PSSI focuses on SEA Games 33, summons naturalized stars
After the failure in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and parting ways with coach Patrick Kluivert, PSSI prioritized SEA Games 33, wanted to call up the naturalized squad and considered using the U23 team at FIFA Days in November.
Indonesia chose the 33rd SEA Games as a springboard to regain confidence. After a heavy defeat in the 4th qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup and the dismissal of coach Patrick Kluivert, PSSI announced that 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.
Call-up plan: naturalized players are the pillars of U22 Indonesia
PSSI President Erick Thohir affirmed that the federation will “provide maximum support” to the U22 Indonesia team at the 33rd SEA Games. A major focus is to call up naturalized players playing abroad. He specifically named Adrian Wibowo, Marselino Ferdinan, Mauro Zijlstra and Ivar Jenner as the names in the plan.
“It is not impossible. We will try to call up the best players if they can join during the December break,” Mr. Thohir said. The target is “clear – to win the gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games.”
Non-FIFA calendar: the problem of player release
The SEA Games are not on the FIFA calendar, meaning clubs are not obliged to release players. For PSSI, the challenge is to finalize the squad during the December break – a narrow window to get cooperation from the parent clubs and arrange travel and meeting schedules.
In that context, prioritizing players who can be ready in time becomes a vital factor. Mr. Thohir's message of "it's not impossible" shows that PSSI believes in the possibility of unlocking this problem through early negotiation and preparation.
FIFA Days November: U23 plan to maintain the competition rhythm
According to CNN Indonesia, PSSI is planning to use the U23 team for the FIFA Days in November as part of the SEA Games preparation roadmap. In case the national team has not appointed a new head coach, the U23 team will be given priority to compete to maintain the rhythm and test the personnel framework.
The move is aimed at ensuring Indonesia's youth system has uninterrupted international competition time leading up to the Games, instead of being disrupted by turmoil at the national team level.
Strategic analysis: stabilize the framework, increase competition for position
After a period of many changes, the choice of “focusing on SEA Games” helps PSSI rebuild in a direction with clear goals and the ability to measure success. Summoning a group of naturalized players along with the U22/U23 foundation creates two benefits: maintaining the rhythm of competition for the youth team and increasing competition for positions in the squad.
The key issue is to balance the stability of the youth framework with the addition of quality personnel in a short time, especially when the concentration time is limited due to the lack of FIFA calendar. A concise training plan, optimizing basic tactical organizations and coordination standards between the lines is what PSSI aims for in the preparation phase.
Key personnel: clear targets for December term
Mr. Erick Thohir's specific mention of Adrian Wibowo, Marselino Ferdinan, Mauro Zijlstra and Ivar Jenner shows that PSSI has identified a core of target personnel for the December break. This is an important step to shape the preliminary list, at the same time creating an early signal to clubs and players about the call-up plan.
When the personnel is finalized at a certain level, U22 Indonesia has the basis to build a tactical plan, from the role of each position to replacement plans, suitable for the goal of defending the gold medal.
Statement and response: a message of determination from the top
The message from the PSSI President shows the determination to restart after firing coach Patrick Kluivert. The mindset of “solving the immediate goal” with SEA Games 33 is both to restore confidence and create a 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 outlook: defending the number one position in the region
The proactive preparation for the 33rd SEA Games, the use of U23 at FIFA Days in November and the push to call up naturalized players reflect Indonesia’s ambition to maintain its position as the region’s number one. If PSSI can resolve the two bottlenecks – the non-FIFA schedule and the consensus from the club – U22 Indonesia will have a good foundation to aim for the goal of defending the gold medal.
On the image level, a successful campaign at the 33rd SEA Games will help Indonesia dispel the aftershocks from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, while also creating momentum for key personnel decisions in the national team in the coming period.
