Why does Alban Sabah play for Togo?
Born in Kpalimé, Togo · Citizenship: Germany
Short answer
Alban Sabah plays for Togo because he holds Togolese nationality and chose to represent the country at senior level (first senior call-up on record: 2014).
Birthplace and citizenship
Alban Sabah was born in Togo.
International career path
His international pathway, as recorded on Wikidata:
He only played youth football for Germany U18. Youth caps do not tie a player to a country, so he was free to choose Togo for senior football.
- Germany U18 — under-18 level, 2009–2010 (7 matches, 0 goals)
- Togo — senior level, 2014–present
- Togo — senior level, 2015–present
The rules in brief
A player can represent a country if they hold its nationality and have a genuine link to it: birth on its territory, a parent or grandparent born there, or several years of residency. Youth matches do not tie a player to a country. Since 2020, FIFA also lets a player switch once after a small number of senior appearances (no more than three, all before turning 21, none at a World Cup or continental finals) after a three-year wait.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Alban Sabah play for Togo?
Alban Sabah holds Togolese nationality and chose to represent Togo at senior level.
Where was Alban Sabah born?
Alban Sabah was born in Kpalimé, Togo.
What nationality is Alban Sabah?
Wikidata lists Alban Sabah as a citizen of Germany.