Finally: Audero, Pelupessy, and James Join Indonesia Football National Team

TheIndonesia.co - The Indonesian government has granted citizenship to three football players as part of its commitment to advancing national sports. The official naturalization ceremony took place in Rome on March 10, 2025, with Nico Afinta, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham), alongside Widodo, the Director-General of General Legal Administration, and Acting Charge d'Affaires Tika Wihanasari.

According to Suara.com, the new Indonesian citizens are Emil Audero Mulyadi (Italy), Joey Mathijs Pelupessy (Netherlands), and Dean Ruben James (Netherlands). Nico Afinta emphasized that this naturalization process is not just about changing citizenship but also about building a brighter future for Indonesia’s progress.

Under Indonesia’s Citizenship Law, naturalization is granted based on national interest, particularly to foreigners who have contributed to the country. This process was supported by a government team, including representatives from various ministries and the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI).

The addition of these talented athletes to the Indonesian national football team is expected to help the country perform better in major international tournaments, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, and achieving a top 100 FIFA ranking.

The government remains committed to providing opportunities for athletes of Indonesian descent to represent the nation, with support for fast-tracking naturalization processes to boost national sports achievements.