10 players who played for more than one country: Brazil’s embarrassment, the legend of 3 nations

The landscape of international football has undergone a dramatic transformation regarding player eligibility. Historically, the rules were relatively loose, but in 2004, FIFA responded to a growing trend of naturalizing foreign players by requiring a "clear connection" to a nation. Later, while citizenship became the primary gateway, players were strictly forbidden from switching if they had played in a competitive fixture. 

However, the modern era demanded more flexibility. In 2021, FIFA introduced a landmark amendment: players can now switch national teams even after playing in official competitions, provided they appeared in three or fewer matches before the age of 21 and at least three years have passed since their last appearance. These strict tiers were designed to prevent "stockpiling" talents and ensure genuine national loyalty.

Most players who played for more than one country pursue a switch due to dual citizenship, family heritage, or a lack of opportunities in their primary nation. Despite these rigorous hurdles, the footballing world has witnessed extraordinary cases of stars representing two different flags on the world’s biggest stages. Within the exclusive list revealed by Livescorecz, some individuals even managed to represent 3 different nations, a feat that once sparked intense debate among lawmakers.

Top 10 players who played for more than one country

10. Nacer Chadli (Morocco & Belgium)

Born in Belgium but proud of his Moroccan roots, Chadli debuted for Morocco in 2010 during a friendly where he was named Man of the Match. However, just a year later in 2011, he committed to Belgium. He became a staple of the Belgian "golden generation," earning over 60 caps and featuring in the 2014 and 2018 World Cups. 

His most iconic moment was a last-minute winner against Japan in 2018, helping Belgium secure a historic third-place finish.

9. Declan Rice (Ireland & England)

Rice’s journey remains one of the most discussed in modern history. Eligible for Ireland through his grandparents, he earned 3 senior caps in 2018. However, in 2019, he made the strategic move to represent England, his birth country. Since then, he has earned over 50 caps, playing every match in the Euro 2020 final run and becoming a cornerstone of the squad for the 2022 World Cup. At 27, he is still a vital leader for the Three Lions.

8. Geoffrey Kondogbia (France & Central African Republic) 

After earning 57 youth caps and 5 senior friendly caps for France between 2013 and 2015, Kondogbia found his path blocked in a crowded French midfield. Utilizing the "friendly-only" rule, he switched to his parents' homeland, the Central African Republic, in 2018. As a veteran captain, he remains the most high-profile player in their history, providing elite experience to the African nation.

7. Iñaki Williams (Spain & Ghana)

A legend at Athletic Bilbao with a record 251 consecutive La Liga appearances, Williams debuted for Spain in 2016. After years of being overlooked, he declared for Ghana in 2022. He spearheaded the Ghanaian attack at the 2022 World Cup, while his brother Nico played for Spain. 

6. Munir El Haddadi (Spain & Morocco) 

Munir’s case actually prompted the 2021 FIFA rule change. After a single 13-minute appearance for Spain in 2014, he was "trapped" for 7 years. Following a long legal battle, he finally debuted for Morocco in 2021. He represented the Atlas Lions at the 2021 AFCON, successfully reviving an international career that had been stalled by rigid bureaucracy.

5. Diego Costa (Brazil & Spain)

Costa played 2 friendlies for Brazil in 2013 but famously "defected" to Spain just before the 2014 World Cup hosted by Brazil. This move caused a national scandal. He went on to score 10 goals in 24 matches for Spain across the 2014 and 2018 World Cups. 

The aggressive striker retired from international duty after 2018, leaving a legacy as one of the most polarizing figures in international football history.

4. Wilfried Zaha (England & Ivory Coast)

Despite being one of the Premier League’s most lethal dribblers, Zaha only received 2 friendly caps for England in 2012. Feeling undervalued, he switched to the Ivory Coast in 2016. He has since earned 30 caps and scored 5 goals, representing the Elephants in multiple AFCON tournaments. 

3. Laszlo Kubala (Czechoslovakia, Hungary & Spain)

 Kubala is the only man on this list to play for 3 nations. He started with Czechoslovakia in 1946 (6 caps), moved to Hungary in 1948 (3 caps), and finally settled in Spain from 1953 to 1961, scoring 11 goals in 19 games. Despite his immense talent at Barcelona, he never played in a major tournament final, retiring in the late 1960s as a unique historical anomaly.

2. Thiago Motta (Brazil & Italy)

Motta represented Brazil in the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup but was ignored for years thereafter. In 2011, he obtained Italian citizenship and became a vital deep-lying playmaker for the Azzurri. He earned 30 caps, reaching the Euro 2012 final and playing in the 2014 World Cup. Motta retired from football in 2018 at age 35 and has since transitioned into a manager.

1. Ferenc Puskás (Hungary & Spain)

The greatest of them all, Puskás was the heart of Hungary's "Magical Magyars," winning Olympic gold in 1952 and reaching the 1954 World Cup final with 84 goals in 85 games. 

After moving to Real Madrid, he became a Spanish citizen and played for Spain in the 1962 World Cup. Although he didn't score for Spain, his dual-national legacy is immortalized by the FIFA Puskás Award. He passed away in 2006, forever remembered as a global icon.

10 players who switched national teams: 

Nacer Chadli - Morocco & Belgium

Declan Rice - Ireland & England

Geoffrey Kondogbia - France & Central African Republic 

Iñaki Williams - Spain & Ghana

Diego Costa - Brazil & Spain

Wilfried Zaha - England & Ivory Coast

Laszlo Kubala - Czechoslovakia, Hungary & Spain

Thiago Motta - Brazil & Italy

Ferenc Puskás - Hungary & Spain

These are the most prominent players who played for more than one country selected by Livescorecz.net based on their global impact and career success. While many other stars have changed allegiances, these ten individuals define the complexity and drama of international football. We invite you to join the discussion and share your thoughts on these historic moves.

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