February 18 – FIFA has launched a new digital platform listing all approved changes of association, promising a new era of transparency in international football governance – or at least in this particular corner of it.
Live and fully updated as of 1 January 2025, the platform aims to clarify player eligibility and serve as a central resource for national associations, clubs, players and agents.
A change of association allows a footballer to switch their sporting nationality, enabling them to represent a different national team if they meet FIFA’s eligibility criteria. The process has often been a source of debate, particularly in high-profile cases such as Aymeric Laporte’s switch from France to Spain or Declan Rice’s move from the Republic of Ireland to England.
By publicly listing all approved nationality changes, FIFA hopes to eliminate ambiguity and ensure all stakeholders are well-informed. Previously, information on these switches was scattered, sometimes leading to confusion over a player’s status. The new platform centralises this data, providing a regularly updated record of all approved requests.
FIFA emphasises that players undergoing the change-of-association process cannot represent their new national team until a final decision is made, reinforcing the integrity of the system. The move aligns with FIFA’s wider efforts to improve transparency, though the organisation’s definition of transparency often seems to depend on the subject matter.
While FIFA is keen to showcase its governance initiatives, its commitment to openness has been called into question, particularly in light of its handling of the 2034 World Cup. The swift awarding of the tournament to Saudi Arabia, without a proper bidding process, raised eyebrows – as has FIFA’s reluctance to acknowledge human rights concerns surrounding stadium construction.
Still, with international tournaments such as the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, this platform should provide national teams with greater clarity when considering player selections.
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