What are Fifa's rules on switching nationalities?

What are Fifa's rules on switching nationalities? ByJonty ColmanBBC Sport journalistPublished30 September 2025Updated 5 minutes agoFifa's rules allow a player to switch the nation they represent for a number of reasons.Inter Milan striker Ange-Yoan Bonny is among the latest players to officially switch nations, transferring from France to Ivory Coast ahead of this summer's World Cup.Ivory Coast are competing at the tournament, meaning Bonny could feature if called up to the squad.In order to do so, players must be eligible to play for the nation they are switching to.There are five different sets of circumstances in which a player is eligible to switch nations.A new rule introduced in 2021 allowed players who had played up to three senior international caps prior to the age of 21 to switch nations.Previously, the rule stated that players could not switch nations once they had earned a senior cap in a competitive match.England midfielder Declan Rice benefited from this rule when switching from the Republic of Ireland. Rice won three senior caps for the Republic, all of which came in international friendlies, before opting to instead play for England in 2019.Former Chelsea striker Diego Costa also swapped nations to Spain in 2014, having played for Brazil in two friendly matches in 2013.Get in touchSend us your questionsContact formContact formHow can a player switch nationalities?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ange-Yoan Bonny had represented France at under-21, under-20 and under-19 levelsWhile Fifa sets guidelines for nations and players in their rules on switching nationalities, it is ultimately the responsibility of all of Fifa's 211 members to individually ensure the players they are registering are eligible.There are five different sets of circumstances in which a player can become eligible to switch nationalities.The player has played for the country they are leaving only at youth level and was already dual-registered to the countr...