What stipulation must a player meet regarding their nationality to change their association for representation?

To successfully change their association for representation, a player must have held the nationality of the new association at the time of their last match. This requirement ensures that a player's representation aligns with their current legal status and affiliation with a national football association. By having the nationality at that specific time, the player demonstrates a connection to the new association, which is essential in the context of international football governance.

This stipulation exists to maintain the integrity of player representation and to prevent circumstances where a player might switch associations based solely on performance or convenience without having a legitimate association link. It emphasizes the importance of a player’s legal nationality during their most recent competitive involvement, making it a crucial factor in the process of changing associations.