<![CDATA[ABSTRACT; In recent years, the granting of citizenship to football players has increasingly been used as a tool to strengthen the national team, pursuant to Article 20 of the Citizenship Law. This provision allows the President to grant citizenship to foreign nationals based on their service to or the "national interest" of the state—subject to the consideration of the House of Representatives (DPR)—without requiring the residency period mandated for standard naturalization pathways. This article examines the legal certainty of the phrase "national interest" as applied to the naturalization of football players and proposes criteria to clarify its implementation. The study employs a normative legal approach, analyzing relevant regulations, legal concepts, and naturalization practices. While the law’s explanatory memorandum links "national interest" primarily to extraordinary contributions toward state sovereignty and progress—particularly in the economic sphere—it categorizes athletic achievements under the provision for individuals who have rendered "service" to the state (implying accomplishments already attained). In practice, however, the naturalization of players who have yet to contribute any achievements to Indonesia is often justified under the guise of "national interest." This broadens the scope for interpretation by the government and the DPR in the absence of specific, codified criteria, potentially undermining legal certainty and the clarity of the legal framework. This article proposes six parameters for defining "national interest" in the context of sports-related naturalization: the concrete needs of the national team, the player’s quality and career track record, eligibility under FIFA regulations, the player’s connection to Indonesia, their long-term commitment, and transparency regarding the rationale for the decision—all of which are recommended for inclusion in a government regulation.]]>
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