Why does Amin Askar play for Ethiopia?
Born in Mogadishu, Somalia · Citizenship: Norway
Short answer
Amin Askar represents Ethiopia even though he was born in Somalia. FIFA rules allow a player to represent any country whose nationality he holds, provided he has a family or residency connection to it; he committed to Ethiopia at senior level (first senior call-up on record: 2014).
Birthplace and citizenship
Amin Askar was born in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Being born in Somalia normally gives a player the right to represent Somalia too, if he holds that nationality. Representing Ethiopia instead usually means a parent or grandparent was born there, or that the player lived there long enough to qualify through residency. Public records do not state which connection applied to Amin Askar, so we do not guess.
International career path
His international pathway, as recorded on Wikidata:
He only played youth football for Norway U18 and Norway U19. Youth caps do not tie a player to a country, so he was free to choose Ethiopia for senior football.
- Norway U18 — under-18 level, 2003 (3 matches, 0 goals)
- Norway U19 — under-19 level, 2004 (6 matches, 1 goal)
- Ethiopia — senior level, 2014–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 Amin Askar play for Ethiopia?
Amin Askar holds Ethiopian nationality and chose to represent Ethiopia at senior level despite being born in Somalia.
Where was Amin Askar born?
Amin Askar was born in Mogadishu, Somalia.
What nationality is Amin Askar?
Wikidata lists Amin Askar as a citizen of Norway.
Could Amin Askar have played for Somalia?
Probably, if he holds Somalia nationality, as players born in a country are eligible for it. Once a player has played a competitive senior match for one country, switching is only possible under narrow FIFA exceptions.