Why does Cheick Fantamady Diarra play for Mali?
Born in Bamako, Mali · Citizenship: France, Mali
Short answer
Cheick Fantamady Diarra plays for Mali because he holds Malian nationality and chose to represent the country at senior level (first senior call-up on record: 2008).
Birthplace and citizenship
Cheick Fantamady Diarra was born in Mali; holds France and Mali citizenship.
International career path
His international pathway, as recorded on Wikidata:
- Mali — senior level, 2008–present
- Mali U20 — under-20 level, 2011 (7 matches, 0 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 Cheick Fantamady Diarra play for Mali?
Cheick Fantamady Diarra holds Malian nationality and chose to represent Mali at senior level.
Where was Cheick Fantamady Diarra born?
Cheick Fantamady Diarra was born in Bamako, Mali.
What nationality is Cheick Fantamady Diarra?
Wikidata lists Cheick Fantamady Diarra as a citizen of France and Mali.