FIFA Council Advances Mandatory Homegrown Youth Rule
The FIFA Council agreed late Tuesday to develop a formal plan within a year requiring senior club teams to field at least one homegrown Under-20 or Under-21 player during matches. The initiative follows global consultations with stakeholders. FIFA aims to boost playing time for young players developed by clubs amid reliance on imported talent.
The proposed rule would mandate such a player on the field at all times, exceeding current requirements in competitions like the Champions League. Those rules reserve at least eight spots for locally trained players on 25-player squads but impose no obligation to select them for lineups. UEFA defines a locally trained player as one who spent at least three seasons between ages 15 and 21 at the club or another in the same country.
Club competitions currently emphasize squad composition over active participation for youth development.
Stakeholders will consult globally before FIFA finalizes the plan within the next year.
