Why does Mario Lemina play for Gabon?
Born in Libreville, Gabon · Citizenship: France, Gabon
Short answer
Mario Lemina plays for Gabon because he holds Gabonese nationality and chose to represent the country at senior level (first senior call-up on record: 2015).
Birthplace and citizenship
Mario Lemina 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 U20 and France U21. Youth caps do not tie a player to a country, so he was free to choose Gabon for senior football.
- France U21 — under-21 level, 2013 (1 match, 0 goals)
- France U20 — under-20 level, 2013 (6 matches, 0 goals)
- Gabon — senior level, 2015–present (42 matches, 5 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 Mario Lemina play for Gabon?
Mario Lemina holds Gabonese nationality and chose to represent Gabon at senior level.
Where was Mario Lemina born?
Mario Lemina was born in Libreville, Gabon.
What nationality is Mario Lemina?
Wikidata lists Mario Lemina as a citizen of France and Gabon.