PSSI focuses its efforts on SEA Games 33, summoning a squad of naturalized stars.
Following their failure in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the departure of coach Patrick Kluivert, PSSI is prioritizing the 33rd SEA Games, wanting to call up a squad of naturalized players and considering using the U23 team during the FIFA Days in November.
Indonesia chose the 33rd SEA Games as a springboard to regain confidence. After a heavy defeat in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the dismissal of coach Patrick Kluivert, the PSSI (Indonesian Football Association) announced it would focus all its efforts on defending the gold medal with a plan to call up a series of naturalized players, even though the tournament is not on the FIFA calendar.
Selection plan: Naturalized players are the backbone of the Indonesian U22 team.
PSSI President Erick Thohir affirmed that the federation will provide "maximum support" for the Indonesian U22 team at the 33rd SEA Games. A major focus is on calling up naturalized players currently playing abroad. He specifically named Adrian Wibowo, Marselino Ferdinand, Mauro Zijlstra, and Ivar Jenner as part of the plan.
“It’s not impossible. We will try to call up the best players if they can participate during the December break,” said Thohir. The stated goal is “clear – to win the SEA Games 33 gold medal.”
Non-FIFA calendars: the problem of freeing up players.
The SEA Games are not included in the FIFA calendar, meaning clubs are not obligated to release their players. For PSSI, the challenge is to finalize the squad within the December break – a narrow window to secure cooperation from the clubs and arrange travel and training schedules.
In this context, prioritizing players who are available in time becomes crucial. Thohir's message, "it's not impossible," shows that PSSI believes in the possibility of unlocking this problem through negotiation and early preparation.
FIFA Days in November: U23 options to maintain match rhythm.
According to CNN Indonesia, PSSI is planning to use the U23 team for the FIFA Days in November as part of its SEA Games preparation. If the national team has not yet appointed a new head coach, the U23 team will be prioritized to play in order to maintain rhythm and test personnel.
This move aims to ensure Indonesia's youth system has a continuous period of international competition before the Games, rather than being disrupted by changes at the national team level.
Strategic analysis: stabilizing the framework, increasing competitiveness for the position.
After a period of significant upheaval, the decision to "focus efforts on the SEA Games" has helped PSSI rebuild in a direction with clear objectives and measurable success. The inclusion of naturalized players alongside the U22/U23 squad creates two benefits: maintaining the rhythm of competition for the youth teams and increasing competition for positions within the main squad.
The key challenge is balancing the stability of the young squad with the addition of quality personnel in a short period, especially when training time is limited due to the absence of FIFA schedules. A concise training plan, optimizing basic tactical organization and coordination standards between lines, is what PSSI aims for during the preparation phase.
Key personnel: clear objectives for December.
Erick Thohir's specific mention of Adrian Wibowo, Marselino Ferdinand, Mauro Zijlstra, and Ivar Jenner indicates that PSSI has identified a core group of players for the December break. This is an important step in shaping the preliminary list and sending an early signal to clubs and players about the call-up plan.
Once the personnel selection is finalized to a certain extent, the Indonesian U22 team has a basis to develop tactical plans, from the roles of each position to substitutions, in line with the goal of defending their gold medal.
Statements and responses: a message of determination from the top.
The message from the PSSI chairman shows a determination to restart after the dismissal of coach Patrick Kluivert. The mindset of "addressing the immediate goal" with the SEA Games 33 aims to both restore confidence and lay the foundation for long-term plans for Indonesian football.
"Our goal is very clear – to win the gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games," Mr. Thohir emphasized.
Impact and prospects: defending the region's number one position.
Proactive preparation for the 33rd SEA Games, the use of the U23 team during FIFA Days in November, and the increased recruitment of naturalized players reflect Indonesia's ambition to maintain its position as the region's number one. If PSSI successfully resolves the two bottlenecks – the non-FIFA-related schedule and the agreement from the clubs – the Indonesian U22 team will have a good foundation to aim for defending their gold medal.
On a visual level, a successful campaign at the 33rd SEA Games would help Indonesia dispel the aftershocks from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, while also creating momentum for crucial personnel decisions in the national team in the coming period.
