FAM President addresses concerns over Malaysia national team’s naturalized players

Datuk Mohd Joehari Ayub, President of Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), has addressed public concerns regarding the status of naturalized players in the Malaysian national team.

This statement comes after Malaysia’s national team — now strengthened by many new faces — recorded a surprising 4-0 victory over Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Harimau Malaya’s historic victory — which came after a decade-long winless streak against Vietnam — has drawn attention due to the presence of several new naturalized players.

The public questions FAM’s different approach from before — now bringing in players with Spanish and Argentine heritage, unlike the previous period which preferred naturalizing players already established in Malaysia’s domestic league.