"ESC Players
Unless otherwise stated, references to paragraphs below are references to paragraphs within this
Appendix.
SECTION I: CRITERIA
1. A Player may be granted a GBE as an ESC Player provided that:
1.1. the club has evidenced to The FA’s satisfaction that the Player is an elite player and will make
a significant contribution to the sport. Guidance in respect of this will be issued by The FA
from time to time but, as a minimum, The FA expects the Player to have, within the ESC Player
Reference Period, satisfied one or more of the following:
1.1.1. played in at least one Youth Competitive International Match for a National
Association ranked in the top 50 places in the Aggregated FIFA World Rankings;
1.1.2. played in at least five Youth Competitive International Matches for a National
Association ranked outside the top 50 places in the Aggregated FIFA World Rankings;
1.1.3. played in at least one Continental Youth Competition Match;
1.1.4. played in at least five Domestic Youth Competition Matches;
1.1.5. played in at least one Senior Competitive International Match for a National
Association ranked in the top 50 places in the Aggregated FIFA World Rankings;
1.1.6. played in at least five Senior Competitive International Matches for a National
Association ranked outside the top 50 places in the Aggregated FIFA World Rankings;
1.1.7. played in at least one match in a Continental Competition; or
1.1.8. played in at least five Domestic Senior Competition Matches."
https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/policies/player-registration/points-based-system
