The weight of the Three Lions: Football, colonialism, diaspora

When England faces Ghana, a former colony, four players with similar backgrounds stand out: Kobbie Mainoo, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Jerome Opoku, and Antoine Semenyo. All were born in England and shaped by English football, yet only Mainoo plays for England; the others represent Ghana. This situation questions allegiances, according to the author.

Research from the University of Oxford's Migration Observatory shows that nearly a quarter of the 1,248 players selected for the 2026 World Cup were born in a different country from the one they represent, up from less than 9% in 2006. FIFA's eligibility changes have expanded talent pools, narrowing the gap between traditional powers and the rest.

The author notes that many of England's 26 players are descendants of former British colonies. Milestones for Black English players include Viv Anderson as the first Black player in 1978, Luther Blissett as the first Black scorer in 1982, and Paul Ince as the first Black captain in 1993. As of June 2026, 127 Black players have debuted for England.

However, this pride comes with a contradiction: the same country that turns Black footballers into symbols of national glory can make their belonging feel conditional. The English media often treats players like Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka more harshly, reflecting microaggressions.

The article highlights a growing trend of diaspora players choosing to represent their ancestral nations, such as Morocco reaching the 2022 World Cup semifinals. The author argues that football mirrors society, and these choices are part of history arguing with itself, hoping for a better future on and off the pitch.