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England’s Immigrant Footballers*
at the 2026 World Cup
The English team reflects successive waves of immigration that have influenced both the nation and its most popular sport.
By The Immigrant Times
Jude Bellingham, who has Irish and Kenyan family roots, scored against Croatia and Panama during England’s group-stage campaign. Harry Kane, the English captain, scored three goals to place England at the top of their group. Marc Guéhi, born in the Ivory Coast, made his senior debut for England in 2022.
World Cup update (2 July 2026)
England among the last 16, after two late goals by Harry Kane
England versus the DR of the Congo
England advanced to the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after coming from behind to beat the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2–1. All of England’s goals were scored by a player featured in this article. Captain Harry Kane, whose father was born in Ireland, netted twice in the final 15 minutes to overturn an early Congolese lead, bringing his tournament tally to four goals. England will now face co-hosts Mexico in the last 16 as they continue their pursuit of a first World Cup title since 1966.
England's group matches
England finished the group stage with a 2–0 win over Panama after beginning their World Cup campaign with a 4–2 victory against Croatia. All six of England’s goals so far have been scored by players with migrant family backgrounds featured in this article. Jude Bellingham scored in both matches, while Harry Kane also netted against Croatia and Panama. Marcus Rashford completed England’s scoring in the opening win over Croatia.
Introduction
June 2026: England’s national football team has undergone significant change over the past fifty years. Once made up mostly of players whose families had lived in England for generations, today’s squad reflects successive waves of immigration that have influenced both the nation and its most popular sport.
The 2026 World Cup squad features ten players either born abroad or whose parents or grandparents settled in England from another country. Their family histories span from Ireland and the Caribbean to West and East Africa, showcasing the diverse backgrounds that have shaped modern English football.
* For this article in the World Cup series, The Immigrant Times has defined ‘immigrant footballers’ as those born abroad or whose parents or grandparents settled in England.
Immigration and English football
In 1971, Benjamin Odeje became the first Black footballer to represent England at any level when he played for the England Schoolboys. Seven years later, Viv Anderson became the first Black player to earn a full senior England cap, marking an important milestone in the history of English football.
The decades that followed saw increasing numbers of players from immigrant families establish themselves in the national team. One of the most influential was John Barnes, who was born in Jamaica before moving to England as a child. Widely regarded as one of England’s greatest footballers, Barnes inspired a generation with his skill and creativity while also confronting the racist abuse that remained common in the game during the 1980s.
Barnes was followed by other outstanding players from migrant families, including Rio Ferdinand, whose family roots include Saint Lucia, Ashley Cole, whose family has Barbadian roots, and Raheem Sterling, who was born in Jamaica before moving to England as a young child.
The England team at the 2026 World Cup, led by German coach Thomas Tuchel, is among the most diverse in the history of English football.
England’s World Cup squad
Players with migrant family backgrounds
(In alphabetical order by surname)
Jude Bellingham
Born on 29 June 2003 in Stourbridge, West Midlands. His father has Irish roots, while his mother has Kenyan family roots, giving him a background shaped by migration.
Position: Midfielder
Club career: Bellingham started his professional journey with Birmingham City before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2020. After establishing himself as one of Europe’s top young midfielders, he transferred to Real Madrid in 2023, where he has secured major domestic and international honours.
Current club: Real Madrid
International career: Bellingham played for England at youth level before making his senior debut in 2020. He quickly became one of the team’s key players and was chosen for the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.
Jude Bellingham scored in England’s 4-2 victory against Croatia. He also netted the opening goal in England’s 2-0 win over Panama.
Eberechi Eze
Born on 29 June 1998 in Greenwich, London. His parents emigrated from Nigeria before he was born.
Position: Attacking midfielder / winger
Club career: Eze developed through the youth systems of various London clubs before making his professional debut with Queens Park Rangers. In 2020, he joined Crystal Palace, where his creativity and dribbling skills established him as one of the Premier League’s most exciting attacking talents. He joined Arsenal in 2025
Current club: Arsenal
International career: After representing England at the youth level, Eze made his senior debut in 2023. He secured a place in England’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Marc Guéhi
Born on 13 July 2000 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, he moved to England with his family as a young child.
Position: Centre-back
Club career: Guéhi progressed through Chelsea’s academy before gaining first-team experience on loan at Swansea City. In 2021, he joined Crystal Palace, where he established himself as one of the Premier League’s leading defenders. He joined Manchester City in 2026.
Current club: Manchester City
International career: He represented England at youth level before making his senior debut in 2022. He was an important player at the 2022 World Cup and was once again selected for England’s 2026 World Cup squad.
Harry Kane
Born on 28 July 1993 in Walthamstow, north-east London. His father was born in Galway, Ireland, and his mother’s family also has Irish roots.
