Main content

Flag-switching: Why more World Cup footballers aren’t playing for their birth nations

From Morocco to Bosnia & Herzegovina.

The 2026 Fifa Men's World Cup has the highest proportion ever of players representing countries they were not born in - almost a quarter of all the participating players. Several squads, including those from DR Congo, Morocco and Bosnia & Herzegovina, have a team made up mostly of foreign-born players. Of the 26 players who represented Curaçao, only one was born on the Caribbean island.

Fernando Duarte, a reporter with the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ World Service, explains why more World Cup footballers aren’t playing for their birth nations. He also highlights how Morocco, the only African team ever to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup, has successfully recruited players from its diaspora.

We also hear from football fans around the world about the foreign-born players representing Cape Verde, Curaçao, Morocco and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: William Lee Adams
Editor: Verity Wilde

Available now

12 minutes

Last on

Thu 2 Jul 2026 02:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Wed 1 Jul 2026 17:50GMT
  • Thu 2 Jul 2026 02:50GMT

Podcast