SEAToday.com, Jakarta - Joey Mathijs Pelupessy, Dean Ruben James, and Emil Audero Mulyadi officially became Indonesian citizens (WNI).

This certainty was after the three players took the oath and pledge of citizenship at the Indonesian Embassy in Rome, Italy, on Monday (10/3).

PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir appreciated and expressed his gratitude regarding the speedy naturalization process of the three players who are currently needed by the Indonesian national team in two matches in the third round of World Cup qualifying 2026 against Australia on 20 March and Bahrain on 25 March.

“Alhamdulillah, today Joey Mathijs Pelupessy, Dean Ruben James, and Emil Audero Mulyadi have taken the oath as Indonesian citizens to strengthen the Indonesian national team,” said Erick Thohir.

“Thank you Mr. President General TNI (Purn) Prabowo Subianto, Chairman of the House of Representatives, Leaders and Members of the House of Representatives, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Law and all those who have helped and supported the acceleration of the oath of these three players for the Indonesian National Team,” he added.

Erick added that these three players have already processed their ID cards and passports. Furthermore, these three players will carry out the federation transfer process so that they can strengthen the Indonesian national team.

“The presence of Joey, Dean and Emil will certainly add to the strength of the Indonesian national team when they meet Australia and Bahrain later. Of course their joining will add to the choices and variations in formation that coach Patrick Kluivert will apply. In addition, the depth of the team is also more complete,” added Erick Thohir.

In the citizenship oath process, PSSI representatives were attended by Executive Committee member Arya Sinulingga and a number of Ministry of Law officials such as Nico Afinta (Secretary General of the Ministry of Law), Moh Noor Korompot (Staffus Menkum), Yadi Heriyadi Hendriana (Staffus Menkum), Akhmad Ali Fahmi (Staffus Menkum), Adam Muhammad (Staffus Menkum), Widodo (Director General of AHU), and Dulyono (Director of AHU State Administration).

Pelupessy currently plays for Belgian club Lommel SK, while Dean James plays for Go Ahead Eagles of the Dutch League, and Emil Audero plays for Italian club Palermo FC.

In the 2026 World Cup qualifying round, Indonesia is in third place in the Group C standings with six points. The Garuda squad is one point behind Australia in second place and 10 points behind Japan who top the standings.

The Indonesian national team will have two further matches in the third round of Group C of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, namely against Australia on March 20 in Sydney and hosting Bahrain on March 25 at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta.