Short answer
Fabiano Lako represents South Sudan even though he was born in Sudan. 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 South Sudan at senior level (first senior call-up on record: 2013).
Birthplace and citizenship
Fabiano Lako was born in Sudan.
Being born in Sudan normally gives a player the right to represent Sudan too, if he holds that nationality. Representing South Sudan 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 Fabiano Lako, so we do not guess.
International career path
His international pathway, as recorded on Wikidata:
- South Sudan — senior level, 2013–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 Fabiano Lako play for South Sudan?
Fabiano Lako holds South Sudanese nationality and chose to represent South Sudan at senior level despite being born in Sudan.
Where was Fabiano Lako born?
Fabiano Lako was born in Sudan.
Could Fabiano Lako have played for Sudan?
Probably, if he holds Sudan 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.
Other Sudan-born players who chose South Sudan
- Machop CholKhartoum · b. 1998
- Richard JustinKhartoum · b. 1979
- Goma Genaro AwadOmdurman · b. 1982
- Jimmy ErestoSudan · b. 1992