FIFA’s regulations permit players to change the national team they represent under specific conditions.
Inter Milan striker Ange-Yoan Bonny is among the latest players to officially switch nationalities, moving from France to Ivory Coast ahead of this summer’s World Cup. Ivory Coast have qualified for the tournament, meaning Bonny could feature if called up to the squad.
To make such a switch, players must be eligible to play for the new nation. There are five distinct scenarios under which a player may change national teams.
A 2021 rule change allows players who have made up to three senior international appearances before turning 21 to switch nations. Previously, a player could not switch after earning a senior cap in a competitive match.
England midfielder Declan Rice benefited from this rule when he switched from the Republic of Ireland. Rice earned three senior caps for Ireland, all in friendlies, before opting to represent England in 2019.
Former Chelsea striker Diego Costa also swapped nations to Spain in 2014, having played two friendlies for Brazil in 2013.
Image source: Getty Images
Caption: Ange-Yoan Bonny had represented France at under-21, under-20 and under-19 levels.
While FIFA sets the guidelines, it is ultimately the responsibility of each of its 211 member associations to ensure the players they register are eligible.
The five circumstances under which a player can become eligible to switch nationalities are:
* The player has only played at youth level for the former country and was already dual-registered with the new country.
* The player has only played at youth level, was not dual-registered with the new country, their last youth appearance for the former country came before age 21, and they meet article six or seven of FIFA’s player eligibility guidelines.
* The player made senior appearances for the former country, was dual-registered with the new country at the time of their debut, has not played for the former country since before turning 21, has made no more than three senior appearances for the former country, three years have passed since their last appearance, and they have not played for the former country at a major tournament.
* The player wishes to represent a nation that was not a FIFA member when they debuted for the former country, has not played for the former country since the new nation became a member, obtained nationality or dual-registration with the new country as soon as reasonably practical, and meets article six or seven.
* The player has played a senior match for the first nation but permanently loses that nationality without their consent due to government action, and holds the association they wish to represent.