What is the primary requirement for a player to be eligible to play for a national team?

For a player to represent a national team, the primary requirement is that the player must hold the legal nationality of that country. Nationality is a legal status that grants individuals certain rights and privileges within that nation, including the right to participate in its sports teams. This rule ensures that only players who are officially recognized as members of a nation can play for its national team, promoting a clear identity and allegiance to the country represented.

While residency may influence a player's eligibility under specific circumstances or provide pathways to citizenship, it is not the primary condition for national team eligibility. Similarly, being born in a country may confer citizenship, but it is not a guaranteed requirement as citizenship laws vary and players may acquire nationality through other means. Membership in a local club might be a prerequisite for playing at certain competitive levels, but it does not directly affect eligibility for national team selection. Therefore, holding legal nationality remains the essential criterion for a player’s eligibility to compete internationally for a national team.