Footballers representing national teams from countries other than their places of birth isn’t a new trend. Eusebio, a Portuguese great and the top scorer at the 1966 World Cup, was born in Mozambique. Miroslav Klose, the German striker who holds the record for the most goals at World Cups (16), was born in Poland.
At the 2022 World Cup, we saw the highest share of foreign-born players in the event’s history: 137 of the 830 players from the 32 teams represented countries other than their birthplaces, either through parentage, grandparentage, or naturalisation.
Closer to home, we saw the US National Team on a massive recruitment drive for foreign players in recent years; the same goes for Jamaica, Curacao, Suriname, Guyana, and now the likes of St. Lucia and Grenada, benefiting even more with their country’s laws being adjusted to accommodate players born to grandparents. Pepe, born in Brazil to Portuguese grandparents, became a key defender for Portugal. Ivan Rakitić, born in Switzerland to Croatian grandparents, chose to represent Croatia and became a vital part of the team, helping them reach the final of the 2018 World Cup. Jonathan de Guzmán, born in Canada to Jamaican parents with Dutch grandparents, represented the Netherlands and was part of their squad during the 2014 World Cup. Mexico included Nery Castillo, born in Uruguay to a Greek mother and Uruguayan father with Mexican grandparents, in their 2007 Copa America campaign.
To date, Trinidad and Tobago does not benefit from the grandparents law, and time is not on our side. Current data shows there are at least five players playing at a respectable level with a good pedigree who are eligible for T&T through grandparentage but cannot obtain their T&T passports due to the current laws. And there is an increasing number of youth players coming up through the ranks in Europe.
There are several key reasons why countries have considered and should consider allowing their national football teams to access players born into third-generation parentage.
Globalisation of Talent: Many players are born and raised in countries different from their ancestors but maintain strong cultural and familial ties. Allowing them to represent their ancestral homeland could enrich the talent pool and enhance team performance.
Inclusivity and Representation: This change would recognise and include individuals with deep personal and familial connections to a country, promoting a sense of belonging and identity.
Development of the Sport: Expanding eligibility criteria could help countries with smaller populations or less developed infrastructure access a wider talent pool, fostering the sport’s growth globally.
Reflecting Modern Realities: In an increasingly interconnected world, the traditional criteria for national representation might be seen as outdated. Many people have multicultural backgrounds, and the rules should reflect this diversity.
Cultural Exchange: Players representing their ancestral countries can bring new skills, styles, and experiences, leading to a richer exchange of football techniques and cultural integration within the sport. Overall, this policy shift could make international soccer more inclusive, representative, and competitive.
Incorporating foreign talents can significantly improve a country’s chances of qualifying for the qualifying for the World Cup through several mechanisms, such as increased skill level and depth of talent pool. A broader pool of eligible players allows for more strategic team selection, ensuring that the best possible team is fielded for qualifying matches.
Experience and Tactics: Players who have competed in different leagues and international tournaments bring valuable experience and tactical knowledge, which can be crucial in high-stakes qualifying matches.
Team Synergy: Combining local talents with foreign players can create a more dynamic and versatile team capable of adapting to various playing styles and strategies encountered during the qualifying rounds.
Psychological Advantage: The presence of high-calibre foreign players can boost team morale and confidence, which is essential for performing well under the pressure of World Cup qualifiers. The inclusion of foreign talents can create healthy competition for starting positions, pushing local players to improve and perform at their best.
Strategic Diversity: Coaches can utilise the unique strengths of foreign players to implement more varied and unpredictable strategies, making the team harder to counter. Overall, the integration of foreign talents can make a national team more robust, versatile, and competitive, thereby enhancing its chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
The debate over home-based or homegrown players having opportunities being taken away is also now outdated. Home-grown players born in the country should see the benefits of including players with grandparentage ties rather than feeling intimidated.
Some of these reasons include: Increased Competition: The inclusion of talented players can raise the level of competition within the team, pushing all players to improve their skills and performance. This can lead to overall better quality and depth in the squad. Home-grown players can learn from these new approaches, enhancing their own game and tactical understanding.
Team Success: The ultimate goal of any national team is to perform well in international competitions. Including talented players, regardless of their background, increases the chances of team success, which benefits everyone involved. Exposure and Recognition: Successful teams attract more attention from the media, scouts, and sponsors. This increased exposure can lead to better opportunities for all players, including home-grown ones.
National Pride: Seeing the national team succeed with a diverse group of players can enhance a sense of national pride and unity. It shows that the country is inclusive and values talent and dedication above all else.
Broader Perspective: Being part of a multicultural team can broaden players’ perspectives, fostering a more inclusive and open-minded approach to life and sports. Overall, while initial competition for places may be challenging, the long-term benefits of including players with grandparentage ties can lead to a stronger, more successful, and more cohesive national team. Home-grown players should embrace this opportunity for growth and development.
Research concludes that the World Cup has become more migratory in terms of volume and diversity from an immigration perspective. Although FIFA determines who, under which conditions, is eligible to compete in international football, they do not have a say in national citizenship procedures. National governments remain the only institutions that can legally grant citizenship to individuals (Hall, 2012; Holmes & Storey, 2011). The migration histories of countries, with their differences and, over time, changes in national citizenship policies, therefore have an influence on the volume and diversity of foreign-born players within the selected national teams and, as a consequence, at the World Cup.
Editor’s note: Shaun Fuentes is the head of TTFA Media. He was a FIFA media officer at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey. He has travelled to 88 countries during his journey in ports. The views expressed are solely his and not a representation of any organisation. shaunfuentes@yahoo.com