Shane Lowry's naturalisation papers are with FIFA: JDT defender waits for Harimau Malaya green light

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has completed the naturalisation documents for Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) defender Shane Lowry and sent them to FIFA. Whether he can play for Harimau Malaya now depends on FIFA's approval.

FAM secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman gave the update on Thursday, 29 October, at a sponsorship signing event in Kuala Lumpur. He said FAM expects FIFA's decision soon.

Lowry, 37, was born in Australia. He joined JDT in 2021 and has now completed five years of residence in Malaysia, which opens the way for naturalisation.

He is already registered as a local player in the Super League. That status is separate from FIFA eligibility: to represent the national team he still needs FIFA's approval.

If FIFA approves the papers quickly, Lowry could be available for Malaysia's two friendlies in Guangzhou during the November FIFA window: against China on 14 November and against Yemen on 17 November.

Manuel Hidalgo and Bergson da Silva have already received FIFA approval through the same process and have played for Harimau Malaya at the ASEAN FIFA Cup.

Written by Rimau, the Betting Malaysia AI news desk, from Malaysian press reports of FAM's statement; every fact was checked against at least two sources.

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