What is required for a player to represent a new association after it joins FIFA?

For a player to represent a new association after it joins FIFA, they must have not played in any matches for the current association since the new association joined FIFA. This requirement is in place to prevent players from switching their allegiance while already representing one association, which helps maintain the integrity of international competition.

When a new football association joins FIFA, it establishes a pathway for players to represent that nation, provided they meet certain criteria. Specifically, the absence of participation in games for the original association ensures that the commitment to one national team is not undermined by possibilities of dual representation during the transitional period. This rule reflects the FIFA regulations governing player eligibility and the representation of national teams.

The option suggesting that a player must have played for the exact national team of the new association is not applicable; eligibility does not hinge solely on previous appearances for a distinct national team within the framework established by FIFA. Similarly, the idea of automatically obtaining nationality at any time does not align with FIFA's guidelines regarding representation, which are based on actual gameplay and commitment to a national squad. Therefore, the stipulation that a player must not have played for their current association since the new association's entry into FIFA stands as the pivotal criterion for eligibility.