CORNERFLICK
England’s quarter-final against Norway has brought one familiar name back into focus: Erling Haaland, who was born in Leeds and could have represented the country of his birth. He is among a long list of World Cup players who were eligible for England but chose, or later switched to, other nations.
The wider point is striking. Twenty of Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man squad for this World Cup were also eligible for other countries and stayed with England, while several high-profile players went elsewhere.
Among them are goalkeeper Marvin Keller, born in London and now with Switzerland; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who switched to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2025; and Antonee Robinson, born in Milton Keynes but committed to the United States in 2018. England-born forwards Antoine Semenyo and Folarin Balogun have also played for Ghana and the USA respectively.
Elsewhere, Jamal Musiala chose Germany after youth spells with England, Michael Olise opted for France, and Felix Nmecha went with Germany. Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay, born in Lancashire, also counts on the list.
Haaland, though, remains the one England might regret most. He has 60 goals in 53 games for Norway and has already scored seven at this World Cup.