The 21 World Cup stars born in England but play for different teams | World | News
This World Cup is the biggest ever; 48 different countries are competing for what many consider football’s most coveted prize. Actors want to be on the biggest stage, and that may be for countries where they originate but were not born. Some England players have switched allegiances; Declan Rice played for Ireland before moving to the Three Lions in 2019. Jack Grealish, who was not included in the squad this time, also represented the Emerald Isle at youth and under-21 levels.
Some players did the opposite, choosing to play for other countries despite their ties to England. German Jamal Musiala was born in Stuttgart, but moved to England when he was seven and spent most of his childhood growing up in Croydon and New Malden. Other professionals were born in England but chose to play in different nations.
Below is a list of players who were born in England but played in a different country at the World Cup. OpenStreetMap with Sviraman.
Antoine Semenyo – Plays in Ghana, Chelsea, was born in London
Jerome Opoku – Plays in Ghana, was born in Lambeth, London
Sebastián Berhalter – Plays for the United States, was born in London
Marvin Keller – Plays in Switzerland, was born in London
Aaron Tshibola – Plays in DR Congo, born in Beckton, London
Michael Olise – Plays for France, was born in Hammersmith, London
Owen Goodman – Plays for Canada, Harold Wood, born in London
Antonee Robinson – Plays in the United States, was born in Milton Keynes
Brandon Thomas-Asante – Born in Milton Keynes, plays in Ghana
Alfie Jones – Plays for Canada, born in Bristol
Joe Bell – Plays for Australia, born in Bristol
Che Adams – Plays for Scotland, born in Leicester
Tommy Smith – Plays for Australia, born in Macclesfield
Thelo Aasgaard – Plays in Norway, was born in Liverpool
Zidane Iqbal – Plays in Iraq, was born in Manchester
Tyler Fletcher – Plays for Scotland, was 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
Norwegian star Erling Haaland was born in Leeds. His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, played for Elland Road.
However, just a few days before the birth of his son, Alf-Inge signed a contract with Manchester City, the club where Erling currently plays.
Antione Semenyo, who plays for Ghana, is also a Manchester City player and was transferred from Bournemouth for £62.5 million in January.
Brandon Thomas-Asante, who also plays for Ghana, played an important role in Coventry City’s promotion to the Premier League this season under Frank Lampard. The Sky Blues finished top of the Championship table by 11 points.
Scott McTominay is loved by the Tartan Army, but he was born in Lancaster. The Scottish midfielder started his career at Manchester United and then transferred to Italian club Napoli.
