New Fifa ruling gives more flexibility on switching international allegiance

Changes have officially been made by the international governing body on the criteria of players switching national teams

Fifa has adjusted rules governing football players switching international associations after approving amendments to the Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes at the organisation's 70th Congress on Friday.

Earlier this year, Fifa brought up proposals to amend some of its existing statues in light of the coronavirus pandemic, and switching nationalities was among the key topics raised.

Prior to the adjusted rules, a player could only switch nationalities so long they had only played in friendlies and not a single minute of any competitive fixture, which includes qualifiers and international tournaments.