by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

Soccer365 has confirmed that Schalke midfielder Jermaine Jones will be eligible to suit up for the U.S. National Team after August 2nd, provided his international switch has been approved by the FIFA's Player Status Committee.

U.S. Soccer was actually told by a FIFA employee that Jones could not be eligible until October 1st, but a spokesman for the world governing body surmised that the particular messenger might have momentarily confused the international association rule with a club transfer change regarding youth players approved the same day that does not go into effect until that autumn day.

"I can confirm that the decision to lift the age limit in Article 18 of the Regulations Governing the Application of the FIFA Statutes will come into effect 60 days after it was taken at the 59th FIFA Congress," he told Soccer365 on Tuesday afternoon.

The 27-year old Jones, who took his decision to trade his Germany shirt for U.S. colors after Article 18 was stripped of the 21-year old age limit for international switches was ratified with 58% of the vote on June 3rd, is waiting to learn when his Player Status Committee case hearing will occur.

If the central midfielder's swap is given the green light, he would first be available for coach Bob Bradley's selection when the USMNT visits arch nemesis Mexico at Azteca on August 12th.

Soccer365 reporter Greg Seltzer blogs daily over at No Short Corners.

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