It has been confirmed that a France-born striker who represented Les Bleus more than 50 times at youth level has accepted a call-up to the Ivory Coast national team for their upcoming matches.
West Ham United striker Sebastien Haller is expected to make his debut for the African country next week after accepting a call-up to Patrice Beaumelle's squad.
The 26-year-old qualifies to represent the Elephants through his mother, who was born in Ivory Coast. The striker once looked set to play for France, but has so far been overlooked by Didier Deschamps.
He made 51 Les Bleus appearances at youth level, including 20 matches for the U21 team, for whom he scored 13 goals.
It is according to the Hammers' official website that Haller has accepted his maiden call-up for Ivory Coast, where he will join forces with fellow Premier League stars such as Wilfried Zaha, Serge Aurier, Eric Bailly and Nicolas Pepe, who are all regulars.
Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Willy Boly, who was also born in France, also received a first Ivory Coast call-up and is set to make his debut in the upcoming international break.
Axel Tuanzebe (Manchester United) – born in DR Congo, capped for England at youth level
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United) – born in England, capped for England at youth level (eligible for DR Congo)
Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) – born in England, capped for England at youth level (eligible for Ghana)
Jules Kounde (Sevilla) – born in France, capped for France at youth level (eligible for Benin)
Matteo Guendouzi (Hertha Berlin, on loan from Arsenal) – born in France, capped for France at youth level (eligible for Morocco)
Moussa Dembele (Olympique Lyon) – born in France, capped for France at youth level (eligible for Mali)
Alban Lafont (Nantes, on loan from Fiorentina) – born in Burkina Faso, capped for France at youth level
Maxime Lopez (Sassuolo, on loan from Olympique Marseille) – born in France, capped for France at youth level (eligible for Algeria)
Dodi Lukebakio (Hertha Berlin) – born in Belgium, capped for Belgium at youth level (has represented DR Congo, is currently in Belgium squad)
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) – has played once for country of birth England in a friendly, still available for Nigeria
Related tags
