inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo believes that the Indonesian National Football Team is now stronger with the addition of three new players to face the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone.

"Certainly with the three additional players who have officially become Indonesian citizens, this will be a great additional strength for us," said the Minister of Youth and Sports on Wednesday (3/12/2025).

The three mentioned new players are Emil Audeor, Dean James, and Joes Pelupessy who were sworn in as Indonesian citizens in Rome, on Monday (3/10/2025).

Dito hopes that with the new strength, Indonesia can win, at least for the two upcoming matches against Australia and Bahrain.

"The last (match) with Australia (and Bahrain) were drawn. Hopefully with these new strengths we can win," said the Minister Dito.

To the people of Indonesia, Dito asked for moral support for the Garuda team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Indonesia will travel to Sydney to face Australia on March 20, before returning to Indonesia to host Bahrain on March 25.

Next, Patrick Kluivert's team will play two matches, each hosting China on June 5, and visiting Japan on June 10.

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