FIFA are ‘considering’ drastic rule changes to all club teams that, as it stands, Liverpool would struggle to abide by.
While the rule change is still a long way from being ratified, there are plans being contemplated that would significantly alter the landscape of youth development.
Under a proposed new law, teams would be obliged to have at least one homegrown under-21 player on the pitch at all times.
“The plan, said by sources to be aimed at helping the development of young players, will now be put to different bodies within football before a formal proposal is submitted to FIFA’s Council next year,” reported the *Times*‘ Martyn Ziegler.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Friday, December 15, 2017: Liverpool's Under-18 manager Steven Gerrard watches with former player Steve McManaman and Academy Director Alex Inglethorpe during the Under-23 FA Premier League 2 Division 1 match between Liverpool and Swansea City at the Kirkby Academy. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“The consultation process for the new proposal was approved by FIFA’s Council meeting in Vancouver and will now go to confederations, national associations, leagues and players’ organisations for feedback.”
Should the rule come in, Liverpool would have to significantly change their approach, placing a greater focus on giving academy players regular minutes rather than fleeting opportunities in cup competitions.
This season, Arne Slot has only started two Premier League games with an under-21 homegrown player in the side: Rio Ngumoha against Tottenham and Fulham.
By contrast, Man City would have complied with the rule 30 times this campaign, thanks to Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly, while Newcastle have started a homegrown under-21 player on 23 occasions.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 28, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
FIFA’s statement on the matter read:
“The FIFA Council unanimously approved a consultation process with all relevant stakeholders for a regulatory obligation that senior club teams are obliged to always have at least one homegrown player from the U20 or U21 category on the field of play, and for the proposal to be submitted to the FIFA Council in the next year.”
Will the rule change actually happen?
Currently, it seems very unlikely that FIFA would be able to get these rules through. Having a homegrown quota of players in the squad is one thing; it is another prospect entirely to impose age-based selection processes on elite football.
A better solution may be to have at least one homegrown player of any age in the team, instead.
Ziegler’s report added that “sources said the idea was raised on Monday night at a meeting with the six confederation presidents, and was given positive backing during the FIFA Council meeting on Tuesday.”
An insider told the Times: “We want to help young players develop and promote homegrown players, and there are many examples of clubs just buying in established stars instead of giving academy players a proper chance.
“There may be considerable opposition but we need to hear from all parts of the game and then this can be taken into account for any proposal that is put forward.”