Three Lions on Their Shoulders: Football, Colonialism, and the Diaspora

When England faced Ghana, a former colony of the British Empire, one striking detail emerged: look at Kobbie Boateng Mainoo, one of football's brightest young talents, alongside Brandon Thomas-Asante, Jerome Opoku, and Antoine Semenyo. All four share a similar background and story: born in England, socially and culturally shaped by English football, yet carrying Ghanaian blood. Only Mainoo wears the England shirt, while the other three chose Ghana.

This raises questions about loyalty and identity, not just for fans but for the players themselves. Research from the University of Oxford’s Migration Observatory shows that nearly a quarter of the 1,248 players called up to national teams for the 2026 World Cup were born in a different country from the one they represent. Two decades ago, that figure was under 9%. FIFA's eligibility rules have shifted, widening the talent pool from diaspora communities.

Football has never been just a game. It has always been a mirror reflecting society. Many England internationals are descendants of immigrants from Caribbean and African nations, former British colonies. Their presence on the pitch is testament to the complex ties between colonialism, migration, and modern football.

For the article’s author, a British-Nigerian-American, cheering for England has always come with contradictions. Pride in players of color like Ian Wright, Paul Ince, Bukayo Saka, or Jude Bellingham is real, but it is accompanied by a sense of ‘conditional belonging,’ as the British media often treats players of color more harshly—as seen in the cases of Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, or Andrew Cole.

Meanwhile, more and more players of African descent are choosing to represent African national teams instead of European football powers. Ibrahim Mbaye chose Senegal over France, Ayyoub Bouaddi opted for Morocco. Cape Verde and Morocco are proving their strength at the World Cup, narrowing the gap with traditional footballing nations. The Africa Cup of Nations is hailed as one of the most thrilling tournaments on the planet, and African teams are advancing rapidly thanks to talent from the diaspora.

So, when you watch England’s Kobbie Mainoo face off against Ghana’s Brandon Thomas-Asante, you are not just seeing a match—you are watching history debate itself. And hopefully, the future will prevail.