Picture the scene.
Russia. The 2018 World Cup. England against Germany in the final. Still 0-0 after 90 minutes. Gareth Bale steps up from a free-kick and smashed home to end 52 years of hurt.
In another life it could have happened. Now FIFA is making steps to make it easier for players to switch their international allegiance.
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The current ruling states that a player is tied down after one competitive game.
That’s how Wilfried Zaha, who played two friendlies for England, was able to switch to the Ivory Coast.
You’re also able to change if you played international games for youth sides, as was the case with Victor Moses who played for England up to Under-21 level before switching to Nigeria.
But now FIFA is considering changing the rules.
FIFA’s Victor Montagliani said: “There are so many issues that have popped up. The world is changing.
“Immigration is changing. There are nationality issues that pop up all over the world – in Africa, (and) there are issues in Asia and Concacaf.
“So it’s a good time to have a look at this and see if there are solutions without hurting the integrity of the game.”
This news hasn’t gone down too well with supporters, who can already see how a country might be able to exploit the ruling.
And the timing, with Qatar 2022 around the corner, has also raised eyebrows.
Our opinion, for the little that it’s worth, is that this is actually quite a sensible decision from FIFA in light of what’s going on in the world.
And if it means we can work the system and get all the best players to turn out for England, who are we to complain?*
*WE DO NOT ENDORSE CHEATING IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM
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