Why does Bonaventure Kalou play for Ivory Coast?
Born in Oumé, Ivory Coast · Citizenship: Ivory Coast, Kingdom of the Netherlands
Short answer
Bonaventure Kalou plays for Ivory Coast because he holds Ivorian nationality and chose to represent the country at senior level (first senior call-up on record: 1998).
Birthplace and citizenship
Bonaventure Kalou was born in Ivory Coast; holds Ivory Coast and Kingdom of the Netherlands citizenship.
International career path
His international pathway, as recorded on Wikidata:
- Ivory Coast — senior level, 1998–2006 (47 matches, 10 goals)
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 Bonaventure Kalou play for Ivory Coast?
Bonaventure Kalou holds Ivorian nationality and chose to represent Ivory Coast at senior level.
Where was Bonaventure Kalou born?
Bonaventure Kalou was born in Oumé, Ivory Coast.
What nationality is Bonaventure Kalou?
Wikidata lists Bonaventure Kalou as a citizen of Ivory Coast and Kingdom of the Netherlands.