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As technological and economic advances break-down the world’s international barriers, footballer’s career paths are becoming increasingly global. Players of various nationalities are travelling to all corners of the world to ply their trade and subsequently qualifying for dual-nationality. This was best illustrated at the 2008 European Championship where no less than 33 different countries of birth were represented amongst the tournaments 16 nations. To discuss this increasing trend and its impact on international football, Soccerex have assembled some of the game’s greatest players and managers including Carlos Alberto Torres, Ossie Ardiles and Gerard Houllier.

Carlos Alberto Torres, the 1970 Brazilian world winner and captain of possibly the greatest ever international team, will share his thoughts on the high number of Brazilian nationals currently representing other nations. Whether it is Eduardo da Silva playing for Croatia or Deco playing for Portugal does he feel it is damaging to Brazilian football or a positive step for an individual’s choice?

Also appearing on this star-studded line-up is the Argentinean world cup winner Ossie Ardiles. As a player and manager he has worked in South America, Europe and Asia. Will his global career lead him to encourage this current transient approach to nationality or does he feel players should represent the country of their birth? As one of the first non-Europeans to play in English football, what are his views on FIFA’s plans to limit the number of foreign players a domestic league side can field and does he ever envisage a similar FIFA ruling for international football?

Completing this panel is Gerard Houllier, one of the most knowledgeable people in the game, who throughout his career has played a prominent role in the development of the French national team. Whilst working for the French FA and overseeing Clairefontaine, France’s world-famous youth development programme, did they ever lose talent they nurtured to other national teams? His thoughts will also be of particular interest given France’s historic ties to West-Africa, and the influx of African born players such as Marcel Desailly and Patrick Vieira to the national team.

As football is the most globally played sport should this movement of players be considered a threat to international football or should we celebrate this liberal approach to how individuals qualify for a national team?

These internationally renowned speakers will examine this contentious issue at the inaugural Soccerex Brasilia Forum (17 – 18 March). This panel is part of a packed conference programme featuring senior industry executives addressing topics ranging from the business opportunities in Brazil to addressing the stadia requirements and expertise needed in the home of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. For further updates regarding this two-day business forum visit www.soccerex.com/brasilia