Welber Jardim absent from ASEAN Cup U-23 2025, here’s why club won’t release him

Welber Jardim – a Brazilian-Indonesian descent player representing Sao Paulo U-17 – is not included in Indonesia’s U-23 national team squad for ASEAN Cup U-23 2025.

Indonesia U-23 national team manager, Ahmed Zaki Iskandar, revealed that Jardim’s absence is related to the tournament’s non-FIFA status – making his club reluctant to release the player.

Jardim previously strengthened Indonesia’s U-17 national team at the U-17 World Cup 2023 and was selected for Indonesia’s U-20 national team that will compete in the U-20 Asian Cup 2025.

Coach Gerald Vanenburg must seek other alternatives to fill the position that should have been occupied by the talented young player in ASEAN Cup U-23 2025.