Several of football’s most recognised players have begun their senior international careers representing one nation before making the surprising decision to switch allegiance to another.

While it may sound unusual, such transitions are not as rare as they appear. Many players are eligible to represent multiple nations, often being scouted by different federations from a young age. FIFA regulations also permit players to change national teams before making a competitive senior appearance.

Switching after playing for one country at youth level is fairly common, but representing one nation at senior level and then moving to another is more complicated, though current rules make it possible under certain conditions.

Here’s a look at nine footballers in recent times who have worn the jerseys of more than one national side at senior level.

To start with, Cristian Volpato’s decision to move from Italy to Australia on the eve of the 2026 World Cup caught many by surprise due to its sheer opportunism. Having previously declined an Australian call-up, the Sassuolo winger joined the Socceroos’ training camp in Los Angeles ahead of the tournament. Given Italy’s failure to qualify for three consecutive World Cups, Volpato’s choice seems to have been driven more by logic than emotion.

Next up is Carney Chukwuemeka. Despite featuring for England at the Under-21 level, he was unlikely to break into the senior squad and opted earlier this year to pledge his allegiance to Austria. The former Aston Villa and Chelsea midfielder will now appear for Austria in their first World Cup since 1998.

Diego Costa’s case is among the most talked about. Born and raised in Brazil, Costa moved to Europe at 17, joining Braga in Portugal. He earned two caps for Brazil under Luiz Felipe Scolari in March 2013 friendlies but was soon courted by the Spanish Football Federation. After receiving Spanish citizenship in July 2013, Costa formally requested the Brazilian federation to release him so he could play for Spain. Although Scolari was displeased, Costa made his Spain debut under Vicente del Bosque in January 2014 and featured in that summer’s World Cup.

Steven Caulker’s career has been anything but ordinary. Once deployed as an emergency striker for Liverpool, the defender—currently a player-manager in Spain’s fifth division—earned his solitary England cap under Roy Hodgson in 2012 after representing Team GB at the London Olympics. In 2018, he explored the possibility of playing for Scotland, but that never materialised. Eventually, he resumed his international career with Sierra Leone in 2021, earning 13 caps and featuring in the Africa Cup of Nations that year.

Wilfried Zaha’s story is another well-known example. After excelling in England’s youth setup, the winger made his senior debut for England in November 2012 under Hodgson, appearing in two friendlies. Since friendlies do not permanently bind a player to a national team under FIFA rules, Zaha decided to switch to the Ivory Coast in 2017 after not being selected again for England. Despite Gareth Southgate’s efforts to persuade him to stay, Zaha chose to represent his birth nation and has since made 36 appearances for the Elephants, scoring five goals.

Declan Rice’s switch remains one of the most controversial. Born in London, Rice represented the Republic of Ireland at youth and senior levels, qualifying through his grandparents. After debuting for Ireland and establishing himself as a top Premier League midfielder with West Ham, Rice reconsidered his future. Having been omitted from Ireland’s squad in 2018, he ultimately declared for England in early 2019. Rice made his England debut in Euro 2020 qualifiers that March and has since become a key figure for the Three Lions, often captaining the side. Ireland fans, already disappointed by losing Jack Grealish, found this switch particularly painful.

Houssem Aouar once seemed destined to be a future French star after shining with Lyon. However, in 2023, he opted to represent Algeria, his parents’ homeland, despite having played once for France and progressing through its youth ranks. Aouar later admitted he regretted playing for France, saying, “The Algerian football president extended his hand to me, and it just felt right. I was given a second chance and I took it.”

Geoffrey Kondogbia’s story highlights France’s incredible depth in talent. Despite making 57 appearances at youth level and five senior appearances in friendlies, he couldn’t secure a long-term place with Les Bleus. In 2018, he switched allegiance to the Central African Republic, where he now serves as captain, though the team has yet to qualify for a World Cup.

Perhaps the most intriguing of all is Inaki Williams, who has represented three different international teams. Born in Bilbao, he first appeared for Spain in a Euro 2016 warm-up friendly but received no further caps. Two years later, he played for the Basque Country’s national side, which is not affiliated with FIFA or UEFA and thus only participates in friendlies. This allowed Williams to later represent Ghana, his parents’ birthplace. Initially hesitant about taking a spot from a native-born player, he joined the Ghanaian team ahead of the 2022 World Cup and has since earned 17 caps for the Black Stars.