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FIFA Could Alter Rule Regarding Cap-Tied Players Switching National Teams

GENEVA (AP) — FIFA is helping soccer players switch eligibility and represent a second national team with a planned rule change announced Wednesday.

The proposal gives hope to players who are eligible for multiple countries but fell out of favor at their first national team, where they are bound after just a single minute of playing time in a competitive game.

The new wording would let players switch eligibility if they played a maximum of three times for the first national team–including tournament qualifying games–before they turned 21, and at least three years earlier.

The new rule will take effect next month if 211 national federations approve it at the Sept.