Ange-Yoan Bonny switches from France to Ivory Coast ahead of 2026 World Cup

FIFA’s nationality-switching rules allow players to represent new nations under specific eligibility conditions.

FIFA allows nationality changes FIFA permits players to change the nation they represent under clearly defined rules. Inter Milan striker Ange-Yoan Bonny recently switched from representing France to Ivory Coast, becoming eligible to play for the latter ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Ivory Coast qualified for the tournament, giving Bonny the chance to be called into their squad. To make such a switch, players must meet FIFA’s eligibility criteria for the new nation they wish to represent. ## Five ways players qualify to switch FIFA outlines five distinct scenarios where a player can become eligible to change national teams. One pathway allows players who earned up to three senior international caps before turning 21 to switch nations, a rule introduced in 2021. Previously, players were barred from switching after earning a single senior cap in a competitive match. England midfielder Declan Rice used this rule to switch from the Republic of Ireland to England in 2019 after earning three senior caps for Ireland, all in friendly matches. Former Chelsea striker Diego Costa also switched to Spain in 2014 after playing two friendly matches for Brazil in 2013. ## How players meet eligibility requirements FIFA sets the overall guidelines for nationality changes, but each of its 211 member associations is responsible for verifying a player’s eligibility before registration. The five eligibility pathways are structured around the player’s past international appearances and their connection to the new nation. These include scenarios involving youth-only appearances, dual registration status, age thresholds at the time of switching, and changes in national affiliation due to geopolitical changes. Players must strictly adhere to FIFA’s player eligibility guidelines, specifically articles six and seven, to qualify under most pathways. ## Detailed pathways for switching nations The first eligibility pathway covers players who competed for their former nation only at youth levels and were already dual-registered with the nation they wish to join. The second applies to players who appeared only in youth matches for their current nation, were not dual-registered, made their last appearance for their current nation before age 21, and meet FIFA’s article six or seven criteria. A third pathway permits switching if a player made senior appearances for their current nation but was dual-registered with the new nation at the time of their debut, has not played for the current nation since before turning 21, has no more than three senior caps for that nation, and has not featured in a major tournament for their original team. ## Additional scenarios for eligibility The fourth pathway allows players to switch if the nation they wish to represent was not a FIFA member when they first played for their current nation. They must not have played for their original nation since the new nation joined FIFA, and must have either been dual-registered or obtained nationality with the new nation promptly. The fifth and final pathway applies when a player loses their original nationality involuntarily due to government action and holds an association with the nation they now wish to represent after having played senior matches for their first country. ## More football rule explanations All you need to know about the Champions League final rules and regulations. Stats may help identify potential Championship play-off winners. Teams that have qualified for next season’s Champions League based on recent results. Points needed to secure Premier League survival have been analyzed by pundits.