Football Manager Squad Registration Rules

See what country has which rules applied when it comes to match squad and competition registration rules in Football Manager.

Football Manager squad registration rules and match squad rules for all national European club competitions.

If you're an avid Football Manager player, you know that squad registration and match squad rules can vary greatly depending on the country you're managing in. While some nations are more lenient and offer greater flexibility, others have strict regulations that can pose a challenge for even the most experienced players.

For instance, in Spain, teams can only register a maximum of 25 players for their squad, with only three of those players allowed to be non-EU citizens. Meanwhile, in Germany, there are no restrictions on non-EU players, but teams must have at least twelve players trained in Germany and a maximum of 25 players in their squad.

In contrast, some countries like Iceland and San Marino don't have any registration rules at all, meaning you can have as many players as you want on your squad without any restrictions.

When it comes to match squad rules, countries also have their own unique regulations. In England, teams can name up to seven substitutes for a match, while in Italy and France, only five substitutes are allowed. In some countries like Norway, teams are allowed to name a maximum of nine substitutes.

It's important to note that these rules are the default settings in Football Manager and can be altered using the game's editor. However, if you want to keep the game as realistic as possible, it's best to adhere to the rules set by each individual country.

So, if you're planning on taking your team to the top of the league in Football Manager, it's essential to be aware of the squad registration and match squad rules in the country you're managing in. By understanding these rules, you can better plan your transfer strategy and optimize your team's performance on the pitch.

READ ALSO: Guide on How to Get a Work Permit on Football Manager

Football Manager Squad Registration Rules

Nation	Squad Registration Rules	Match Squad Rules
Austria	Maximum 7 Non-EU players, wage cap 50% of turnover	Nothing
Belarus	No squad registration	Maximum 5 foreign players in squad, max 4 in first 11
Belgium	Minimum of 8 homegrown players in 25-man squad	Minimum of 6 homegrown players in match squad
Bulgaria	Wage cap 60% of turnover	Maximum of 6 non-EU players
Croatia	Maximum 6 loan players per season	Max 6 foreign players in match squad
Czech Republic	Wage cap of 75% of turnover	Max 3 non-EU players in the first 11
Denmark	Minimum of 4 players trained at the club for 3 years before 21st birthday	Minimum of 8 players trained at the nation for 3 years before 21st birthday
England	Minimum of 8 players trained at the nation for 3 years before 21st birthday, maximum 25 players	Players under 21 don’t need to be registered
Finland	No squad registration	No more than 3 non-EU players in match squad
France	Maximum 4 non-EU players	Nations treated as EU – Cotonou, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and others
Germany	Nothing	Nothing
Greece	Maximum 5 non-EU players	Maximum of 5 non EU players. Nations treated as EU – Algeria, Morocco, Albania, Russia, Tunisia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey
Hungary	Maximum 5 non-EU players	Nations treated as EU – Vanuatu, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan, East Timor, All African countries, Russia, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Moldova, Caribe, Ukraine, San Marino, Turkey, Cook Islands, Macedonia
Iceland	Max of 4 loan players per season	Max of 3 non-EU players in match squad
Ireland	Nothing	Nothing
Israel	Nothing	Maximum of 5 foreign players
Italy	Maximum of 2 non-EU signings per season	Nothing
Netherlands	Nothing	No under-18 non-EU players in match squad
Norway	Maximum of 11 non-homegrown players, 35 players per season	Nothing
Poland	Maximum of 17 foreign players, 25 players	Nothing
Portugal	Maximum of 30 over-19 players, minimum of 3 players trained at the nation for 3 years	Nothing
Romania	Nothing	Maximum of 5 non-EU players in starting 11
Russia	Maximum of 60 players, 25 trained at the nation for 3 years	Maximum of 6 foreign players in first 11
Serbia	Maximum of 25 players	Maximum of 5 foreign over 20 players in match squad
Scotland	Nothing	Minimum of 3 under-21 Scottish players in match squad
Slovakia	Nothing	Maximum of 5 non-EU players in match squad
Slovenia	Maximum of 3 non-EU players	Maximum of 3 non-EU players in match squad
Spain	Nothing	Maximum of 3 non-EU players
Sweden	Maximum of 10 non-EU players	Minimum of 9 players in match squad trained in Sweden
Switzerland	Nothing	Maximum of 5 non-EU players in the first 11
Turkey	Nothing	Maximum of 8 foreign players in match squad
Ukraine	Nothing	Maximum of 7 foreign players in starting 11
Wales	Nothing	Minimum of 2 under-19 Welsh players in match squad

Conclusion

Mastering squad registration rules in Football Manager isn’t just a detail—it’s a game-changer. Whether you’re balancing foreign player limits in Spain or exploiting the flexibility of leagues like Germany, knowing the rules is your tactical edge. Overlook them, and you’ll find your best players ineligible, but get it right, and you’ll be fielding a team that’s optimized for success, both on the pitch and within the regulations. It’s not just about picking players; it’s about picking the right players, and that’s where true managerial mastery shines.