World Cup: Seven players who changed national teams just before the tournament

Opportunism for some, a once-in-a-lifetime chance for others: every World Cup brings a wave of players—often dual nationals—who suddenly agree to represent a national team they have long kept waiting. As the 2026 World Cup approaches, this phenomenon is set to be on display once more.

In the mould of Elye Wahi, Kader Meite and, more recently, Ismael Doukoure (Ivory Coast), Issa Diop (Morocco) and Rani Khedira (Tunisia), a wave of dual-national players have finally agreed to answer the call of their country of origin.

While Africa is the continent most affected, it does not have a monopoly on this phenomenon. In March, Wilson Isidor (Sunderland) joined Haiti's ranks, highlighting the global nature of these late switches. Here is a closer look at some of the most prominent African players who have changed national teams just before a World Cup.

Kevin-Prince Boateng: Man for the big occasion

In May 2010, just weeks before the first World Cup on African soil, Kevin-Prince Boateng finally received FIFA clearance to represent Ghana, having previously declined the Black Stars' call as a former Germany Under-21 international.

After a successful tournament—including a run to the quarter-finals and a historic clash against his brother Jerome's Germany—Boateng gradually drifted away from the national team. He announced his international retirement in 2011 at just 24, citing a desire to prioritise his club career.

With another World Cup on the horizon, Boateng returned from retirement in autumn 2013 and featured at the 2014 tournament, which ended in turmoil.

A row with manager James Kwesi Appiah saw Boateng, along with Sulley Muntari, sent home just hours before the final group game against Portugal.

Suspended indefinitely by the Ghanaian FA, Boateng never played for the national team again. His final tally stands at 15 caps, including seven World Cup appearances.

Habib Bellaid: World Cup from the bench

After turning down the chance to play in the 2006 World Cup with Tunisia—his father's country—and representing France Under-21s as captain, Habib Bellaid made himself available for Algeria, his mother's nation, after their qualification for the 2010 World Cup.

Manager Rabah Saadane answered the call, naming the Boulogne centre-back in his World Cup squad. However, after a poor display in a warm-up defeat to Ireland (0-3), Bellaid did not play a single minute at the tournament, which ended in group-stage elimination.

David Jemmali and Yohan Benalouane: Yes to Tunisia at 31

Iconic Bordeaux defender David Jemmali opted for Tunisia at 31, just months before the 2006 World Cup. He featured only in the opening match—a 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia—before losing his starting place, but still earned 10 caps with the Eagles of Carthage.

Twelve years later, Tunisia repeated the feat with another 31-year-old defender: Yohan Benalouane. Having previously declined several call-ups, the Leicester man accepted just before the 2018 World Cup, despite limited game time at club level.

He made four appearances in warm-up matches and played just under an hour against Belgium at the World Cup (5-2). Benalouane never featured for Tunisia again after that.

Ghana 2022: The mass arrival

Ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, Ghana enlisted several dual nationals in the summer of 2022. Most notably, Inaki Williams—who had represented Spain in 2016—completed a high-profile switch. After previously stating, “My parents are from Accra. I was not born there, was not raised there; my culture is here (in Spain),” the Athletic Bilbao striker performed a dramatic U-turn. With just two goals in 25 caps, Williams's career with the Black Stars has yet to meet expectations.

Former England Under-21 international Tariq Lamptey also joined Ghana. However, after two encouraging matches at the World Cup, recurring injuries have prevented the Fiorentina right-back from establishing himself in the national team. He has just 11 caps, seven of them coming post-World Cup.

Finally, Mohammed Salisu is the only non-dual national on this list. The AS Monaco centre-back, despite holding only Ghanaian nationality, took three years to answer his country's call.

He accepted just before the World Cup and has been ever-present since—a rare example of a late arrival turning into a genuine success story.

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