Why does Dialo Guidileye play for Mauritania?
Born in Mauritania, Mauritania · Citizenship: France, Mauritania
Short answer
Dialo Guidileye plays for Mauritania because he holds Mauritanian nationality and chose to represent the country at senior level (first senior call-up on record: 2013).
Birthplace and citizenship
Dialo Guidileye was born in Mauritania; holds France and Mauritania citizenship.
International career path
His international pathway, as recorded on Wikidata:
He only played youth football for France U20 and France U21. Youth caps do not tie a player to a country, so he was free to choose Mauritania for senior football.
- France U20 — under-20 level, 2009 (4 matches, 0 goals)
- France U21 — under-21 level, 2009
- Mauritania — senior level, 2013
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 Dialo Guidileye play for Mauritania?
Dialo Guidileye holds Mauritanian nationality and chose to represent Mauritania at senior level.
Where was Dialo Guidileye born?
Dialo Guidileye was born in Mauritania.
What nationality is Dialo Guidileye?
Wikidata lists Dialo Guidileye as a citizen of France and Mauritania.