Taisei Marukawa has received an official call-up to the Indonesia national team and is scheduled to arrive in Bali on Monday night, CNN Indonesia reported.
Sumardji, chairman of the national team body BTN, confirmed the arrival schedule for the Dewa United midfielder. Head coach John Herdman also included defender Mees Hilgers in the squad for the training camp. Sumardji noted that the foreign-based contingent traveling to the island includes players arriving from the Netherlands alongside domestic options.
Marukawa is pursuing Indonesian citizenship through the five-year residency route after building a career in the domestic league since 2021 with Persebaya Surabaya, PSIS Semarang, and Dewa United. In a previous interview with Transfermarkt reported by VIVA.co.id, the 29-year-old player estimated his naturalization would conclude within two weeks.
During his time with Persebaya Surabaya, he made 32 appearances with 17 goals and 10 assists, followed by 63 appearances, 11 goals, and 18 assists with PSIS Semarang, and 70 appearances with 10 goals and 17 assists for Dewa United.
“Proses naturalisasinya memang masih menyisakan beberapa langkah lagi tetapi karena TC kami diadakan di dalam negeri itu tak masalah,” ujar Herdman kepada Kompas.com pada Sabtu, 7 November 2026.
The training camp in Bali serves as an evaluation window during a period without international fixtures. Indonesia’s scheduled matches for the November 9–17 FIFA window were canceled due to security considerations in the Middle East.
“Marukawa is called up now so John can see how Marukawa plays and how to integrate him into the team so the chemistry is there,” Sumardji said. If paperwork concludes in time, Marukawa could feature for the Garuda squad at the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia, which runs from January 7 to February 5, 2027, an assignment where he holds the ambitious personal target of lifting the continental trophy.
Speaking to ILeague, Marukawa expressed his readiness to wear the red-and-white jersey. “Of course it is there.”
The midfielder also pointed to club teammate Egy Maulana Vikri as a preferred partner for international play. “Right now there is Egy, my teammate now, we are close friends. So it would feel nice to be able to play together with him in the national team,” Marukawa added.
Teammate Ivar Jenner noted that Marukawa frequently watches national team fixtures and holds a strong connection to the country.
“Indonesia has also become a part of his heart because he has played here for five years and likes this country,” Jenner told Bola.com, while emphasizing that selection choices rest entirely with the coaching staff. Other regular national team figures such as Rafael Struick also feature within the broader roster framework.
Twenty-three players reported to the Bali United Training Center for the seven-day camp. Captain Rizky Ridho confirmed his arrival alongside several Persija Jakarta club colleagues following domestic league fixtures.
The squad continues training in Bali through November 17, 2026, as Herdman assesses player fitness and prepares tactical options ahead of continental competition.
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