PSSI Responds to Rumours of John Herdman's Request for Two Diaspora Players

KOMPAS.com - The Executive Committee of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Arya Sinulingga, spoke out regarding rumours of the addition of two naturalised players from Europe. The head coach of the Indonesian national team, John Herdman, was reported to want to recruit two new diaspora players from Europe. This was first disclosed by Noor Korompot, Special Staff to the Minister of Law and Human Rights for Digital Transformation, via his social media account. The post appeared after Minister of Law and Human Rights Supratman Andi Agtas held a meeting with the Minister of Youth and Sports and concurrently the General Chairman of PSSI, Erick Thohir, some time ago. ‘As Chairman of PSSI, Erick Thohir told of coach John Herdman’s plan to recruit two new players from Europe. Be patient, there isn’t much information I can share. All for the Red and White,’ Noor Korompot said on his Instagram account, @noorkorompotalks, on Wednesday (5 March 2026).

In response, Arya Sinulingga asked the public to wait and not to speculate. ‘We will adjust it according to the situation later,’ he said. Moreover, Arya explained that the naturalisation candidates are confirmed to come from Europe. However, to date the profiles of the two potential naturalisation players are still unknown. ‘Yes, definitely from there (Europe), but I don’t know yet. But, of course, he will look for good ones,’ Arya said. If indeed PSSI adds two more naturalised players, that would mean there would be 23 diaspora players recruited in the Erick Thohir era, which began on 16 February 2023. As the nearest agenda, the Indonesian national team will host the FIFA Series from 27-30 March 2026. Besides Indonesia, the FIFA Series Jakarta will be joined by the Bulgaria national team, the Solomon Islands national team, and the Saint Kitts and Nevis national teams.