Indonesian football changes shockingly, 'suffocating' domestic players

TPO - After the latest meeting, the Indonesian National Championship organizing committee decided that each club participating from the 2025/26 season is allowed to sign... 11 foreign players.

"The regulations have been communicated to all clubs. From next season, each team will be allowed to register a maximum of 11 foreign players. Of these, eight will be on the field at the same time," said Ferry Paulus, the league's general manager.

The foreign player quota in Indonesia has increased significantly compared to last season (register 8, use maximum 6). 6 foreign players playing together is already a huge number compared to the average level in Southeast Asia, but from next season, Indonesia will increase the quota to an even more terrifying number.

This change allows teams to freely increase their squads, improve the quality of the tournament and turn the Indonesian National Championship into a favorite destination for foreign players from all over the world . But on the contrary, it also stifles the opportunities of domestic players.

Foreign players will flood Indonesia

It would not be surprising if, from next season, many teams use a maximum of 8 “mercenaries”, leaving room for only 3 domestic players. And that change will further cause domestic players to lose their place in their own country.

Compared to other national championships in Southeast Asia, Indonesia is probably the most liberal with foreign players. Thailand only allows a maximum of 7 players per match with 2 from Asia and 5 from other continents, Malaysia is 7 and the Philippines is 5. Meanwhile, although the regulations have been relaxed, Vietnam still only applies a quota of 4 foreign players per team, with a maximum of 3 players on the field.

Countries generally aim to balance the number of foreign and domestic players, except Indonesia. Thus, from the national team to the club level, players from the archipelago will have more difficulty getting a chance to play.

Dang Lai

Source: https://tienphong.vn/bong-da-indonesia-thay-doi-soc-bop-nghet-cau-thu-noi-dia-post1758332.tpo