Footballers with dual or multiple nationalities frequently face the challenge of choosing which country to represent internationally. Jamal Musiala, the young and immensely talented midfielder who plays for Bayern Munich and the German national team, has been central to this discussion.
Jamal Musiala was born in Stuttgart, Germany, on February 26, 2003, to a Nigerian father (Daniel Richard) and a German mother (Carolin Musiala).
He spent part of his childhood in Germany before moving to England at seven, where he joined Chelsea’s youth academy.
He later returned to Germany to sign with Bayern Munich. Musiala debuted for the Bayern Munich senior team at 17, making him one of the youngest players in Bundesliga history to feature for the club.
Jamal Musiala’s eligibility for international football
Jamal Musiala’s multicultural background made him eligible to represent three countries: Germany (through birth and maternal lineage), Nigeria (through paternal lineage), and England (through residency).
That led to significant speculation about which nation he would ultimately choose to represent at the international level.
Understanding FIFA’s Eligibility Rules
Before diving into Musiala’s specific case, it is essential to understand the rules governing player eligibility in international football.
FIFA, world football’s governing body, has established clear guidelines to determine which national team a player can represent. These rules include:
- Birthright: A player is eligible to represent the country of their birth.
- Parentage: A player can represent the country of their parents or grandparents.
- Residency: A player who has lived in a country for at least five years after age 18 can become eligible to represent that nation.
- Naturalisation: In some cases, players can acquire citizenship through naturalisation, making them eligible to represent that country.
- One-Time Switch: Players who have represented one country at the youth level but not at the senior level can apply for a one-time switch to another nation for which they are eligible.
These rules give players multiple options, especially those with dual or multiple nationalities. However, once a player represents a country in an official senior competitive match, they are tied to that nation and cannot switch allegiances.
Jama Musiala’s international career
Jamal Musiala’s international journey began with England, where he represented the Three Lions at various youth levels. He played for England’s U-15, U-16, U-17, and U-21 teams.
However, in February 2021, Musiala switched his allegiance to Germany, citing his strong connection to the country of his birth and his desire to play for Die Mannschaft.
Since then, Musiala has become a regular fixture in the German national team. He made his senior debut on March 25, 2021, in a World Cup qualifier against Iceland and has since earned numerous caps. Musiala has appeared at major tournaments like the UEFA Euro 2024.
The one-time switch rule and Jamal Musiala’s eligibility for Nigeria
Given that Musiala has already represented Germany at the senior level, whether he can still play for Nigeria hinges on FIFA’s one-time switch rule.
According to FIFA regulations, a player can only switch national teams if they meet the following criteria:
- They have not played in an official senior competitive match for their national team.
- They can represent the new national team through birth, parentage, or residency.
- They submit a formal request to FIFA for a change of association.
Since Jamal Musiala has already played in official senior competitive matches for Germany, he is no longer eligible to switch to Nigeria or any other national team.
His decision to represent Germany at the senior level has effectively tied him to Die Mannschaft for the remainder of his international career.
The Three-Year Rule
In September 2020, FIFA approved a rule change that allows players to switch three years later if they have played no more than three competitive matches at senior level before turning 21.
However, the players must not have appeared in FIFA World Cup matches or continental finals (e.g. the UEFA European Championship).
Since his debut in 2021, Jamal Musiala has continued to play for Germany, including in the UEFA Euro 2020 (played in 2021) and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. That makes him ineligible to player for Nigeria.
Also, as of February 2025, Jamal Musiala is 22 years old, and it has not been three years since he last played competitively for Germany. Therefore, he cannot play for Nigeria.
Comparisons to other players
Jamal Musiala’s situation is not unique in football. Many players with dual or multiple nationalities have faced similar dilemmas. One notable example is Erling Haaland, the Norwegian striker who plays for Manchester City.
Haaland, born in England to Norwegian parents, is eligible to represent England and Norway. However, he chose to play for Norway, the country of his parents and has become a key figure for the Norwegian national team.
Another example is Wilfried Zaha, the Ivorian winger who initially represented England at the youth level before switching to Ivory Coast, his birth country.
Zaha’s decision to switch allegiances was possible because he had not played in an official senior competitive match for England, allowing him to take advantage of FIFA’s one-time switch rule.
In contrast, Musiala’s case differs because he has already represented Germany at the senior level, closing the door on any potential switch to Nigeria.
Conclusion
Jamal Musiala’s rise to stardom has been remarkable, and his decision to represent Germany internationally is a testament to his connection to the country of his birth.
While his Nigerian heritage has sparked discussions about his eligibility to play for the Super Eagles, the reality is that Musiala’s senior appearances for Germany have permanently tied him to Die Mannschaft.
