General
cap-tied
What does cap-tied mean?
When a player becomes ineligible to switch countries because they've made a competitive international appearance.
"Once he played the qualifier he was cap-tied to England."
Origin
Football administrative slang combining 'cap' with being 'tied' to a nation.
Frequently asked questions
What does cap-tied mean?
A player is cap-tied when they've made a competitive appearance for one national team and can therefore no longer switch to represent a different eligible country.
How does a player become cap-tied?
Under FIFA rules, playing in a competitive senior international (such as a qualifier) ties a player to that nation. Friendlies and youth games generally don't cap-tie a player in the same way.
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