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From Mexico to Japan
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We have compiled the foreign player rules of leagues from all around the world. Thanks to Transfermarkt's global team, we have examined the foreign player rules of numerous leagues, from Japan to Brazil, from Belgium to South Africa. According to the information we have compiled, each country's policy varies. While some leagues offer complete freedom, others impose strict restrictions to protect local players. Looking at the foreign player rules applied in the world's leading leagues, there are clear differences between Europe and other continents.
While the foreign player limit is flexible in the world's most valuable and high-quality leagues, strict rules are evident in other divisions. Although foreign player rules vary in Europe's leading leagues, free movement is generally protected within the European Union, with the main restrictions applying to footballers coming from outside the EU. In addition, each league introduces its own regulations to protect domestic players and provide opportunities for young footballers.
Foreign player rules in Europe
England: There is no direct foreign player limit in the Premier League. However, clubs can have a maximum of 17 non-homegrown players in their 25-man squad. This means that at least eight players must be homegrown in England. For a player to be considered home-grown, they must have played for a club affiliated with the English Football Association for three years before reaching the age of 21.
Italy: While there is no direct limit on the number of foreign players in Serie A, a quota system is applied for players from outside the European Union. Furthermore, eight of the 25 players in the squad must have been trained in Italy. Four of these eight players must have come through the club's youth system. To be considered as having been trained in Italy, it is sufficient to have played for Italian clubs for three years between the ages of 15 and 21, without necessarily being continuous. In addition, clubs can add a maximum of two new players to their squad during the season. These players must come from countries that are not members of the European Union and therefore from outside the EU.
Spain: The application in LaLiga is similar. Each club can transfer a maximum of three non-European Union players. While there are no restrictions for footballers coming from EU countries, this rule is particularly important for players coming from South America.
France: Ligue 1 allows four non-EU foreign players. However, under the Cotonou Agreement applicable to African countries, players from these countries are exempt from the restriction. This situation allows footballers from France's former colonies, in particular, to play freely in the league.
Germany: The Bundesliga rules appear to be aimed at protecting both domestic players and the youth system. Squads must include at least 12 German footballers. In addition, eight players must have come through the club's youth system. Four of these eight players must have come through the club's own academy, while the other four must have come through the youth systems of different clubs affiliated with the same federation.
Netherlands: There is no quota for foreign players in the Eredivisie. Clubs can include as many foreign players as they wish in their squads. However, a special salary criterion applies only to players transferred from outside the European Union (EU). Clubs must pay the specified minimum wage to players who are not EU citizens.
Portugal: There is no direct foreign player limit in the Portuguese league. However, clubs are required to have at least eight locally trained players in their match squads. For clubs with a B team, this number rises to ten. Therefore, the number of foreign players is indirectly limited.
Belgium: There is no maximum foreign player rule in the Jupiler Pro League either. However, clubs are required to include home-grown players in their squad structure. In every match played in the Jupiler Pro League, clubs must include at least six players who have been trained in the country in their match squad. This definition does not require Belgian citizenship. Players are considered to have met this requirement if they have played for a Belgian club for at least three years before reaching the age of 23.
Poland: There are no restrictions for footballers from European Union countries. From the 2019/20 season onwards, restrictions were also lifted for players from outside the EU. Thus, the Polish league became completely open to foreign transfers.
Austria: Clubs can have a maximum of seven foreign footballers in their match squad. If this limit is exceeded, clubs do not receive a direct financial penalty but are deprived of financial support from the Bundesliga. Some clubs, such as Red Bull Salzburg and Sturm Graz, take this risk and occasionally field more foreign players.
Romania: In the Romanian league, restrictions only appear to apply to players from outside the European Union. Teams can have a maximum of three non-EU players in their squad. These players must also have played for their national team. In addition, each team must field at least one player eligible for the Romanian U21 national team during each match.
Greece: In Super League 1, clubs can include as many European Union players in their squads as they wish. However, the limit for non-EU players is set at seven. The rules are stricter in Super League 2. Teams must field at least six Greek players during the match and can field a maximum of five non-EU players at the same time.
Turkey: Clubs can register a maximum of 14 foreign players on their first-team squad list. At least two of these players must have been born on or after 1 January 2003. In the 2026-2027 season, the minimum number of young foreign players will increase to four. The first-team squad will consist of a maximum of 28 players, at least 14 of whom will be eligible to play for the Turkish national team. In addition, at least two of the goalkeepers must be local. Local young players born in 2005 or later will be eligible to play in matches without being included on the list.
Foreign player rules in North and South America
Canada & the USA: In Major League Soccer, foreign player restrictions are applied not directly through quotas, but through "international player slots". Each team has an average of eight slots, and these rights can be traded between teams. As of 2025, a total of 241 international player slots across the league are distributed among thirty clubs. In US clubs, players with citizenship, a Green Card or special status are considered domestic, while Canadian clubs are required to have at least three Canadian players in their squad. In addition, Canadian representatives can evaluate foreigners who meet certain conditions outside of the slots.
Mexico: Teams in this league can register a maximum of nine foreign players. Only eight of these players can be included in the match squad, and a maximum of seven foreign players can be on the pitch at the same time. This regulation was gradually reduced from the 2022/23 season onwards and was fixed at a limit of nine players for the 2025/26 season.
Brazil: There are no restrictions on foreign transfers in this country. However, clubs can field a maximum of nine foreign players in the same match. For example, Grêmio has twelve foreign players in its squad and is forced to leave at least three of them on the bench for each match.
Argentina: Clubs can sign six foreign players. However, a maximum of five foreigners are allowed in the squad for the same match. Therefore, clubs are forced to leave at least one foreign player out of the squad for each match.
Colombia: Teams can only transfer four foreign players, and a maximum of three of them can be on the pitch at the same time.
Foreign player rules in Asia
Japan: In Japan, the foreign player registration limit has been lifted since 2019. However, an upper limit still applies to the matchday squad. In the top-tier J1 League, clubs can field a maximum of five foreign players, while in J2 and J3, they can field four. However, players from partner countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia are exempt from this restriction.
India: In the Indian league, clubs can register a maximum of six foreign players. Only four of these players can be on the pitch at the same time. Furthermore, regulations require that at least one of the foreign players in the squad must be from a country affiliated with the Asian Football Confederation.
Indonesia: A rather different application is in force in Indonesia. Teams can have a total of eleven foreign players. Seven of these are on the pitch, two are on the bench, and two are in the stands. This rule came into effect in the 2025 season.
Russia: In Russia, clubs can have thirteen foreign players on their squads, and eight of them can be on the pitch at the same time. From 2026 onwards, this number will be limited to ten. Footballers from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan are exempt from this restriction.
Saudi Arabia: In recent years, foreign player rules in Saudi Arabia have been rapidly relaxed. The number of foreign players, which was seven in the past, was first increased to eight and then to ten. Under the new regulations, clubs can transfer ten foreign players. Eight of these can be on the pitch, while two can be on the bench. This process, which began with the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, aims to increase the appeal of Saudi football.
Foreign player rules in Africa
Algeria: The foreign player rule is quite strict here. Clubs can register a total of 27 players, only four of whom can be foreign.
Libya: In Libya, the limit is slightly more flexible. Teams can have 25 players on their roster and can transfer a maximum of seven foreign footballers. This foreign player limit applies to all transfers, regardless of country.
South Africa: In South Africa, clubs are allowed to have a maximum of five foreign players in their squad. This limit is applied without regard to age or region and aims to encourage the development of local players in the league.
