Why does Thierno Bah play for Guinea?
Born in Labé, Guinea · Citizenship: Guinea, Switzerland
Short answer
Thierno Bah plays for Guinea because he holds Guinean nationality and chose to represent the country at senior level (first senior call-up on record: 2011).
Birthplace and citizenship
Thierno Bah was born in Guinea; holds Guinea and Switzerland citizenship.
International career path
His international pathway, as recorded on Wikidata:
He only played youth football for Switzerland U21. Youth caps do not tie a player to a country, so he was free to choose Guinea for senior football.
- Switzerland U21 — under-21 level, 2002–2004 (20 matches, 0 goals)
- Guinea — senior level, 2011–present (14 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.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Thierno Bah play for Guinea?
Thierno Bah holds Guinean nationality and chose to represent Guinea at senior level.
Where was Thierno Bah born?
Thierno Bah was born in Labé, Guinea.
What nationality is Thierno Bah?
Wikidata lists Thierno Bah as a citizen of Guinea and Switzerland.