The 2025/26 UEFA Europa League group stage kicks off between September 24–26, bringing fans 18 matches across Europe. This year’s edition is particularly exciting for Indonesian football, as three Indonesian national team players are in line to make their debuts on this prestigious stage, marking the first time multiple Indonesians will feature in the same Europa League season.
The three players are Calvin Verdonk (Lille), Dean James (Go Ahead Eagles), and Miliano Jonathans (FC Utrecht).
While Mees Hilgers became the first-ever Indonesia international to play in the Europa League last season with FC Twente, this year represents a milestone moment — never before have three Indonesian players been involved in the competition simultaneously.
Verdonk is widely expected to start for Lille against Norway’s SK Brann on September 25. His direct competition, Romain Perraud, is sidelined with an ankle injury sustained against Lens, and head coach Bruno Genesio has not confirmed whether Perraud will recover in time.
“We’ll have to wait and see if he’s available on Thursday,” Genesio said. Should Perraud miss out, Verdonk is the clear favorite to start at left-back — especially after an impressive individual display against Lens despite Lille’s 3-0 defeat.
Dean James is also tipped to start as Go Ahead Eagles face Romanian giants FCSB on the same night. The left-back remains first choice under coach Melvin Boel and has already played six Eredivisie matches this season. This campaign marks both Dean James’ and Go Ahead Eagles’ first-ever appearance in the Europa League proper, having qualified by winning last season’s KNVB Cup.
Previously, Go Ahead Eagles’ only experience at this level was the 2015/16 Europa League qualifiers, while their most recent continental action came in last year’s Conference League second qualifying round.
Like Verdonk and James, Miliano Jonathans is in line for a Europa League debut as FC Utrecht face French giants Lyon. The winger, who had roots in the West Javan city of Depok, played a key role in Utrecht’s qualification, helping them past Zrinjski Mostar in the playoffs. Though not always a starter, Miliano has made three Eredivisie appearances this season and recently impressed for Jong Utrecht in the Eerste Divisie — giving him a strong case for minutes against Lyon.
Together, these three players represent an unprecedented Indonesian presence on one of Europe’s biggest club stages — a sign of the nation’s growing influence in top-level football.