Erick Announces Naturalization of Ole Romeny, Remains Committed to Building Strong Team for World Cup

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian Football Union (PSSI) General Chairman finally announced the naturalization process of Ole Romeny, a day after getting a reporter's question.

Ole Romeny is a striker for FC Utrecht. He was caught on camera watching live the match of Indonesia against Japan in the fifth match of Group C of the Third Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifier Asia Zone at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Friday (16/11/2024).

“I can't comment yet,” Erick Thohir told the media after the Indonesia vs Japan match, which the Blue Samurai won 4-0.

But on Saturday (16/11/2024) evening, Erick finally announced the move to naturalize Romeny to defend the Indonesian national team through his Instagram account. But different than before, this time there was no handshake or greeting.

“Different styles once in a while. With five games left including against Saudi Arabia a few days away, we need the same confidence to realise our big dream together. That hope is still there for those of us who are willing to fight wholeheartedly. Thank you Ole who still believes in Indonesia's ambition to perform at the World Cup,” Erick wrote in the caption of a photo of him sitting with Romeny in a munjuk pose.

Previously circulated on social media X, a photo of undergoing medical tests at Cibubur area hospital, East Jakarta.

The photo was one of the strong signals that the 24-year-old will soon be naturalised and part of Indonesia's national squad.

Earlier, Erick had just introduced two players to be naturalized, Tim Geypens and Dion Markx, who are projected to strengthen the U-20 team.