Arsenal star Declan Rice has been a key player for England in the international setup, but it hasn’t always been that way.
Before the midfielder was given a call-up to the Three Lions setup, he featured for the Republic of Ireland on the international stage.
As a result, Declan Rice’s switch from Ireland to England came with some shock, especially for those who represent the Boys in Green.
The Arsenal club-record signing isn’t the only star of the Three Lions squad to make that move, with Manchester City’s Jack Grealish doing the same thing.
So with that said, here’s a look at why they made the move from Ireland to England on the international stage.
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Why did Declan Rice switch Ireland for England?
Rice made three appearances in the green of Ireland before he eventually switched over to join up with England.
Since then, the Arsenal midfielder has been a mainstay in the team, reaching back-to-back European Championship finals.
Discussing the decision back in 2019, Rice said: “This has been an extremely difficult decision and, in all honesty, not one I ever expected to be making at this stage of my career.
“Like so many people around the world, I consider myself to be of mixed nationality. I am a proud Englishman, having been born and raised in London.
“However, I am just as proud of my family’s Irish heritage and my affinity and connection with the country.
“I have equal respect and love for both England and Ireland and therefore the national team I choose to represent is not a clear-cut, simple selection.
“Particularly not for a young lad who never dreamed of being in this position.
“Ultimately, it is a personal decision that I have made with my heart and my head, based on what I believe is best for my future.
“I fully accept that some Irish supporters will be disappointed by my decision and that everyone has different opinions in regard to the rules around international representation.
“However, I hope that people can understand that I have made this decision with honesty, integrity and the full support of my family.”
Why can players change international teams?
FIFA’s eligibility rules allow for players to switch their national allegiances based on several factors influencing the decision.
The player must have played no more than three competitive fixtures for the nation before the age of 21 – though you aren’t allowed to switch once you’ve made a competitive appearance in the finals of a tournament.
Other exceptions allow for players to change their national team if it has been three years since they were last handed a senior call-up to the first national team.
In the case of Rice, he had only featured three times for Ireland, all in friendly matches, which allowed him to switch to England.
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Why Jack Grealish switched Ireland for England
Rice isn’t the only England star who featured for Ireland before his move to the Three Lions, with Jack Grealish making the switch too.
Posting his decision on social media platform X, the Man City star said: “I have decided to give my allegiance to England.
“It was not an easy decision as Ireland has a special place with me through my family. However, I have decided to represent my country of birth.”
The situation underlines the difficult and complex nature of picking a single nationality to represent in a world that is increasingly global.
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