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

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

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 BBC 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.

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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: William Lee Adams
Editor: Verity Wilde

Published on Wednesday, 1st July 2026.

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