FIFA has said it will scrap plans for a minimum of six “home-grown” players in clubs’ starting line-ups.
The so-called “6+5” rule had been expected to be brought in by 2012 but has now been abandoned.
FIFA, at its congress in South Africa ahead of the World Cup kick-off, said it will now look at “other eligibility” options.
The 6+5 rule has on numerous occasions been described as illegal by the European Union and was rejected by the European Parliament on 9 May 2008.