Indonesia unexpectedly sends a warning to Vietnam's national team ahead of the 2026 AFF Cup

Soon, eight Indonesian naturalized players will come back to play domestically, creating chances to join the 2026 AFF Cup alongside the team from the archipelago.

According to Bola, eight naturalized Indonesian players will soon return to compete in the country's top league, bringing a significant advantage to the Indonesian national team, especially targeting the 2026 AFF Cup — a tournament outside FIFA's calendar.

The latest name is Mauro Zijlstra, a striker contracted with FC Volendam in the Eredivisie. Born in Bandung (West Java), he is reportedly about to join Persija Jakarta, pending completion of medical checks before signing a two-and-a-half-year contract. Zijlstra will become the eighth naturalized player choosing to compete in the BRI Super League for the 2025/2026 season.

Previously, seven other naturalized players have returned home and found new clubs. Jordi Amat and Shayne Pattynama play for Persija Jakarta; Thom Haye, Eliano Reijnders, and Dion Markx joined Persib Bandung; Jens Raven signed with Bali United, while Rafael Struick contracted with Dewa United.

According to Bola, having these players compete domestically helps the Indonesian team solve its biggest challenge in the AFF Cup: personnel. Because the tournament is not on the FIFA calendar, foreign clubs are not obliged to release players, causing Indonesia to often be unable to call up their strongest squad in past AFF Cups. With key naturalized players playing locally, coach John Herdman will have full control over squad selection.

Moreover, having the players compete together in Indonesia allows the national team to easily monitor their form and fitness, while also enhancing team cohesion — a crucial factor in a tournament with a packed schedule like the AFF Cup.

Although some regret that naturalized players should continue playing in European football environments, at this moment, the benefits for the Indonesian national team are undeniable.

Given that Indonesia has never won the AFF Cup despite reaching the finals multiple times, having a full-strength squad is seen as a strategic preparation step, significantly boosting Garuda's chances to compete for the regional championship in the upcoming tournament.

In the 2026 AFF Cup, Indonesia is placed in Group A along with Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, and one of either East Timor or Brunei.