Jakarta. Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Chairman Erick Thohir aims for Mees Hilgers and Eliano Reijnders to join the national team for two crucial away matches in the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers against Bahrain and China in October.

Both players, currently playing in the Dutch Eredivisie, are expected to complete their naturalization process in time to be registered between September 20 and 24.

“We have about four to five days, from Sept. 20 to 24, to register them,” Erick said on the sidelines of the 2024 National Sports Week (PON) in North Sumatra, Sunday. “If we miss the deadline, they won’t be able to play in October.”

Sold-Out Stadium Awaits as Indonesia Battles Australia in World Cup Qualifiers

Hilgers and Reijnders, who trace their Indonesian heritage to their mothers from Manado and Maluku, are scheduled to meet with Commission X of the House of Representatives (DPR) on Sept. 17, followed by further proceedings with Commission III.

If both commissions approve, their naturalization will proceed to the State Secretariat for a presidential decree, before they take their oath at the Law and Human Rights Ministry.

Hilgers, born on May 13, 2001, is a professional footballer of Indonesian descent. He currently plays as a center-back for Eredivisie club Twente. Hilgers has expressed his desire to join the Indonesian national team and is eager to represent the Garuda squad. 

Eliano Johannes Reijnders Lekatompessy, born on Oct. 23, 2000, is a Dutch professional footballer. He plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Eredivisie club PEC Zwolle. Eliano's older brother, Tijjani Reijnders, is also a professional footballer, currently playing for AC Milan.