Position: Striker
Club career: Kane progressed through Tottenham Hotspur’s academy before becoming the club’s all-time leading goalscorer. Frustrated by Tottenham’s inability to win any silverware, he decided to leave for German record champions Bayern Munich, where he was instrumental in winning successive Bundesliga championships and the DFB Pokal (German Football Association cup). In his second season with Bayern, he was named ‘Player of the Season’.
Current club: Bayern Munich
International career: Kane made his senior debut for England in 2015 and has captained the national team at several major tournaments. England’s all-time leading goalscorer, he was once again chosen to lead his country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Harry Kane scored twice in England's win over DR of the Congo.
Harry Kane converted a penalty in England’s opening game against Croatia and added another goal. He also scored in the final group game against Panama.
Ezri Konsa
Born on 23 October 1997 in Newham, London. His father is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and his mother is from Angola.
Position: Centre-back
Club career: Konsa came through the youth system at Charlton Athletic before joining Brentford. He established himself in the Premier League after moving to Aston Villa in 2019, becoming one of England’s most consistent central defenders.
Current club: Aston Villa
International career: After representing England at youth level, Konsa made his senior debut in 2024. His performances earned him a place in England’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Noni Madueke
Born on 10 March 2002 in Barnet, north London. His parents emigrated from Nigeria before his birth.
Position: Winger
Club career: Madueke began his football education in England before joining PSV Eindhoven’s academy in the Netherlands. After establishing himself in the Dutch Eredivisie, he returned to the Premier League with Chelsea, where he developed into one of England’s most promising attacking players. He joined Arsenal in 2025.
Current club: Arsenal
International career: Having represented England at various youth levels, Madueke made his senior debut in 2024. His pace and direct attacking style earned him selection for England’s squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Morgan Rogers
Born on 26 July 2002 in Halesowen, West Midlands. He traces his Jamaican heritage to his father's side of the family, which made him eligible to represent Jamaica internationally; he has consistently remained committed to England.
Position: Forward / winger
Club career: Rogers advanced through West Bromwich Albion’s youth system before moving to Manchester City as a teen. After loan spells with a number of English clubs, he played one season for Middlesbrough FC before making a name for himself in the Premier League with Aston Villa, where his versatility and attacking prowess drew national attention.
Current club: Aston Villa
International career: After representing England at the youth level, Rogers made his senior debut in 2025. He was selected for England’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Marcus Rashford
Born on 31 October 1997 in Manchester. His family has Caribbean roots, with his maternal grandmother born in Saint Kitts and Nevis before settling in England.
Position: Forward
Club career: Rashford graduated from Manchester United’s academy, and after spending the first ten years of his professional career at Manchester United, Rashford joined Barcelona on loan in 2025. Renowned for his speed, finishing, and versatility, he has secured major domestic honours in both England and Spain.
Current club: Manchester United, on loan to Barcelona
International career: Rashford made his senior England debut in 2016 and has represented England at multiple major tournaments. He returned to the World Cup squad in 2026 after rediscovering his best form at club level.
Marcus Rashford scored in England’s 4:2 win over Croatia.
Bukayo Saka
Born on 5 September 2001 in Ealing, West London. His parents emigrated from Nigeria before his birth.
Position: Winger
Club career: Saka joined Arsenal’s academy as a child and rose through the club’s youth ranks to become one of the Premier League’s top attacking players. Equally adept on either wing, he has become an important figure for both club and country.
Current club: Arsenal
International career: Saka played for England at the youth level before making his senior debut in 2020. Since then, he has become one of England’s most impactful attacking players and was chosen for the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.
Ivan Toney
Born on 16 March 1996 in Northampton. His father is of Vincentian descent, and his mother has Jamaican roots, reflecting two longstanding Caribbean migration communities in Britain.
Position: Striker
Club career: Toney started his professional career with Northampton Town before playing for Newcastle United, Peterborough United and Brentford, where he became one of the Premier League’s top goalscorers. He later transferred to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
Current club: Al-Ahli
International career: Toney made his senior England debut in 2023 and represented his country at UEFA Euro 2024. He was selected for England’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, providing experience and goalscoring depth in attack.
The knockout stages
England, France and Germany have advanced to the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup. The Immigrant Times will continue examining the migration stories behind prominent national teams as the tournament progresses.
Sources: The Football Association: England men’s national team squad and player profiles; FIFA: 2026 FIFA World Cup squad lists and tournament information; Official club websites (Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Crystal Palace, Al-Ahli and others where applicable: player biographies and career histories; BBC Sport: match reports and tournament coverage; Reuters: World Cup reports, squad updates and verified football news; England Football Online: historical information on England internationasl; The Black Footballers Partnership and published historical material on Benjamin Odeje, Viv Anderson, and the development of Black footballers in England; The National Football Museum: historical background, where relevant; Encyclopaedia Britannica: biographical cross-checks, where appropriate.
Further reading from The Immigrant Times: French immigrant footballers at the 2026 Football World Cup || German immigrant footballers at the 2026 Football World Cup ||
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