Altalariq Erfa Aqsal Ballah faces a career decision after receiving a call-up from the Liberia national football team while maintaining his desire to represent Indonesia, detikSport reported.
The 25-year-old Dewa United left-back has eligibility through his parents. Born and raised in Tangerang, Indonesia, he qualifies for the Garuda squad through his Indonesian mother, while his father, Anthony Jomah Ballah, is a former Liberia international.
The Liberia Football Association issued a call-up letter for Alta Ballah on October 20, according to an interview with Anthony Jomah Ballah cited by BolaSport and Kompas. The documentation was received by the player, his manager, and his club, Dewa United, to prepare him for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers.
Liberia is scheduled to play a two-legged series against Cape Verde in Group K. The first fixture takes place away on November 13, 2026, followed by the return match on November 18, 2026.
Despite the official approach from the Football Association of Indonesia, the player’s name did not appear in the initial roster published by the Liberian federation for the November FIFA Matchday window, as noted by CNN Indonesia, indicating he may initially be brought in for training or evaluation.
Indonesian football authorities stated they have not received formal notification regarding the defender’s international switch. Sumardji, chairman of the National Teams Board, addressed reporters in Jakarta on November 9, 2026.
Until this second, we from the federation, I from the BTN have not received information,
Sumardji said, as reported by detikSport. This is just getting info from friends.
Sumardji indicated that no immediate plans exist to call the defender into the senior Indonesia squad, leaving the player’s international future open.
Alta Ballah stated that he continues to prioritize an opportunity with the Indonesian national team, despite having never featured for the senior squad. He previously attended a training camp under former head coach Shin Tae-yong in 2021.
/data/photo/2025/07/09/686d70d31b4e5.jpeg "Photo: Kompas")
For now, I still want to prioritize Indonesia because we believe the opportunity to defend the Indonesian National Team is still open,
Ballah said in a written statement cited by CNN Indonesia. I want to fight for that opportunity first.
The defender developed through the Indonesian domestic system. After playing for several local clubs, he made his professional debut with Persita Tangerang during the 2021/22 Liga 1 season. He subsequently spent a season with Persebaya Surabaya before joining Dewa United ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
Anthony Jomah Ballah confirmed that his son discussed the situation with him and his manager before making his stance clear. The player’s father played three matches for the national team during his career. Historically, several foreign players from the African nation have featured in the domestic competition, including Zah Rahan Krangar, who earned a reputation for his technical ability while playing for Sriwijaya FC and Persipura Jayapura.
Indonesia is very close to me because I was born and raised here, so of course there is a very strong bond with this country,
Ballah stated.
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