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Can I play on any national soccer team I want to?
I was born in Bosnia and raised in the U.S. Can I play for either country?
In simple terms, according to FIFA rules, you may play for:
the country you were born in; or- if your grandparent was born in a given country, you are eligible to play for that country; or
- if you are married to a citizen of another country, you may play for that country; or
- if you are a naturalized citizen (live and work) in a country, you may play for that country.*
*Originally the 4th rule stated that players had to have reached 18 years old and have lived in the country for 5 consecutive years, but that rule has been relaxed lately due to the young age of players.
In general, the final say comes from FIFA and/or the governing body for soccer for the country in question.
I want to play for el salvador but I don’t know how to contact them
Hi Matthew,
Unfortunately, I don’t know how to reach them either. Good luck in your effort.
Coach James