Julian Green, the 18 year-old American-born German soccer star has been approved by FIFA to play for the United States.
Green, who plays for German club giant Bayern Munich, filed for a one-time switch of allegiances with FIFA earlier this month, which was approved Monday according the U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati.
FIFA has approved change of nationality for Julian Green–he’s eligible to play for USMNT immediately.
— Sunil Gulati (@sunilgulati) March 24, 2014
Born in Tampa, Fl., Green and his family moved to Germany when he was two. He has represented Germany at the youth national team levels including during qualifying for the U-19 European championship, which tied him to Germany.
FIFA allows a one-time switch of national team allegiance once a player has represented a country in an official match (qualifying tournaments, World Cups, Federation championships). A player must meet nationality requirements to switch, which Green does due to his birth status and American father.
Green has an outside chance at making the World Cup team and will hope for his first cap after being called up for the USA match against Mexico in Glendale, Ariz. on April 2.
USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann is very high on the gifted Green: “He is a very special talent,” Klinsmann said. “We wanted him to feel comfortable with our program and listen to his heart when making this decision. I personally want to thank Kalle Rummenigge and everyone at Bayern Munich for their support through this process. He is an exciting player with a tremendously bright future.”