Talented: Scottish Fergus Tierney (centre) is among the recent mixed-heritage players who have donned the national jersey.
PETALING JAYA: The Harimau Malaya squad could soon feature fresh faces with mixed-heritage players, most likely from Spain, in future international matches.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) have confirmed that the process of obtaining Malaysian citizenship for four mixed-heritage players is now in the hands of the government.
The final approval for these players is pending, while documentation for four additional players is still being completed.
“FAM express their gratitude to the Malaysian government for their support in enhancing the quality of the Harimau Malaya team,” the governing body said in a statement.
Earlier this month, Johor Regent and Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who is overseeing the national team project, said via his social media channels that they had identified six to seven mixed-heritage players from Southern Europe.
He also urged the government to expedite the process of issuing passports so the players could participate in upcoming international matches.
While FAM and Tunku Ismail have yet to disclose the players’ names, speculation suggests that most of them hail from Spain.
The national squad, led by new head coach Peter Cklamovski is set to kick off the Asian Cup 2027 Qualification campaign with their first Group F match against Nepal in Kathmandu on March 25.
Over the years, Malaysia have welcomed several mixed-heritage players, who have donned the national jersey.
Notable names include Spanish brothers Kiko and Natxo Insa (midfielders); Australians Brendan Gan (midfielder), Matthew Davies (fullback), Quentin Cheng (wingback) and David Rowley (midfielder); Englishmen Stuart Wilkin (midfielder), Daniel Ting (wingback) and Darren Lok (striker); Belgian Dion Cools (wingback); Canadian La’vere Corbin-Ong (wingback); Scottish Fergus Tierney (striker); and Finland’s Nooa Laine (midfielder).
