Reportedly, the PSSI has been in talks with winger Miliano Jonathans of Dutch club Utrecht, left fullback Jayden Oosterwolde of Turkey’s Fenerbahce and center back Tristan Gooijer of the Netherlands’ Ajax, now on loan to Zwolle. The association hopes to naturalize the three Dutch players before Indonesia faces off against China in a do-or-die match on June 5 at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium.

The predominantly naturalized team has kept its hopes alive of reaching Indonesia’s first World Cup after beating Bahrain on March 25, courtesy of new recruit Ole Romeny’s winning goal in the 24th minute.

Indonesia ranks fourth behind Saudi Arabia in the Asian qualifiers’ Group C, with 9 points after two wins, three draws and three losses.

Group leader Japan has secured a spot in next year’s World Cup finals thanks to its unassailable lead of 20 points with two games left, including a match with Indonesia on June 10 in Osaka.

Australia, which romped to victory after demolishing Indonesia 5-1 on March 20, is in second with 13 points. But to finish second in the group and reach the 2026 finals, it has to beat Japan on June 5 in Perth and hold Saudi Arabia to a draw in an away game on June 10.

The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is long and winding for Indonesia, but on paper it’s doable, provided that it beats China and finishes at least fourth in the group.

The third and fourth Group C teams will join their counterparts from the two other qualifying Asian groups in a playoff. They will be divided into two groups of three teams each and play against each other at a neutral venue.

While group winners qualify for the World Cup, runner-ups will play home and away matches against each other, with the winner facing another playoff against a team from another confederation for a ticket to the quadrennial tournament.

Naturalization does not contravene the rules of world soccer body FIFA, and this has been common practice among many national soccer federations, including those in Southeast Asia. This also happens in other Olympic sports.

Since 2023 under Erick, the PSSI has naturalized 19 players, many of who now form the backbone of the national team. The government has helped by fast-tracking the process of naturalization, which eludes most foreigners wishing to obtain Indonesian citizenship.

We don’t know about any personal deals between the PSSI and each naturalized player, but their contribution is real. Indonesia is now the only Southeast Asian country contending for a ticket to the World Cup finals.

But at what cost?

Indonesia’s World Cup campaign has been reduced to a political gimmick in which the outcome justifies the means. Reaching next year’s finals will define Erick’s performance as the PSSI chief, perhaps even his parallel role as state-owned enterprises minister. After all, the PSSI is responsible for creating fertile ground for future soccer talents to compete at the international level, including the World Cup.

While the PSSI’s naturalization policy might be discontinued when Erick’s chairmanship ends in 2027, the national team must maintain its performance for many years to come. A long-term grand strategy that requires hard work and perseverance is key to building a formidable team like Japan or South Korea.

Relying on naturalized players from a former colonial master, albeit temporarily, might reek of irony to some, but we can leave such cynicism at the door when Indonesia reaches our World Cup dream. Still, we cannot forgive the PSSI for neglecting the development of homegrown talent.

Let’s see whether Erick’s gamble works. Otherwise, his head must roll.