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<p>From Mexico to Japan</p>
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<p>We have created a comprehensive overview of the foreign player regulations across various leagues worldwide. Thanks to the dedicated research by <em>Transfermarkt's</em> international team, we’ve analyzed these rules in numerous leagues, ranging from Japan to Brazil, Belgium to South Africa. The findings reveal significant variations in each country's approach, with some leagues allowing unrestricted access for foreign players, while others implement strict limitations to safeguard local talent. A comparison of the foreign player regulations in the top leagues reflects notable differences between Europe and other regions.</p><br/>
<p>While the foreign player limit tends to be more flexible in the most prestigious and financially robust leagues globally, stricter regulations can be found in other competitions. In Europe’s leading leagues, free movement of players is generally facilitated within the European Union (EU), with the primary restrictions applying to players from outside the EU. Additionally, various leagues establish specific regulations aimed at protecting domestic athletes and providing opportunities for emerging football talent.</p><br/>
<h3>Foreign player regulations in Europe</h3><br/>
<p><strong>England:</strong> The Premier League does not impose a direct limit on foreign players. However, clubs may include a maximum of 17 non-homegrown players in their 25-man squad, necessitating that at least eight players are homegrown in England. To classify as homegrown, a player must have been affiliated with an English Football Association club for three years prior to turning 21.</p><br/>
<p><strong>Italy:</strong> Serie A does not have a direct cap on foreign players, yet a quota system exists for those from outside the EU. Additionally, out of a 25-man squad, eight must be players who have been trained in Italy, with at least four coming from the club’s own youth system. Engaging in Italian football for three years between the ages of 15 and 21 qualifies players as trained in Italy, even if this time is not continuous. Furthermore, clubs are allowed to add a maximum of two new players from non-EU countries during the season.</p><br/>
<p><strong>Spain:</strong> LaLiga has similar regulations, allowing each club to sign a maximum of three non-EU players. There are no restrictions for players coming from EU member countries, making this rule particularly significant for South American talent.</p><br/>
<p><strong>France:</strong> Ligue 1 permits four foreign players from outside the EU, while players from African nations under the Cotonou Agreement enjoy exemptions, allowing those from France's former colonies to participate freely.</p><br/>
<p><strong>Germany:</strong> The Bundesliga’s rules focus on nurturing domestic players and youth development. Clubs must include at least 12 German players, and among these, eight must be homegrown, with four originating from the club’s own academy and the other four from other clubs within the same federation.</p><br/>
<p><strong>Netherlands:</strong> The Eredivisie does not restrict the number of foreign players per club. However, a specific salary criterion applies to non-EU transfers, requiring clubs to pay a mandated minimum wage to them.</p><br/>
<p><strong>Portugal:</strong> The Portuguese league has no strict limit on foreign players; however, clubs must have a minimum of eight players trained locally in their matchday squads. For clubs with a B team, this requirement increases to ten, effectively limiting the number of foreign players allowed.</p><br/>
<p><strong>Belgium:</strong> The Jupiler Pro League lacks a maximum limit on foreign players, but clubs must include homegrown talent in their squads. Each match must feature at least six players trained in Belgium, a qualification that does not require Belgian citizenship—players are eligible if they have played for a Belgian club for three years before turning 23.</p><br/>
<p><strong>Poland:</strong> Since the 2019/20 season, there have been no restrictions on EU players, and likewise for those from outside the EU. As a result, the Polish league has become completely open to foreign signings.</p><br/>
<p><strong>Austria:</strong> Clubs can register a maximum of seven foreign players in their match squad. Exceeding this limit does not incur a financial penalty but results in the club losing financial support from the Bundesliga. Some teams, such as Red Bull Salzburg and Sturm Graz, occasionally field more foreign players at their own risk.</p><br/>
<p><strong>Romania:</strong> The Romanian league restricts teams to a maximum of three non-EU players. These players must have national team experience, and each team is obliged to field at least one eligible Romanian U21 player in every match.</p><br/>
