PETALING JAYA — Argentine-born winger Manuel Hidalgo is a step closer to making his long-awaited Harimau Malaya debut after FIFA cleared the documentation for three players, paving the way for their international eligibility.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) received the clearance from FIFA headquarters in Zurich yesterday, ending days of uncertainty over Hidalgo’s status ahead of Malaysia’s upcoming international commitments.
FAM secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman confirmed the development at a press conference following the association’s extraordinary congress today, saying the official list of cleared players would be released soon.
“Regarding the documentation for Harimau Malaya players, we received the clearance from FIFA yesterday,” Noor Azman said.
“We will release the official list of names very soon, likely tomorrow.”
The development comes after FAM earlier confirmed that Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) duo Bergson da Silva and Brad Tapp had fulfilled the necessary eligibility requirements, while Hidalgo’s documentation was still being verified.
Noor Azman said three players had been included in the latest application, while experienced defender Shane Lowry was not submitted because of an injury.
“Lowry was not applied for because he is injured. It is only three players for now, and we are just waiting on the passport clearance with the relevant FA,” he said.
Hidalgo, who was born in Argentina, has been among the players whose eligibility was under scrutiny as FAM worked to finalise its options for interim national coach Tan Cheng Hoe.
His clearance gives Cheng Hoe another attacking option ahead of Malaysia’s upcoming international assignments, although his actual debut will depend on his selection for the national squad.
Meanwhile, Noor Azman said he would first check the details of Kuala Lumpur City defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco’s application for Malaysian naturalisation before providing an update on his status.
“Regarding Gallifuoco, let me check first and obtain the detailed information because there may be a slight technical issue with his application,” he said. — September 17, 2026