Immigration to football: How have dual nationalities changed the competitive landscape of the World Cup?

Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:

Arrival Morocco national team Reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup is not just a historic sporting achievement, but also a pivotal moment that reopened the debate about the role of immigration in shaping the strength of national teams.

Before the start of the tournament, the “Atlas Lions” were not among the favorites, as the team was ranked 22nd globally and had never gone beyond the round of 16. However, the team surprised the world by eliminating major teams such as Belgium, Spain and Portugal, becoming the first African team to reach the semi-finals.

14 out of 26 players in the Moroccan national team squad were born outside the country.

Behind this achievement, a remarkable factor emerged: 14 out of 26 players on Morocco’s roster were born outside the country, the highest percentage among the tournament’s teams, highlighting the impact of diaspora players in modern football.

This trend is not limited to Morocco, but is escalating globally. With the approach of the 2026 World Cup, it is estimated that about a quarter of the participating players were born in countries other than those they represent, in a precedent that reflects profound shifts in the structure of international football.

In some national teams, the proportions far exceed this average, as the Curaçao national team relies almost entirely on players born abroad, while national teams such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Morocco have high proportions of players from the diaspora.

Historically, this phenomenon was not new, but it has become more organized since FIFA established clear regulations for eligibility to represent national teams in 1962. Today, players benefit from rules that allow them to represent countries linked to their family roots or residence.

Numerous examples stand out, such as Ivan Rakitic, who was born in Switzerland but chose to represent Croatia out of a sense of belonging, and Pepe, who was born in Brazil and became a pillar of the Portuguese national team after obtaining citizenship.

The impact is not limited to players born abroad, but extends to the second generation of immigrants, as was clearly demonstrated in the French national team that won the 2018 World Cup, which included a large number of players of African origin.

These formations reflect a deeper history of migration and colonial ties, as in France, or the impact of conflict and forced migration, as in Switzerland with players of Yugoslavian origin.

In England, the 2026 squad tells the story of a diverse community, with a large number of players having immigrant backgrounds, while England-born players represent other national teams around the world.

But the most important question is: Does this diversity affect performance on the field?

Recent studies suggest a positive correlation. Research has shown that national teams with players of immigrant backgrounds tend to achieve better results, with each additional foreign-born player associated with a slight increase in the number of matches the team plays in the tournament.

Other studies have also found that diversity within a team enhances offensive and defensive performance, thanks to the variety of skills and backgrounds, which is reflected in the goal difference significantly.

Analysts believe that migration has two main effects: expanding the pool of players available to national teams, and benefiting from different football schools, which creates a more integrated technical and physical mix.

However, success cannot be attributed to this factor alone. Argentina won the 2022 World Cup without relying on foreign-born players, benefiting from other factors such as player quality, technical stability, and the presence of a star like Lionel Messi.

Ultimately, migration may not be the sole determining factor, but it has undoubtedly become one of the most important elements shaping power in modern football. With national teams increasingly relying on diaspora players, the competitive landscape of the World Cup no longer seems to be confined to national borders, but rather extends across continents.