International football set for shake-up: Here's everything you need to know about the FIFA eligibility vote

The FIFA logo at FIFA's Zurich headquarters in 2017
FIFA are set to tweak the rules on eligibility on international football (Image credit: Alamy)

FIFA are set to take a decision on changing the rules around eligibility in international football.

At the organisation's next full council a vote will determine how players are able to switch between national teams in the future. 

If passed, it could make it easier for players to switch nations later in their career, presuming they meet the other normal criteria. 

What rules are FIFA looking at changing?

Declan Rice England

Declan Rice switched his eligibility from Ireland to England back in 2018 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Under the current system, FIFA rules state that a player is cap-tied to a nation if they play more than three matches for that national team, including at least one competitive appearance, before they are 21 years old.

Once a player is cap-tied to a nation they cannot switch allegiance. This is known as the Rule of 21.

Diego Costa in action for Spain against Chile at the 2014 World Cup.

Diego Costa played for the country of his birth, Brazil, twice before switching to represent Spain in 2014 (Image credit: Getty Images)

However, the FIFA council meeting will vote on the prospect of upping the age to 22 years, from 21.

This means a player would only be cap-tied if they played the three games, including one competitive, before turning 22.

In addition, youth games would not count towards this rule at all, should the proposal be passed. The third element to the proposal would see the five-year rule to naturalise a player be reduced to four years.

In 2020, FIFA approved a rule change that allowed players to apply to play for their country of residence for five years or more, providing they not played for their 'home' country at senior level. 

VIDEO The ONLY Way Man City Can Survive Without Rodri

If passed, a player could play for their country of residence, providing they had lived there for four years and met the other criteria. 

Should the FIFA council vote these changes through, then 'doing a Jack Grealish' and switching football allegiance could be a lot more common than it was previously. 

It is not the only shake-up to international football planned by the governing body - who have announced the introduction of longer international breaks from 2026 onwards.

TOPICS
Jack Lacey-Hatton
Freelance writer

Jack has worked as a sports reporter full-time since 2021. He previously worked as the Chief Women’s Football Writer at the Mirror, covering the England Women’s national team and the Women’s Super League. Jack has reported on a number of major sporting events in recent years including the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on the ground in Australia. When not writing on football, he can often be spotted playing the game somewhere in west London.

Read more
Scotland captain Andy Robertson looks on during the Euro 2024 match against Switzerland in Cologne, Germany
Scotland, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland finally learn their World Cup 2026 qualifying opponents
A general view of the UEFA Champions League trophy at the UEFA Champions League Draw for the 2008/2009 season at the Grimaldi Center on August 28, 2008 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Champions League knockout rounds set for key change following huge overhaul of format: report
WIGAN, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 08: James Carragher of Wigan Athletic during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Wigan Athletic and Fulham at Brick Community Stadium on February 08, 2025 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Carragher gains citizenship to play for shock European nation
England's German head coach Thomas Tuchel attends a press conference at Wembley in north London on March 14, 2025, as he announces his first squad ahead of world cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)
'I’m not a start-stop player – it is so hard for me to influence a match from the bench and then be on the bench again, and then two weeks later I start again': Thomas Tuchel reveals what England star told him following squad announcement
FIFA president Gianni Infantino ahead of the 2026 World Cup
FIFA president Gianni Infantino announces groundbreaking change to World Cup 2026 final - but it could prove hugely controversial
Nations League
UEFA Nations League 2024/25: Format, fixtures, results, groups and everything you need to know
Latest in Stories
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Latest in News
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move