The 2022 FIFA World Cup, currently in the round of 16, is taking place in Qatar despite several concerns surrounding it. Old powers have fallen, as seen by Germany's defeat to Japan and subsequent elimination from the competition in the group stage. New forces have also arisen, with Morocco defeating illustrious Belgium to become the second African country, after Nigeria, to win a World Cup group after winning it once before in 1986.
But this World Cup, like those that came before it, has also served as a crash course in the effects of migration and globalism, particularly on the African continent. To the delight of some and the curiosity of others, many players of African descent are sporting the jerseys of non-African nations, particularly European ones.
Here are some of the players of African descent but are playing for non-African nations.
Timothy Weah
A president's son participating in the largest sports event in the world is unusual. In spite of this, Timothy Weah, the 22-year-old son of George Weah, the 25th president of Liberia and a former player, represented the United States in this World Cup and scored in his tournament debut against Wales in a group-stage match. Timothy also participates in Lille's Ligue 1 offence as an attacker.
His decision to play for the US is not particularly surprising given that he was born and raised in New York with a Jamaican mother. He has previously played for the US under-15, -17, -20, and -23 teams before making his senior squad debut in March 2018. While he represented the United States, he was also qualified to represent Liberia, Jamaica, and France.
However, not everyone has supported his choice due to his father's role in the government, as well as his father's prominence in football (George Weah is the only African to win both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year honours in 1995).
The criticism doesn't seem to bother Weah the Elder, who hailed his son's World Cup debut despite not having participated in one himself despite having distinguished careers at Monaco and AC Milan and making over 70 appearances for the Liberian football team.
The US was eliminated from the 2022 World Cup after losing to the Netherlands 3-1 in the round of 16.
The US lost to the Netherlands 3-1 in their round of 16 encounters, eliminating them from the 2022 World Cup.
Breel Embolo
In respect for the Cameroonian supporters, Breel Embolo, 25, did not join his teammates in celebrating when Switzerland beat Cameroon in a group-stage encounter. Embolo was born in Yaounde, the capital city of Cameroon, and was raised mostly in Brussels, the Swiss capital. After his mother's divorce from his father, the two moved to France before ultimately settling in Switzerland.
Embolo, a football player for the French club Monaco now, obtained Swiss citizenship in 2014 and made his debut for the Swiss national team the following year. Embolo and his Swiss colleagues will play Portugal in the round of 16, leaving his native Cameroon out of the competition.
Jamal Musiala
The lanky Jamal Musiala, one of Germany's best players at the 2022 World Cup, dazzled fans with his breathless close control, dribbling, spatial awareness, and body balance, techniques so well mastered they belie his youth—he is only 19 years old. His German coach Hansi Flick once praised him for having a "great eye and feeling for choosing the right spaces." Musiala executed 13 dribbles in Germany's tense World Cup match against Costa Rica on December 1, two fewer than Austin Jay-Jay Okocha's record of 15 set in 1994.
His mother was a German of Polish ancestry, and his father was a British-Nigerian Yoruba, thus if he had chosen to, he could have played for Nigeria's Super Eagles. Although born in Stuttgart, he relocated to England when he was 7 years old and played for England's U15, U16, U17, and U21 teams before swearing allegiance to Germany in February 2021 and represented them at the Euro 2020. He may have also played for England.
Many fans will be keeping a watch on Musiala, who plays as an offensive midfielder and occasionally as a winger for the Bundesliga club Bayern Munich, even if Germany may have been eliminated from the competition.
Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé, who was born in Paris and raised nearby in Bondy, has a dual African ancestry; his mother is of Algerian Kabyle lineage, while his father is from Cameroon. Mbappé, who is already a World Cup champion and one of the best players in the world right now, has been outstanding for France thus far in this World Cup. His two goals against Poland in the round of 16 brought his tournament total to five, moving him ahead of players like Lionel Messi and Marcus Rashford in the competition for the Golden Boot award, which is given to the tournament's top scorer.
The fans of France will be hoping that Mbappé continues his excellent form into their quarterfinal matchup with Gareth Southgate's England.
Alejandro Balde
Alejandro Balde was only a member of Spain's World Cup roster because Valencia defender Gayá was forced to withdraw due to injury. In Spain's group-stage match against Costa Rica, 19-year-old Balde made his World Cup debut as a substitute. He had an instant effect; a solo run from him set up Gavi for Spain's fifth goal of the match, which Spain won 7-nil.
Balde, who was born in Barcelona, is both Dominican and Guinean. He presently plays left back for FC Barcelona's B team, Barcelona Atlètic, and has had brief appearances with Barça's senior squad.
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka, who is only 21 years old, has already made a name for himself in football, whether he's wearing an England or Arsenal FC jersey. Since making his England national team debut in a match against Wales in October 2020, Saka has exploded for the Three Lions. He was instrumental in getting his side to the Euro 2020 final, where they lost on penalties to Italy when Gianluigi Donnarumma saved Saka's attempt. Saka now represents England, although his parents, who are Nigerian Yorubas who moved to London in search of employment, may have allowed him to represent Nigeria. The Yoruba name "Bukayo" means "add to my joy" in English.
In England's opening group stage match against Iran, Saka made his World Cup debut. Saka won the Man of the Match award after scoring twice, becoming the youngest player to do so since Franz Beckenbauer in 1966.
He has scored three goals so far in this World Cup and will be attempting to forget about his disappointing performance at Euro 2020.
Amadou Onana
Amadou Onana, a defensive midfielder for the English team Everton, participated in two World Cup games for Belgium. However, he was unable to play in their final group-stage encounter against Croatia because he received two yellow cards. In June 2022, the 21-year-old made his debut abroad. However, despite wearing a Belgian jersey, he is of Cameroonian and Senegalese ancestry.
Despite having a wealth of skill, Belgium struggled at this World Cup and was eliminated early. Many fans and analysts saw this as the end of Belgium's so-called Golden Generation, which included aging talents like Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard. With the departure of the old generation, Belgians will look to stars like Onana in the future in an effort to rediscover their magic.