The 70th FIFA Congress, held in September 2020, voted to amend the rules regarding eligibility for national teams. Previously, a single appearance in a competitive match, such as a Nations League game, would bind a player to a national team for their entire international career.
However, the new rule allows players to switch nationalities if they have played a maximum of three competitive matches at the senior level before turning 21, as long as they have not appeared in a FIFA World Cup final match or continental finals for their first nation. As a result of this change, several African-born players represented non-African countries in the 2022 world cup.
There are many reasons these players chose to represent foreign nations at the international level. Some were born in a foreign country and feel a strong connection to that nation, while others moved to a foreign country at a young age and developed their football skills there. Additionally, some players may have chosen to represent a foreign nation because they feel they have a better chance of being selected for a national team or because they want to honor their heritage by representing a particular country.
Whatever the reason, these players have significantly impacted the international football stage and will continue to do so for years to come. In no particular order, here are the 12 players of African origin who played for foreign nations in World Cup 2022:
- Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe was born in Paris, France to a Cameroonian father and an Algerian mother. He began his youth career with AS Bondy before joining the academy at Paris Saint-Germain. Mbappe made his professional debut for PSG in 2017 and has since become one of the most highly regarded young players in the world. He represents France at the international level, making his debut in 2017 and helping lead the team to the 2018 World Cup title.
2. Ansu Fati
Ansu Fati was born in Guinea-Bissau and moved to Spain with his family at a young age. He began his youth career with Sevilla before joining the academy at Barcelona in 2012. Fati made his professional debut for Barcelona in 2019 and has become a key player for the club. He represents Spain at the international level, making his debut in 2020.
3. Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka was born in London, England to Nigerian parents. He began his youth career with Arsenal before breaking into the first team in 2018. Saka has become a key player for Arsenal and represents England at the international level, making his debut in 2020.
4. Manuel Akanji
Manuel Akanji was born in Switzerland to a Swiss mother and a Nigerian father. He began his professional career with FC Basel before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2018. Akanji has become a key player for Dortmund and represents Switzerland internationally, making his debut in 2017.
5. Eduardo Camavinga
Eduardo Camavinga was born in Angola and moved to France with his family at a young age. He began his youth career with Rennes before breaking into the first team in 2019. He eventually moved to Real Madrid in 2021, helping them clinch the trophy in 2021. He plays for France.
6. Alphonso Davies
Alphonso Davies was born in Ghana and moved to Canada with his family at a young age. He began his professional career with the Vancouver Whitecaps before moving to Bayern Munich in 2018. Davies has become a key player for Bayern Munich and represents Canada at the international level, making his debut in 2017.
7. Jules Kounde
Jules Kounde was born in France to a French mother and a Senegalese father. He began his professional career with Bordeaux before moving to Sevilla and eventually transferring to Barcelona in 2022. Kounde has become a key player for Barcelona and represents France at the international level, making his debut in 2021.
8. Breel Embolo
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Breel Embolo was born in Cameroon and moved to Switzerland with his family at a young age. He began his professional career with FC Basel before moving to Schalke 04 in 2016. Embolo represents Switzerland at the international level, making his debut in 2015.
9. Jamal Musiala
Jamal Musiala was born in Germany to a German mother and a Nigerian father. He began his youth career with Chelsea before joining the academy at Bayern Munich in 2019. Musiala made his professional debut for Bayern Munich in 2020 and has represented both Germany and England at the international level.
10. Ousmane Dembélé
Ousmane Dembélé was born in France to a Mauritanian father and an Algerian mother. He began his professional career with Rennes before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2017. Dembélé represents France at the international level, making his debut in 2016.
11. Rafael Leao
Rafael Leao was born in Cape Verde and moved to Portugal with his family at a young age. He began his youth career with Sporting Lisbon before breaking into the first team in 2017. Leao moved to AC Milan in 2019 and represents Portugal at the international level, making his debut in 2021.
12. Danilo Pereira
Danilo Pereira was born in Cape Verde and moved to Portugal with his family at a young age. He began his professional career with Marítimo before moving to Porto in 2015. Pereira has become a key player for Porto and represents Portugal at the international level, making his debut in 2011.
