FIFA’s regulations allow players to change the national team they represent under certain conditions.
Inter Milan striker Ange-Yoan Bonny is the latest high-profile player to make a switch, moving from France to Ivory Coast ahead of this summer’s World Cup. Ivory Coast are participating in the tournament, meaning Bonny could feature if selected.
To switch nations, players must be eligible to represent the country they are moving to. FIFA outlines five distinct scenarios where a nationality change is permitted.
A rule introduced in 2021 allows players who have made up to three senior international appearances before turning 21 to switch nations. Previously, players could not change once they had played a senior competitive match.
England midfielder Declan Rice benefited from this rule, switching from the Republic of Ireland after earning three senior caps in friendlies. Similarly, former Chelsea striker Diego Costa swapped from Brazil to Spain in 2014 after two friendly appearances for Brazil.
Ange-Yoan Bonny had represented France at under-21, under-20, and under-19 levels [Getty Images]
While FIFA sets the guidelines for nations and players regarding nationality switches, each of the 211 member associations is responsible for ensuring their registered players are eligible.
The five circumstances under which a player can switch nationalities are:
1. The player has only represented their former country at youth level and was already dual-registered with the new country.
2. The player has only represented their former country at youth level, was not dual-registered, their last youth appearance came before turning 21, and they meet FIFA’s eligibility guidelines (Article 6 or 7).
3. The player made senior appearances for their former country but was dual-registered with the new nation at the time of their debut, has not played for the former country since turning 21, has made no more than three senior appearances, at least three years have passed since their last appearance, and they have not played in a major tournament for their first nation.
4. The player wishes to represent a nation that was not a FIFA member when they debuted for their former country, has not played for the first nation since the second became a member, was either dual-registered or obtained nationality as soon as reasonably practical, and meets Article 6 or 7.
5. The player made a senior appearance for their first nation but permanently lost that nationality without consent due to government authority, and holds the association they wish to represent.
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