What is one requirement for a player to change representation according to FIFA regulations?

For a player to change representation according to FIFA regulations, one of the critical requirements is that their last match for their former association must have occurred before they turned 21. This stipulation is rooted in the idea of protecting young athletes and ensuring that they can make career decisions without being bound by potentially restrictive agreements made in their adolescence.

This requirement provides a safeguard that allows young players the opportunity to explore different representation options as they transition into professional football, especially as they begin to establish their careers. It recognizes that players under the age of 21 are still in formative stages of their development and may benefit from new representation to better suit their evolving career paths.

In this context, other options do not align with FIFA's regulations regarding representation changes. For instance, participation in the FIFA World Cup or needing to have played for youth teams of the target association is not a stipulated requirement. Additionally, the requirement that a player must not have represented the national team in any capacity does not align with FIFA rules either, as players can still change representation after participating in national teams under specific conditions.