The ‘Nico Williams plan’ goes through FIFA… and also through Ansu Fati

Luis Enrique’s latest list brought two novelties and both in the line of attack. Borja el Panda Iglesias and Nico Williams get on the World Cup train. The injuries of Gerard Moreno and Dani Olmo and the problems of Raúl De Tomás open up the range of possibilities. Also added to this is the situation of Ansu Fati, who has hardly played a game with his team, Barcelona.

In anticipation that at the time of making the final list for Qatar 2022, which will occur no later than November 13, which is the date set by FIFA for the 32 teams to send the list of, minimum 23 and maximum 26 World Cup players, Luis Enrique has called the youngest of the Williams and the top national scorer, the Panda.

Nico’s case is special and the Federation (RFEF) has prepared a specific plan for the tip of Athletic. José Francisco Molina, sports director of the RFEF, has worked with Luis Enrique in planning the World Cup. And Nico Williams has his own section.

In the weeks prior to his call-up with Spain, Nico has also received the songs of Ghana, who eventually recruited his brother Iñaki. But Nick Williams he prefers La Roja, and he also knows that he has room to decide. Because FIFA protects him.

As a result of cases like Munir’s, FIFA changed the rules on the eligibility of internationals. Before, it was enough to play a single game with one country to never be able to do it with any other. Not anymore. Nico Williams is 20 years old (he turned them in July) and the renewed rule implemented by FIFA allows, with dual nationality, to change the national team if the footballer has not played more than three games for the same country (and three years have passed since his last call) or participated in a final phase before the age of 21. That is even having minutes against Switzerland and Portugal, Nico Williams could still be called up by Ghana. But if he played a single second with La Roja in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, he would never be able to go with another country other than Spain.

The footballer, for now, arrives with the illusion of debuting with La Roja in an unexpected call: “I’m very happy. I had no idea she was on the pre-list. It has been a joy for the whole family and I hope to perform. My parents are proud. I have my feet on the ground, I want to work and be seen by the coach. I am grateful for this opportunity.”

At the moment, Nico Williams is in the group two months before the World Cup, which gives him many possibilities of going to Qatar 2022. But his options depend on the return, or not, of Ansu Fati…