Mauro Zijlstra has officially obtained Indonesian citizenship after taking the oath of allegiance at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in The Hague, Netherlands, on August 29.
Alongside Zijlstra, three naturalized players for the Indonesian women’s national team also secured citizenship: Isabel Kopp, Pauline Jeannette van de Pol, and Isabelle Nottet.
“This oath-taking ceremony is a follow-up to the Presidential Decree issued by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, granting citizenship to the four players,” the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) said in an official statement received by CNN Indonesia.
The federation added, “This moment underscores the state’s strong commitment to strengthening the foundations of national football through diaspora talents who embody fighting spirit and international quality.”
For FC Volendam player Zijlstra, his new status paves the way for him to join Indonesia’s U-23 national team, which faces several key competitions before the end of the year. His presence at the heart of Garuda Muda’s defense is expected to bring added stability and boost competitiveness at the Asian level.
Meanwhile, the three diaspora players—Isabel, Pauline, and Isabelle—are projected to play an integral role in the long-term project for Indonesia’s women’s national team. They are expected to contribute toward ambitious goals: breaking into the world’s top 50, climbing into Asia’s top 10, qualifying for every edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, and ultimately reaching the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035.