Why does Shalma Midje play for Equatorial Guinea?

Born in Zumaia, Spain · Citizenship: Equatorial Guinea, Spain

Short answer

Shalma Midje represents Equatorial Guinea even though she was born in Spain. FIFA rules allow a player to represent any country whose nationality she holds, provided she has a family or residency connection to it; she committed to Equatorial Guinea at senior level (first senior call-up on record: 2025).

Birthplace and citizenship

Shalma Midje was born in Zumaia, Spain; holds Equatorial Guinea and Spain citizenship.

Being born in Spain normally gives a player the right to represent Spain too, if she holds that nationality. Representing Equatorial Guinea 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 Shalma Midje, so we do not guess.

International career path

Her international pathway, as recorded on Wikidata:

Equatorial Guinea (women) — senior women's level, 2025–present (1 match, 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.