World Cup sidelights: Citizenship issues

CEBU, Philippines - Under FIFA rules, players may switch allegiance and play for their country of choice provided they are citizens of their adoptive country (in this case have dual citizenship/passports) and they have not represented their original country in tournaments at the senior level.

Loosely explained, you might be playing for the Azkals’ Under-17 and Under-20 teams and at some point you get recruited by Lionel Messi to play for Argentina.  FIFA expressly states that players may only change countries of their preference or convenience only once.  Just like basketball and any other team sport, most countries look far and beyond to grab talent.  Of course, if the price is right.

The most famous recruit for the Brazil WC is Diego Costa.  Costa is Brazilian but qualified to play for Spain (and get eliminated) by spending five years at the Spanish capital and playing for La Liga champion Atletico Madrid.  Another Brazilian who previously donned red for Spain was Marcos Senna and played a major role in the Euro 2008 title squad.

Since the US men’s senior team to the World Cup is handled by German football legend Jurgen Klinsman, he brought along four German-born players, sons of US servicemen stationed there.  Two other players on the squad were born in Norway and Iceland.

Algeria-born Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri play for the French national team.  The most famous Algerian who played for the red, white and blue was Zenidine Zidane.

Check the teams of Belgium, Netherlands, Italy and Switzerland.  There is an abundance of African-born footballers.  Our Azkals?  The only full-blooded Filipinos on the team are on the coaching staff assisting the foreign coach and the utility guys.  But who cares, as long as we’re doing well and the country is well represented. (FREEMAN)