Why does Paul-Georges Ntep play for Cameroon?

Birthplace and citizenship

Paul-Georges Ntep was born in Cameroon; holds Cameroon and France citizenship.

International career path

His international pathway, as recorded on Wikidata:

He played senior football for France before switching. Since FIFA's 2020 rule change, a player who won no more than three senior caps (all before turning 21, none at a World Cup or continental finals) can change association once, after a three-year wait.

• France U18 — under-18 level, 2010 (1 match, 0 goals)
• France U19 — under-19 level, 2011 (2 matches, 0 goals)
• France U20 — under-20 level, 2013 (5 matches, 2 goals)
• France U19 — under-19 level, 2013
• France U21 — under-21 level, 2013–2014 (15 matches, 9 goals)
• France — senior level, 2015 (2 matches, 0 goals)
• Cameroon — senior level, 2018–2019 (4 matches, 1 goal)

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 →