International football on the brink of change: A comprehensive guide to the FIFA eligibility vote

During the next full council meeting, the organization will hold a vote to decide on the regulations for players switching 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?

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.

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.

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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. 

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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.