Make History! Frans Putros Becomes the First Active Player From an Indonesian Club at the World Cup.

Persib Bandung defender Frans Putros has been named in Iraq's squad for the 2026 World Cup. The club nicknamed Maung Bandung is the only BRI Super League side that will have a player feature at the 2026 World Cup final tournament.

Frans Putros is listed on the 26-man roster selected by head coach Graham Arnold. This versatile defender also makes history as the first active player contracted to an Indonesian club to ever receive a call-up for a World Cup finals.

This achievement stands as a historic milestone for Indonesian Football. Previously, the domestic league has hosted a number of players with World Cup experience: Roger Milla, Emmanuel Maboang Kessack, Mario Kempes, Pierre Njanka, and Michael Essien.

However, all of these players joined Indonesian clubs only after they had already appeared at football's biggest global tournament.

Putros will travel to the World Cup as an active registered Persib Bandung player, the side he joined after leaving Port FC in mid 2025.

In his first season with the club, the Denmark-born player helped Maung Bandung claim the 2025/2026 Super League title.

On the international stage, Putros is an established figure for Iraq. Since making his debut in August 2018, the 32-year old has earned 26 caps for the national side known as the Lions of Mesopotamia.

Putros previously represented Iraq at the 2019 Asian Cup, 2023 Asian Cup, and the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. He has also faced off against the Indonesia National Team on multiple occasions.

Now the greatest challenge of his international career lies ahead. Iraq, who qualified for the World Cup via the inter-confederation playoff round, have been drawn into Group I alongside Norway, France and Senegal.

Beyond this historic achievement, Persib Bandung is also set to receive financial benefits. Through the FIFA Club Benefits Programme, World Football's governing body provides compensation to clubs that release players for national team duty at the World Cup.

"The FIFA Club Benefits Programme provides compensation to clubs that release players to represent their country at the World Cup," FIFA officially stated.

This programme was designed as recognition for clubs that contribute to player development up to senior international level.