Why does Georges Ba play for Ivory Coast?

Born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast · Citizenship: France, Ivory Coast

Short answer

Georges Ba plays for Ivory Coast because he holds Ivorian nationality and chose to represent the country at senior level (first senior call-up on record: 2003).

Birthplace and citizenship

Georges Ba was born in Ivory Coast; holds France and Ivory Coast citizenship.

International career path

His international pathway, as recorded on Wikidata:

  • Ivory Coast — senior level, 2003 (2 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.

Read our full guide to FIFA eligibility rules →

Frequently asked questions

Why does Georges Ba play for Ivory Coast?

Georges Ba holds Ivorian nationality and chose to represent Ivory Coast at senior level.

Where was Georges Ba born?

Georges Ba was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

What nationality is Georges Ba?

Wikidata lists Georges Ba as a citizen of France and Ivory Coast.