Taisei Marukawa has submitted the required documents to begin the independent naturalization process to become an Indonesian citizen, opening up the possibility of representing the national team after five years playing in the country.
Five Years in Indonesia Lead to Citizenship Application
The 29-year-old Japanese midfielder, who currently plays for Dewa United, has handed over all required paperwork and is awaiting further approvals. Marukawa previously played for Persebaya Surabaya and PSIS Semarang after arriving in the country. Under Article 9 of Law Number 12 of 2006 regarding Indonesian citizenship, foreign nationals who have resided in the country for five consecutive years are eligible to apply for a change of citizenship, as noted by CNN Indonesia.
“I cannot explain the process in detail, but I have submitted the necessary documents and am currently waiting for approval,” Marukawa said at the Dewa United Arena in Tangerang. “I have lived in Indonesia for five years and truly fell in love with this country. Everyone is very friendly, and spending time in Indonesia makes me feel happy.”
FIFA Eligibility and the Absence of Indonesian Heritage
Unlike many diaspora players who have joined the Garuda squad through ancestral bloodlines, Marukawa holds no familial ties to Indonesia. Because of this, his citizenship application follows the independent residency track rather than the fast-track recommendations typically coordinated through PSSI for players with Indonesian heritage.
Under FIFA Statute Article 7, players who acquire a new nationality without ancestral ties must meet specific residency and regulatory criteria before they are cleared to represent a new member association in official international matches.
Comparison With Previous Independent Naturalization Timelines
CNN Indonesia cited the case of Marc Klok, who initiated his naturalization paperwork in March 2019. Klok’s application required more than a year and a half before receiving approval from the House of Representatives (DPR RI) in October 2020, culminating in his official oath-taking ceremony on November 12, 2020.
With the 2027 AFC Asian Cup scheduled to begin in Saudi Arabia on January 7, 2027, and run through February 5, the timeline leaves less than three months before tournament kickoff, making an immediate appearance for the upcoming continental competition unrealistic according to CNN Indonesia. Instead, reports suggest that Marukawa’s potential availability aligns more realistically with future qualification cycles, such as the path toward the 2030 FIFA World Cup, where the Indonesia national team is placed in Pot 3 and faces a potential draw on Tuesday, December 15, 2026, against opponents such as the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, and Singapore.
Broader Roster Shifts Across Liga 1
Marukawa’s paperwork coincides with citizenship inquiries and applications from other foreign standouts playing in Indonesia’s top tier. Suara reported that players such as Jordy Wehrmann, Ciro Alves, and David da Silva have also navigated various stages of citizenship discussions or documentation. While Wehrmann possesses Indonesian ancestry and began administrative steps earlier, players like Ciro Alves and David da Silva explored residency-based consultations through regional legal offices, highlighting a broader trend of foreign league veterans seeking to establish permanent roots in the country, with Ciro visiting the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law of North Maluku alongside club representatives in December 2025.
For Marukawa, completing the legal and sporting transition remains the immediate hurdle, but the player emphasized the personal significance of the milestone. “My biggest dream is to be part of the Indonesian National Team,” Marukawa said. “Being able to play for Indonesia would be a very great honor for me.”
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