Recently, coach Peter Cklamovski informed that the Malaysian national team may be able to complete the naturalization procedures for 2 foreign-born players to strengthen the force before important matches in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.
This move took place when the group of 7 naturalized players was previously still awaiting a ruling from the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on February 26.
According to the plan, Malaysian football returns to the long-term residence-based naturalization model.
The most recent naturalized player to reside is striker Jordan Mintah, of Ghanaian origin. Although he was summoned earlier, he has not had many opportunities to play due to injuries and concerns about the risk of being heavier penalized by FIFA if he continues to use naturalized players in a sensitive period. However, the personnel addition strategy is still being implemented quietly.
In addition, 2 new names in the upcoming naturalization category are striker Bergson da Silva (Brazilian) playing for Johor Darul Ta'zim and defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco (Australian origin) of Kuala Lumpur City.
Both have played in Malaysia since 2021 and meet the residency requirement of over 5 years according to FIFA regulations. They are expected to have Malaysian passports in time to participate in the match against the Vietnamese national team on March 31.
In a local media exchange, coach Cklamovski said that paperwork is underway, with the goal of completing player registration ahead of schedule on March 23. He also confirmed that midfielder Arif Aiman Hanapi will not be able to participate due to recent surgery for injury.
In addition to the two cases above, Malaysia is also monitoring some other foreign-born players. Defender Manuel Hidalgo is expected to qualify for naturalization in April, while midfielder Nacho Mendez is also in the process of completing procedures. Both are under contract with Johor Darul Ta'zim and are in the long-term personnel plan of the national team.
