Revised commentary provides practical guidance on application and interpretation of FIFA’s eligibility rules, reflecting jurisprudence up to 30 June 2026
Updated guide clarifies when eligibility or change-of-association requests are required and what information and documentation must be submitted
Both publications reflect current Football Tribunal framework and practice
FIFA has published a new edition of the Commentary on the Rules Governing Eligibility to Play for Representative Teams and an updated Guide to Submitting a Request for Eligibility or a Change of Association, providing Member Associations and other football stakeholders with practical guidance on FIFA’s national team eligibility framework.
The latest commentary offers a detailed explanation of how FIFA and the Football Tribunal apply and interpret the eligibility rules. It takes into consideration the latest Football Tribunal and Court of Arbitration for Sport jurisprudence since the previous edition in 2021, including decisions issued up to 30 June 2026.
Among other topics, the commentary provides further guidance on when a nationality is considered to be held, residence and interruptions to residence, present-day territorial criteria, the meaning of “A” international level matches and the different scenarios in which a player may change association.
A particular focus is placed on the principle of the so-called ‘genuine link’ requirement. While this is not a new requirement, the commentary provides greater clarity on its application as an established element of FIFA’s eligibility framework. In circumstances where a genuine link is required, holding the nationality of a country is not in itself sufficient: the player must also have an objectively identifiable connection to the territory of the relevant Member Association through birth, descent or residence.
The updated guide complements the commentary by providing practical guidance on the procedures for submitting requests to the Players’ Status Chamber of the Football Tribunal. It sets out when a change-of-association request is required, when an eligibility request or eligibility confirmation request may be appropriate, and what documentation and information must be provided in each case.
Both publications reflect the current Football Tribunal framework, including the submission of requests through the FIFA Legal Portal and the requirement to submit requests at least 15 days before an international window. They aim to further enhance transparency about FIFA’s regulatory framework for all stakeholders.