“If they meet all the requirements, why not? If they can reinforce the performance of the Honduras National Team”, with those words Fabian Coitus left the doors of the Bicolor open to naturalized players.
The call that sparked controversy in Honduras in 2003 with two naturalized
The catracha squad already had its ranks for two nationalized players: Denilson Costa and Marcelo Ferreira. Both Brazilian footballers, naturalized Hondurans, were called by Bora Milutinovic on November 13, 2003 for a friendly against Bolivia. The list sparked controversy.
After that, the Bicolor has not returned to have nationalized players, despite the fact that several names have sounded.
The requirements for naturalization in Honduras
The article 24 of the Constitution of the Republic indicates that they may be Hondurans by naturalization: Central Americans who have a year of residence in the country, Spaniards and Ibero-Americans by birth who have two consecutive years of residence in Honduras.
The rest of the foreign citizens must have resided in the country for more than three consecutive years, also citizens who obtain a naturalization letter decreed by the National Congress, for extraordinary services rendered to Honduras.
Immigrants who, as part of selected groups brought by the government for scientific, agricultural and industrial purposes, after one year of residing in the country meet the requirements of the law; and finally, the foreign person married to a Honduran by birth.
To apply for Honduran nationality, you must prove the rate established in the Article 126 of the Regulation of Immigration and Aliens Law. Naturalizations for Central Americans cost $ 200, for Ibero-Americans $ 300 and from the rest of the regions $ 400.
What FIFA establishes for a naturalized person to be eligible
Throughout history, multiple soccer players have represented a nation other than the one they were born at the international level. But that does not mean that anyone can do it, because FIFA has a series of points
According to article 17 of the eligibility of players for the FIFA national teams, a naturalized player is required five (5) years to reside continuously in the country he / she intends to represent.
League foreigners may be eligible for Honduras
In Honduras there are several players who already meet the immigration and immigration requirements to naturalize Hondurans, but only two could be eligible for the National Team in 2021.
The Argentine goalkeeper Jonathan Rougier It is one of them. He arrived in Honduras at the beginning of 2017 and at the beginning of 2020, Motagua confirmed that he began the process of his nationalization so that he does not occupy a position as foreigners.
Yustin Arboleda is the other. The Colombian Olimpia striker also arrived in Honduras in 2017 and a few days ago spoke of the possibility of naturalization and the Honduran National Team.
Players who are already eligible for Honduran naturalization
Yerson Gutiérrez (Marathon Striker) Arrived in Honduras in 2018
Roberto Moreira (Forward of Motagua) Arrived in 2018
Matías Galvaliz (Motagua Flyer) Arrived in 2018
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