This World Cup is the biggest ever, with 48 different nations competing for what many consider football’s most coveted prize. Players want to appear on the biggest stage, and this may be for nations they have heritage in, but were not born in. Some of England’s players have changed their allegiance - with Declan Rice having played for Ireland, before switching to the Three Lions in 2019. Jack Grealish, not in the squad this time, also represented the Emerald Isle at youth and under-21 levels.
Some players have done the opposite, choosing to play for other countries, despite links to England. Germany’s Jamal Musiala was born in Stuttgart, but moved to England when he was seven-years-old, and spent most of his childhood growing up in Croydon and New Malden. Other professionals were born in England, but have chosen to play for different nations.
Below is a list of players born in England but who are playing for a different country at the World Cup, according to an OpenStreetMap by Sviraman.
Antoine Semenyo - plays for Ghana, born in Chelsea, London
Jerome Opoku - plays for Ghana, born in Lambeth, London
Sebastian Berhalter - plays for the United States, born in London
Marvin Keller - plays for Switzerland, born in London
Aaron Tshibola - plays for DR Congo, born in Beckton, London
Michael Olise - plays for France, born in Hammersmith, London
Owen Goodman - plays for Canada, born in Harold Wood, London
Antonee Robinson - plays for the United States, born in Milton Keynes
Brandon Thomas-Asante - plays for Ghana, born in Milton Keynes
Alfie Jones - plays for Canada, born in Bristol
Joe Bell - plays for Australia, born in Bristol
Ché Adams - plays for Scotland, born in Leicester
Tommy Smith - plays for Australia, born in Macclesfield
Thelo Aasgaard - plays for Norway, born in Liverpool
Zidane Iqbal - plays for Iraq, born in Manchester
Tyler Fletcher - plays for Scotland, born in Manchester
George Hirst - plays for Scotland, born in Sheffield
Scott McTominay - plays for Scotland, born in Lancaster
Giovanni Reyna - plays for the United States, born in Sunderland
Norway star Erling Haaland was born in Leeds. His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, played at Elland Road.
But, just days before his son's birth, Alf-Inge signed with Manchester City, the club where Erling now plays.
Antione Semenyo - who plays for Ghana - is also a Manchester City player, transferring from Bournemouth in January for £62.5million.
Brandon Thomas-Asante - who also plays for Ghana - was a crucial part of Coventry City's promotion to the Premier League this season under Frank Lampard. The Sky Blues finished 11 points clear at the top of the Championship table.
Scott McTominay is loved by the Tartan Army, but he was born in Lancaster. The Scottish midfielder started his career at Manchester United, before moving to Italian club Napoli.
