A-On, Eliano Reijnders, Thom Haye, and Ivar Jenner, and forwards Ragnar Oratmangoen and Rafael Struick.
The only non-Dutch mixed-heritage player is center-back Jordi Amat, who has Spanish roots.
The squad could expand further if Indonesia finalizes the naturalization of Indonesian-Italian goalkeeper Emil Audero Mulyadi, Dutch midfielder Joey Pelupessy, and Dutch left-back Dean James.
Mulyadi, 27, plays for Palermo in Serie B. Pelupessy, 31, is with Belgian second-division club Lommel SK, while and James, 24, plays for Go Ahead Eagles in the Eredivisie.
The three are set to take their Indonesian citizenship oath on March 10, at the country's embassy in Rome. They must then complete their FIFA association switch—Mulyadi from Italy, Pelupessy and James from the Netherlands—before the March 13 deadline to be eligible for Indonesia's match against Australia on March 20. If they miss that game, they can still play the home match against Bahrain on March 25.
Kluivert's squad, finalized on Sunday, includes three changes from last November's lineup. Goalkeeper Ernando Ari replaces Muhammad Riyandi, while Yakob and Yance Sayuri make way for Romeny and Septian Bagaskara.
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Indonesia's starting lineup in the 0-0 draw against Australia in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers featured only two domestic players: Rizky Ridho (number 5) and Marselino Ferdinan (number 7). Photo by Timnas Indonesia |
Concerns about local players being sidelined under Kluivert have eased, according to Indonesian outlet Bola, with 40% of the squad being domestic players. However, Kluivert has yet to make significant changes from Shin Tae-yong’s selections since taking over as head coach.
Some players who have not played much for their clubs, like Nathan Tjoe-A-On and Marselino Ferdinan, still made the final roster as two important players Kevin Diks and Mees Hilgers struggled with their injuries.
Despite the discussions surrounding the squad, PSSI chairman Erick Thohir remains confident in Kluivert’s selections. "I believe this squad is balanced and includes the best players in every position," Thohir told Bola. "We're fully focused on our goal for the next two matches."
Indonesia aim to secure at least four points against Australia and Bahrain. With Japan leading the group, the other five teams still have a chance to advance. The top two teams move directly to the 2026 World Cup, while the third and fourth-placed teams enter the fourth round of selection.
Indonesia currently sit third in Group C with six points, tied with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and China but ahead on goal difference. The team are one point behind Australia and 10 behind Japan.
Indonesia's March 2025 World Cup qualifying squad:
Goalkeepers (3): Maarten Paes, Nadeo Argawinata, Ernando Ari
Defenders (11): Jay Idzes, Mees Hilgers, Kevin Diks, Muhammad Ferarri, Rizky Ridho, Jordi Amat, Justin Hubner, Sandy Walsh, Calvin Verdonk, Shayne Pattynama, Pratama Arhan
Midfielders (8): Nathan Tjoe-A-On, Eliano Reijnders, Thom Haye, Ivar Jenner, Marselino Ferdinan, Ricky Kambuaya, Egy Maulana Vikri, Septian Bagaskara
Forwards (5): Ole Romeny, Ramadhan Sananta, Hokky Caraka, Ragnar Oratmangoen, Rafael Struick
