Ambition to reach Asia, Indonesia rushes to naturalize Dutch striker

Aiming to elevate its status in Asia, Indonesian football is rapidly finalizing the naturalization paperwork for the young Dutch-born forward Mauro Zijlstra. This reinforcement is expected to boost the U23 Indonesia squad before the 2026 U23 Asian Championship qualifiers.

On the morning of August 22, young striker Mauro Zijlstra, currently playing in the Netherlands, officially arrived in Jakarta. This trip marks the beginning of the 20-year-old's naturalization process, allowing him to be eligible to represent Indonesia’s U23 team in the 2026 Asian U23 Championship qualifiers scheduled for early September.

News of Mauro's arrival in Indonesia quickly spread after PSSI Executive Committee member Arya Sinulingga posted a video on his personal Instagram. The clip shows the young striker visiting the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) headquarters to greet and meet with federation officials. This image immediately caught fans' attention as Zijlstra is seen as a promising talent who could add depth to the national team's attack.

According to plans, after arriving in Indonesia, Mauro Zijlstra will complete administrative procedures at the Dutch Embassy in Jakarta to handle necessary paperwork for changing his nationality. This step is crucial before the 2004-born player officially becomes an Indonesian citizen and can represent the national team.

Zijlstra was born in Zaandam, Netherlands, on November 9, 2004. He carries Indonesian blood through his maternal grandmother, who is of Sunda origin from Bandung (West Java). Mauro’s father also has mixed Indonesian and Dutch heritage, making him fully eligible for Indonesian citizenship under current laws.

At the club level, Zijlstra currently plays for a team in the Netherlands and has the opportunity to feature in this season’s Eredivisie. Gaining experience in Europe’s top football environment will provide him valuable skills, which will be a significant advantage for Indonesia’s national team if he is called up.

Coach Gerald Vanenburg hopes Mauro Zijlstra’s arrival will bring fresh momentum to the U23 Indonesia attack during the 2026 U23 Asian qualifiers. As Indonesian football intensifies efforts to naturalize players to strengthen the team, Zijlstra is expected to become a key piece alongside other young stars to help the U23 squad advance further.

Mauro’s decision to represent the national team of his grandmother’s homeland has been widely supported by fans. With technical skills honed in the Netherlands and a strong desire to contribute to Indonesian football, this 20-year-old striker is expected to become a standout name in the near future.