Why does Catilina Aubameyang play for Gabon?
Born in Libreville, Gabon · Citizenship: France, Gabon
Short answer
Catilina Aubameyang plays for Gabon because he holds Gabonese nationality and chose to represent the country at senior level (first senior call-up on record: 2004).
Birthplace and citizenship
Catilina Aubameyang was born in Gabon; holds France and Gabon citizenship.
International career path
His international pathway, as recorded on Wikidata:
He only played youth football for France U19. Youth caps do not tie a player to a country, so he was free to choose Gabon for senior football.
- France U19 — under-19 level, 2001 (2 matches, 0 goals)
- Gabon — senior level, 2004–2007 (9 matches, 1 goal)
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 Catilina Aubameyang play for Gabon?
Catilina Aubameyang holds Gabonese nationality and chose to represent Gabon at senior level.
Where was Catilina Aubameyang born?
Catilina Aubameyang was born in Libreville, Gabon.
What nationality is Catilina Aubameyang?
Wikidata lists Catilina Aubameyang as a citizen of France and Gabon.