<p><strong>Greece:</strong> In Super League 1, clubs can include as many EU players as desired, but there is a limit of seven non-EU players. The regulations are stricter in Super League 2, where teams must feature at least six Greek players during matches and can field a maximum of five non-EU players simultaneously.</p><br/>
<p><strong>Turkey:</strong> Clubs may register up to 14 foreign players on their first-team roster, with at least two needing to be born on or after January 1, 2003. By the 2026-2027 season, this requirement will raise to four. The first-team squad can consist of up to 28 players, with at least 14 eligible for the Turkish national team, and at least two of the goalkeepers must be local.</p><br/>
<h3>Foreign player regulations in North and South America</h3><br/>
<p><strong>Canada & the USA:</strong> Major League Soccer regulates foreign players not through strict quotas, but via "international player slots". Each team has around eight slots that can be traded among teams. By 2025, a total of 241 international player slots will be allocated across the league’s thirty clubs. For U.S. teams, players with citizenship, a Green Card, or special status are regarded as domestic, while Canadian teams must feature at least three Canadian players in their squads. Additionally, Canadian teams can evaluate foreign players under certain conditions outside of these slots.</p><br/>
<p><strong>Mexico:</strong> Teams in the Mexican league can register a maximum of nine foreign players. Only eight can be included in the match squad, and a maximum of seven foreign players can be on the field simultaneously. This policy has been gradually reduced since the 2022/23 season, with a fixed limit of nine established for the 2025/26 season.</p><br/>
<p><strong>Brazil:</strong> There are no restrictions on foreign transfers; however, clubs are limited to fielding a maximum of nine foreign players in any match. For instance, Grêmio has twelve foreign players on its roster, which forces them to leave at least three on the bench for each game.</p><br/>
<p><strong>Argentina:</strong> Clubs can sign six foreign players, but only five are permitted in the matchday squad at any one time, thereby necessitating that at least one foreign player must be excluded from each match.</p><br/>
<p><strong>Colombia:</strong> Teams are limited to four foreign players, with a maximum of three allowed to be on the pitch simultaneously.</p><br/>
<h3>Foreign player regulations in Asia</h3><br/>
<p><strong>Japan:</strong> Japan lifted its foreign player registration limit in 2019. However, a matchday limit still applies; in the top-tier J1 League, clubs can field a maximum of five foreign players, while J2 and J3 allow for four. Notably, players from partner countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia are exempted from this limitation.</p><br/>
<p><strong>India:</strong> In the Indian league, clubs may register up to six foreign players, but only four can be on the pitch simultaneously. Furthermore, regulations specify that at least one of the foreign players must hail from a country affiliated with the Asian Football Confederation.</p><br/>
<p><strong>Indonesia:</strong> In Indonesia, a unique system is in place, allowing teams to have a total of eleven foreign players—seven on the field, two on the bench, and two not in the matchday squad. This regulation took effect in the 2025 season.</p><br/>
<p><strong>Russia:</strong> Russian clubs are allowed to register thirteen foreign players, with eight being permitted on the pitch at any given time. This number will be reduced to ten starting in 2026. Players from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan are exempt from these restrictions.</p><br/>
<p><strong>Saudi Arabia:</strong> Recent years have seen a progressive relaxation of foreign player regulations in Saudi Arabia, with the previous limit of seven being increased first to eight and then to ten. Under the new rules, clubs can sign ten foreign players, with eight allowed to play and two designated for the bench. This change, initiated by the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, aims to elevate the attractiveness of Saudi football.</p><br/>
<h3>Foreign player regulations in Africa</h3><br/>
<p><strong>Algeria:</strong> The regulations here are rather stringent. Clubs may have a roster of 27 players, but only four can be foreign.</p><br/>
<p><strong>Libya:</strong> In Libya, the limit is slightly more lenient. Teams can have a squad of 25 players, with a maximum of seven being foreign players. This restriction applies universally, regardless of nationality.</p><br/>
<p><strong>South Africa:</strong> South African clubs are allowed to have up to five foreign players in their squads. This limit is applied without any regard to age or nationality and is designed to promote the development of local players within the league.</p><br/>
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