FIFA Council Pursues Mandatory Homegrown Youth on Field
FIFA's governing council agreed late Tuesday to develop a formal plan within a year for requiring professional clubs to field at least one homegrown Under-20 or Under-21 player at all times during matches. The initiative follows global consultations with stakeholders and seeks to boost playing time for club-nurtured youth amid reliance on imported talent. The proposed rule would mandate such a player on the field of play.
The measure targets senior club teams and aims for a regulatory obligation stricter than current requirements in national and international competitions.
UEFA's Champions League rules, for example, reserve at least eight spots for locally trained players in squads of up to 25. UEFA defines locally trained players as those registered with the club or another in the same association for three full seasons between ages 15 and 21. Those rules apply only to squad lists, not lineups.
FIFA plans stakeholder consultations before finalizing the proposal within one year.
