Soccer fans and viewers of the sport begin to love specific teams because they admire certain players. It can create a hiccup when players switch countries and teams. Like many, you’re probably wondering why they play for countries other than their own.
Soccer players play for other countries because they get bought over by another team, they have more than one citizenship, or their parents or grandparents hold nationality in other countries. Specific rules also allow players to switch to other national teams under particular circumstances.
Diego Costa is the perfect example of a player who switched national teams. After representing Brazil twice but not making their World Cup squad, he wholeheartedly accepted Spain’s offer to be their striker. How can a soccer player do that? Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
- Can Soccer Players Play For Other Countries?
- 5 Reasons Soccer Players Play For Other Countries
- Conclusion
Can Soccer Players Play For Other Countries?
The simple answer here is yes. Not only can soccer players play for other countries, many famous players like Wilfried Zaha, Fernando Amorebieta, and Ivan Rakitic, amongst others, made the national team switch for various reasons when they were allowed.
Soccer players can play for other countries in national teams and club associations. The reasons it is allowed are different on both ends, but possible and done in many instances.
Most people are aware of club association switches. This often depends on offers and requests the players receive from various clubs. Sometimes it can be a switch due to better payout, while other times, it’s due to the end of contracts or disagreements and change is needed.
Viewers and soccer fans primarily question the national team switches. Let’s explain why some players play for countries other than their own.
5 Reasons Soccer Players Play For Other Countries
When you consider the national team changes that have been made over the years, it is easy to question why it is possible and shouldn’t soccer players only play for their national team. There are interesting reasons, as listed below:
The Player Has Duel Citizenship
A common reason soccer players play for other countries is that they have dual citizenship. A player can play for a specific country if they have citizenship for that country. Some players were born in one country and brought up in another after migration.
If they have nationality for their birth country and the one they live in, they are allowed to play for either. Most players start their careers playing for the country they grew up in and later switch to make the national team of their birth country.
Wilfried Zaha moved to London at age four but was born in the Ivory Coast. That made him eligible for both national teams. He played for England until Ivory Coast convinced him to switch, and he has been with them ever since.
The Player’s Direct Lineage Has Nationality In A Country
A soccer player with a direct lineage with multiple nationalities (parents or grandparents from different countries) can get permission to play for one of those national teams.
Sometimes a player starts his career playing for the country he grew up in and later finds out his grandmother has nationality in another country. That player may choose to switch national teams under those circumstances.
Jack Grealish, born and raised in England, qualified to play for Ireland through his grandparents and stayed with the team through to U-21. He declined a call-up for the senior level and played for England U-21. After a four-year wait, he is currently a member of the England team.
Rules Allow Players To Switch National Teams
Apart from the soccer player’s (or their family’s) nationality, other specific FIFA rulings allow a player to switch national teams and play for other countries. Some of those rules are:
- The player could change national teams from the senior level if they did not play more than three competitive senior matches before age 21.
- They could switch national teams from the senior level if they did not play in the final stage of an official tournament.
- They can change from the senior level if three years have passed since their last senior appearance for their previous national team.
Historically, a player could only switch national teams if they held the new nationality at the time of their first appearance of their old/current national team. New rules state that they can switch even if they didn’t, granted that they played the old team before age 21.
Another circumstance is if a player loses their nationality (becomes stateless) against their will, then a competitive cap will not keep the player tied to a national team, and the player can switch.
Under these regulations, many players choose to play for other countries if they can.
Disagreements
Disagreements happen in every business. And professional soccer is as much a business as mainstream workplaces. In every business setting, there can be disagreements.
Soccer players can change national teams if there are any hiccups, tension, or unfairness in their team. They can only switch if they meet the requirements, but disagreements often drive players to change countries.
If a player is unhappy, feels he is being mistreated or unfairly benched, or there are racism issues, the player will not want to remain with their old/current team and try to switch to another team where they have or can get nationality.
The Decision Is Cynical
Many people don’t understand when soccer players switch national teams because their decisions are purely cynical. Earlier, we mentioned Diego Costa. His decision was because he wanted access to the World Cup.
Sometimes the decision is based on prioritizing family, making travel easier, or because another team offers more money. Soccer players will choose to play for another country if it suits what they want or needs and if the change is possible under the rules for switching national teams.
Conclusion
Now you can get more details about soccer teams, like where to play – US or Europe and learn more about soccer positions for beginners.
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