"Nikita Haikin has had some fabulous moments with Bodo/Glimt over the past couple of years - but he looks set to miss out on a place at this summer's World Cup. The goalkeeper played a part in the Norwegian side's run to the Europa League semi-finals last year and their brilliant form in the Champions League this season. Bodo/Glimt beat Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in the league phase before seeing off Inter in the play-off round."
"Israel-born, Russian-raised Haikin achieved Norwegian citizenship in April in his bid to be included in the national team squad this summer. Manager Stale Solbakken had been on record before about his intention to take Haikin to North America, where Norway will take on France, Senegal and Iraq in the group stage. However, FIFA have not rubber-stamped Haikin's change of citizenship, and he will not be able to play for his new nation until they do."
"The issue appears to be that FIFA rules stipulate a continuous residency period of at least five years in the player's new nation. The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. Haikin joined Bodo/Glimt in 2019 and so would more than qualify for that...if he hadn't had a two-month spell with Bristol City in 2023. The goalkeeper was a free agent at the time, but departed to re-join Bodo-Glimt after spending a few weeks with the Championship club without making an appearance."
"FIFA's stance is that Haikin's brief time in England nonetheless stands as a break in Haikin's continuous spell in Norway, with the five-year clock resetting to start in March 2023 when he went back to Bodo/Glimt. Nikita Haikin looks set to miss out on a World Cup place (Image credit: Getty Images) Haikin himself had been hop"
Nikita Haikin has produced standout performances for Bodo/Glimt, including involvement in Norway’s Europa League run and strong Champions League results. He sought inclusion in Norway’s World Cup squad and obtained Norwegian citizenship in April. FIFA has not approved the citizenship change for match eligibility, preventing him from playing until approval is granted. FIFA rules require at least five years of continuous residency in the new nation. Haikin’s time in England in 2023 is treated as a break in his continuous residency, resetting the five-year clock when he returned to Bodo/Glimt in March 2023. This situation leaves him likely to miss the World Cup.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]