A total of 289 players selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will represent countries other than the nations where they were born, highlighting the increasingly global nature of international football.
Among the participating nations, the Caribbean side Curaçao holds the record for the highest number of foreign-born players in its squad.
Out of the 26 players selected, 25 were born in the Netherlands but are eligible to represent Curaçao through heritage and nationality ties.
Former world champions France have three foreign-born players in their squad.
The trio includes Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram and Brice Samba, all of whom were born outside France.
Meanwhile, England have just one foreign-born player in their squad, defender Marc Guéhi, who was born in Côte d’Ivoire before moving to England at a young age.
The figures underline the diverse backgrounds of modern international footballers, with many players choosing to represent countries through family heritage, dual nationality, or residency qualifications under FIFA regulations.
