Kevin Diks has been officially cleared to participate in the third round of the AFC World Cup Qualifiers between Indonesia and Japan. This exciting news was confirmed by the Chairman of PSSI, Erick Thohir.
Diks completed his naturalization process on Friday (8/11) at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Denmark, securing his eligibility to represent the Indonesian national team.
In addition to Thohir’s confirmation, According to CNN Indonesia, Indonesian national team coach Shin Tae-Yong also mentioned that Diks will be included in the squad for the highly anticipated match against Japan on Friday (15/11) at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta, with kickoff scheduled for 19:00 WIB.
Strengthening Indonesia’s Defense
Kevin Diks, who has Maluku heritage through his grandparents, is expected to bolster Indonesia’s backline alongside captain Jay Idzes and Rizky Ridho. His inclusion comes at a crucial time, as fellow defender Mees Hilgers is sidelined due to injury, ruling him out of the match against Japan. Along with Diks, other defensive options include Justin Hubner and Jordi Amat, giving Indonesia strong depth in defense.
Despite initial doubts about whether Diks could represent Indonesia in time for the Japan match, the swift naturalization process, coordinated by the Indonesian government and relevant authorities, has ensured his availability. This rapid action has brought a sigh of relief to the team and its supporters.
A Valuable Addition to Indonesia’s Lineup
Diks' presence is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s defense significantly. As a Danish club FC Copenhagen player, Diks brings invaluable experience, having competed at the highest level, including in the UEFA Champions League. His defensive prowess, combined with his versatility in playing as a left-wing back, offers Indonesia both stability and a potential attacking outlet.
Kevin Diks’ career highlights speak for themselves. Born in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, Diks has enjoyed a successful professional career. Before establishing himself as a key player for FC Copenhagen, he played for Feyenoord Rotterdam, where he won the Johan Cruijff Shield in 2017 and the KNVB Cup in the 2017-2018 season.
He also helped Vitesse Arnhem secure the KNVB Cup during the 2016-2017 season. In addition to his accomplishments in Dutch football, Diks had stints in Italy’s Serie A with clubs such as Empoli and Fiorentina.
At FC Copenhagen, Diks has continued to shine, winning consecutive Danish Superliga titles in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, along with the Danish Cup in 2022-2023. This season, Diks has already scored four goals in the Danish league, an impressive feat for a defender, highlighting his versatility and offensive capabilities.
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Indonesia’s Quest for World Cup Qualification
According to PSSI’s official website, Indonesia is preparing for two crucial home matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. After the clash with Japan on 15 November, they will face Saudi Arabia on 19 November, both matches taking place at the iconic Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta. Currently, Indonesia sits in fifth place in Group C with three points, the result of three draws and one loss.
PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir has set a clear target for Indonesia to finish fourth in the group, which would see them progress to the fourth round of the AFC World Cup Qualifiers. With strong support from their fans in these home games, the Garuda squad is hopeful of achieving positive results and keeping their World Cup dreams alive.
