Why does Zakariya Souleymane play for Niger?

Born in Lyon, France · Citizenship: France, Niger

Short answer

Zakariya Souleymane represents Niger even though he was born in France. FIFA rules allow a player to represent any country whose nationality he holds, provided he has a family or residency connection to it; he committed to Niger at senior level (first senior call-up on record: 2014).

Birthplace and citizenship

Zakariya Souleymane was born in Lyon, France; holds France and Niger citizenship.

Being born in France normally gives a player the right to represent France too, if he holds that nationality. Representing Niger 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 Zakariya Souleymane, so we do not guess.

International career path

His international pathway, as recorded on Wikidata:

Niger — senior level, 2014–present

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.