FIFA Allows Maarten Paes to Play for Indonesian National Team, Can Appear in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Jakarta, Todaysgist.com – The Indonesian national team received good news because FIFA has approved goalkeeper Maarten Paes to play for the Red and White. This means that the goalkeeper who is currently playing for Dallas FC can defend the Indonesian national team in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers which will begin in September.

As reported by lahatpos.co, a member of the Disway and B-Universe networks, Indonesia can breathe a sigh of relief, the mainstay goalkeeper Maarten Paes can join the Indonesian National Team.

FIFA approved the process of Maarten Paes’ citizenship transfer from the Netherlands to Indonesia. Amazingly, the Dutch football federation also assisted Maarten Paes’ process at the FIFA CAS arbitration court hearing.

After hearing statements from PSSI and the Dutch football federation, FIFA agreed to let FC Dallas goalkeeper join Indonesia. Maarten Paes’ trial took place at the CAS FIFA arbitration court in Paris.

From the statement of the Maarten Paes trial, FIFA only needs to process the administration of Maarten Paes. The official announcement and administration of Maarten Paes are scheduled by FIFA most symbolically on August 18, 2024.

Thus, the 26-year-old goalkeeper can join the fight to defend Indonesia which is trying to appear in the 2026 World Cup. In this third round, Indonesia is in Group C with Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and China.

Paes himself has taken the oath as an Indonesian citizen at the end of April 2024. However, his action to defend the Indonesian National Team was postponed because he had defended the Netherlands. After the trial Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) which will be held on August 15, 2024, he will be allowed to defend the Indonesian National Team.

Among the participating countries in Group C, only Indonesia and Bahrain have never appeared in the World Cup. Indonesia’s struggle in the third round of the World Cup qualification will begin on September 5, 2024, by visiting Saudi Arabia. Indonesia will begin its action as host when it hosts Australia on September 10, 2024.

The final match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers will be held on June 10, 2025. At that time, Indonesia will visit Japan. The group winners and runners-up will directly qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The third and fourth place occupants will play in the fourth round to compete for the remaining tickets.