FIFA Planning New Rule That Could Change How Real Madrid, Man City, & Liverpool Build Teams

Football clubs around the world have always prioritized and been on the watch for the next big talent to add to their roster over the years. However, homegrown players like Kobbie Mainoo, Bukayo Saka, and Phil Foden are some of the players who have shown that investment in homegrown youth development can reap massive rewards.

It appears FIFA is also appreciative of fostering this trend and breeding the next generation of superstars among big clubs like Real Madrid, Man City, and Liverpool through the FIFA new rule. During a recent FIFA Council meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, the world football's apex body has approved an interesting FIFA homegrown player rule explained during the session that would make it mandatory for clubs to field at least one youth player developed within their academy.

According to Diario AS, FIFA is looking to establish a regulatory requirement that club teams always field at least one player developed in their youth academy, belonging to the Under-20 or Under-21 categories.

Why the FIFA Homegrown Player Rule Is Problematic?

The FIFA homegrown player rule could make life a little bit more complex for big clubs that have bought young talent rather than nurturing them. It represents a significant change for teams in their tournaments and competitions, but as a rule rather than a strategy.

While some leagues have already implemented these measures, enforcement, as a rule, is believed to probably unleash chaos in the entire footballing world. Among the clubs in the English Premier League, Newcastle has played U-21 players for more minutes than any other club this season.

Clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool are among the bottom ten clubs in terms of usage of young British talent, which means the FIFA new rule can weigh heavily on their shoulders. According to The Athletic, the world football governing body said in a statement that a consultation process with all relevant stakeholders for the proposed obligation has been unanimously approved by the council, and is set to be submitted to the FIFA Council in the next year.