Michael Olise (France)
Born in Hammersmith, London, to a British-Nigerian father and a Franco-Algerian mother, Michael Olise was eligible to represent France, England, Algeria and Nigeria before committing to Les Bleus. The winger — full name Michael Akpovie Olise — has spent two seasons dismantling the doubts of those who questioned whether he could make the leap from Crystal Palace to the upper echelons of European football.
At Bayern Munich this season, he contributed 25 goals and 28 assists, figures that place him squarely in the Ballon d’Or conversation. He appears set to start ahead of Paris Saint-Germain’s Desire Doue in Didier Deschamps’ preferred line-up, and with Kylian Mbappe operating in a different role, the stage is set for Olise to be France’s most decisive attacking influence. His first World Cup could be the occasion that transforms him into a genuine global superstar.
Folarin Balogun (United States)
Born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents and raised in England, Folarin Balogun — full name Folarin Jolaoluwa Jerry Balogun — was eligible to represent Nigeria, England and the United States before committing to the USMNT in May 2023. He has since repaid that faith handsomely, emerging as Mauricio Pochettino’s undisputed first-choice striker.
