FIFA Council Advances Mandatory Homegrown Player Rule
The FIFA Council agreed late Tuesday to develop a formal plan within a year for requiring professional clubs to field at least one homegrown player from the Under-20 or Under-21 category in every match. The initiative follows global consultations with stakeholders and targets increased playing time for club-nurtured youth amid reliance on imported talent. FIFA described the proposal as a regulatory obligation for senior teams to always have such a player on the field.
The measure would exceed current requirements in competitions like the Champions League, where clubs must register at least eight locally trained players in a 25-player squad but face no mandate to play them.
UEFA defines locally trained players for the Champions League as those who spent at least three full seasons at the club or another domestic club between ages 15 and 21.
FIFA plans stakeholder consultations before finalizing the rule within the next year.