What is not a condition for a player's eligibility to change their association according to FIFA rules?

The process for a player to change their national association under FIFA rules includes several key conditions that ensure the integrity of international representation. One such condition is that the player must have held the nationality of the new association at some point. This emphasizes the importance of a genuine connection between the player and the country they wish to represent. Hence, this condition is indeed valid according to the regulations governing changes in association eligibility.

In contrast, the other options outline various restrictions that players must navigate if they aim to change their representation. For example, if a player has previously participated in a FIFA tournament, it may influence their eligibility. Additionally, the stipulation that a player must not have played more than three full international matches pertains to ensuring that players do not represent multiple national teams extensively before switching. Finally, the requirement that at least three years have elapsed since their last match serves to regulate the transition and provide a cooling-off period for international players.

These conditions underscore FIFA’s framework for nationality and representation, ensuring that players have strong ties to the country they seek to represent.