{"id":6050,"date":"2019-03-05T09:56:52","date_gmt":"2019-03-05T14:56:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=6050"},"modified":"2019-03-06T14:58:09","modified_gmt":"2019-03-06T19:58:09","slug":"fifa-approve-declan-rices-decision-to-play-for-england","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=6050","title":{"rendered":"FIFA Approve Declan Rice’s Decision to Play for England"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"West Ham midfielder Declan Rice is free to start his England career after FIFA confirmed his switch from the Republic of Ireland.<\/p>\n

The 20-year-old, who was born in London with Irish grandparents, considers himself \u201cto be of mixed nationality\u201d and has played three times for Ireland.<\/p>\n

But because they were friendlies it left the door open to change allegiance and last month he announced his intention to formally do that, a move which has now been ratified by FIFA.<\/p>\n

\u201cFIFA can now confirm that the change of association of Declan Rice from Republic of Ireland to England has been approved,\u201d said a spokesman for the world governing body.<\/p>\n

After representing Ireland at youth level, Rice went on to make three senior appearances last year, including games against France and the United States ahead of the World Cup.<\/p>\n

However, speculation over his long-term international future mounted after he became a West Ham regular under Manuel Pellegrini this season.<\/p>\n

In completing the switch, Rice follows in the footsteps of Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, who made the same move to England in 2016.<\/p>\n

Share this:<\/h3>