Four Diaspora Footballers Officially Become Indonesian Citizens

KBRN, Jakarta: In a move signaling Indonesia’s strategic push to elevate its football talent pool, four diaspora players were officially sworn in as Indonesian citizens at the Indonesian Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands, on Friday, August 29, 2025.

The four diaspora footballers are Mauro Nils Zijlstra (20), Isabel Corian Kopp (23), Pauline Jeannette van de Pol (22), and Isabelle Nottet (22). Their citizenship ceremony follows a Presidential Decree issued by President Prabowo Subianto, granting nationality to the four athletes.

“This moment reflects the nation’s strong commitment to strengthening the foundation of Indonesian football through diaspora talent with fighting spirit and international quality,” read a statement from the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) in Jakarta, as quoted by antaranews.com.

Mauro, a striker for FC Volendam, was initially projected for Indonesia’s U-23 squad. However, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Chairman Erick Thohir confirmed that the 20-year-old will be trialed with the senior national team ahead of the upcoming FIFA Match Day fixtures against Taiwan (September 5) and Lebanon (September 8) at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium in Surabaya.

“With Ole Romeny sidelined due to injury, Mauro’s arrival helps fill a gap in our attacking line. He’ll be given a chance to prove himself with the senior squad,” Erick said during a media briefing at Sarinah Mall on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the three newly naturalized female players—Isabel, Pauline, and Isabelle—are set to become integral to the long-term development of Indonesia’s women’s national team.

Their inclusion aligns with PSSI’s broader vision: breaking into the world’s top 50, reaching the top 10 in Asia, qualifying for every AFC Women’s Asian Cup final round, and securing a spot in the FIFA Women’s World Cup by 2035.

With the four players now officially Indonesian citizens, only one diaspora athlete remains in the naturalization pipeline: Miliano Jonathans, a left winger for FC Utrecht in the Dutch Eredivisie. ***