Last Wednesday’s 4-2 win against Croatia has fuelled hopes of a successful summer for Thomas Tuchel and England, who are likely to meet some old acquaintances if they progress far at the World Cup.
Whilst Tuchel’s England squad sparked initial controversy with big-name omissions such as Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold, the German manager could have been left with even tougher choices to make if a group of former Three Lions youth stars hadn’t switched allegiances at senior level prior to the tournament.
Despite success early in their career for The Young Lions, over a dozen players competing at this summer’s World Cup have opted not to represent England at senior international level – and could feasibly end up hurting them if they come face to face with Tuchel’s men later in the tournament.
Here, Daily Mail Sport takes a look at those who once sported England’s red and white colours and have since pledged allegiance to another team.
Germany: Jamal Musiala
England youth caps: 19 (U15, U16, U17, U21)
Undoubtedly the most high-profile of these players is Bayern Munich and Germany ace Jamal Musiala, who in 2021 decided that his international future lay with the four-time World Cup winners, despite making 19 appearances for England across their youth age group teams.
Jamal Musiala made 19 appearances for England at youth level before switching to Germany
In what he described as ‘not an easy decision’, the former Chelsea youth product was persuaded after meeting with Germany’s then-manager Joachim Low, who outlined a clear plan for him in the senior set-up.
Musiala’s decision quickly paid off with a call-up to Euro 2020, where he became Germany’s youngest ever player to feature at a tournament.
He has since represented Germany at the 2022 World Cup, 2024 European Championship – where he picked up a share of the golden boot – and this year’s World Cup.
Musiala has already got off the mark at the tournament too, having netted in Germany’s 7-1 thumping over minnows Curacao.
USA: Folarin Balogun
England youth caps: 28 (U17, U18, U20, U21)
Another player catching the attention of the footballing world at the 2026 World Cup is Folarin Balogun, who has been in scintillating form for co-hosts USA.
Having grown up in London representing Arsenal for the entirety of his youth career, it seemed Balogun’s eyes were set on the senior England team, with seven goals in 13 appearances for England U21s showcasing his talent.
Yet the Monaco forward had another option – Balogun had been born in New York after his mother was stopped from boarding a return flight, deemed too heavily pregnant to travel back from holiday.
Ex-Young Lions star Folarin Balogun has scored two goals already for USMNT at the World Cup
In 2023, Balogun made the switch to the USMNT in a move that has paid off hugely. This summer, the striker has already played an instrumental role in the USA being named Group D winners, scoring a brace in their opening 4-1 win against Paraguay.
With questions marks lingering over England’s long-term replacement for Harry Kane in future years, Three Lions fans may end up wishing Balogun had chosen differently.
DR Congo: Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe
Wan Bissaka – England youth caps: 5 (U20, U21)
Tuanzebe – England youth caps: 12 (U19, U20, U21)
England’s opening win over Croatia may have garnered most of last Wednesday’s headlines, but it was a historic night for DR Congo, who scored their first ever World Cup goal in a surprise 1-1 draw with Portugal.
Lining up in defence that night for the impressive DR Congo were two former England youth team players in Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
DR Congo duo Axel Tuanzebe (centre) and Aaron Wan Bissaka (right) also switched from England, having both previously been team-mates for several years at Manchester United
Having both spent several years together at Manchester United and represented England up to U21 level, both players have made the decision to represent the African nation over the past two years, with Tuanzebe scoring the goal to send DR Congo to only their second ever World Cup in March’s play off against Jamaica.
Wan-Bissaka, who in 2019 stated his desire to break into the England team, struggled with the fierce competition in his position, with the likes of Kyle Walker, Reece James and Alexander-Arnold previously preferred at right-back.
The full-back is now looking to make history with DR Congo this tournament as a mainstay in the side.
Scotland: Che Adams and George Hirst
Adams – England youth caps: 2 (U20)
Hirst – England youth caps: 40 (U17, U18, U19, U20)
After falling to a 1-0 defeat by Morocco on Friday night, Scotland are left potentially needing a result in their final group game against Brazil to qualify for the knockout stages – and will be hoping two ex-England youth team strikers can play a key role.
Scots Che Adams (front) and George Hirst (back) once played for England’s youth teams
Newly-promoted Ipswich striker George Hirst and Che Adams, who plies his trade in Italy with Torino, will both be hoping to get on the scoresheet for the Scots on Wednesday despite both having previously represented the Young Lions.
Former Southampton striker Adams, who played twice for England U20 back in 2015, committed his allegiance to Steve Clarke’s team in 2021, with this now being his third tournament for Scotland.
Meanwhile, Hirst – who was named in the team of the 2017 Toulon Tournament for England U17s – decided last year to switch to Scotland and will be hoping to make an impression in his debut major tournament.
Austria: Carney Chukwuemeka
England youth caps: 25 (U17, U18, U19, U20)
The most recent English footballer to pledge allegiance to another national side is Vienna-born Carney Chukwuemeka, who is representing Austria in their first World Cup appearance since 1998.
England’s most recent youth star to pledge allegiance to another side is Carney Chukwuemeka
Chukwuemeka, who was riddled with injuries during his time with Chelsea, seems to have put these issues to bed, making 28 appearances with Borussia Dortmund this past season and earning a call up to ex-Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick’s side.
Chukwuemeka played half an hour in Austria’s opening 3-1 win over World Cup debutants Jordan, before featuring for six minutes of their 2-0 defeat by Argentina, who triumphed again thanks to Lionel Messi’s record-breaking double.
