5 players who snubbed England to play for different countries at World Cup

Playing at a World Cup is viewed as the pinnacle by most professional footballers.

For many, that dream can only come true by representing the country of their birth. Yet some are eligible to play for another nation thanks to their ancestors or citizenship. In fact, there will be 17 English-born players representing other nations at the World Cup in Qatar - with the opening game between the hosts and Ecuador taking place on Sunday.

Poland defender Matty Cash was born in Slough, while Wales hero Jonny Williams comes from Kent. Of those 17 players, five of them played for England before switching their international allegiance. Here, Mirror Football takes a look at each of their careers.

Kieffer Moore

Bournemouth striker Moore made his Premier League debut just two days before his 30th birthday in August to complete a long journey to the top of the English pyramid. He started his career at non-league side Truro City while working as a lifeguard.

The Torquay-born star has since represented Norwegian side Viking, as well as the likes of Ipswich, Rotherham, Wigan and Cardiff. He's also won 28 senior caps for Wales and scored at Euro 2020. Yet the forward's career could've been very different.

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Moore represented England C - a non-league national side - in 2016 and almost agreed to play for China through his maternal great-grandfather. He travelled to Beijing in 2019 to discuss the idea, yet it failed to materialise. China's loss was Wales' gain, as he was called up to the senior team just a few months later through his paternal grandfather.

"I actually went out to Beijing," Moore told The Telegraph. "The plan was to give up my English citizenship and fully immerse myself in the culture. In the end we couldn't get it done in time. In truth I was quite happy, and my girlfriend was ecstatic. I've never once looked back."

Ethan Ampadu

Chelsea defender Ampadu, who is currently on loan at Italian side Spezia, has been a stalwart for Wales since making his debut aged 17 in November 2017. Now 22, the versatile player has racked up 37 senior caps and was also part of their squad at Euro 2020.

Yet Ampadu's story could've been different. The youngster, who qualifies for Wales through his mother, was born in Exeter and represented England at U16 level. But the talent was always going to play for Wales, as he revealed in September 2018.

"There was talk, but for me I've always been thinking about Wales anyway," he said. "As you could see tonight I really enjoy playing for Wales, the atmosphere, and everything around it. I've always felt part of the set-up and the senior players and staff have helped that."

Tariq Lamptey

Brighton right-back Lamptey was one of England's brightest youngsters. The London-born star, 22, represented the country of his birth at several youth levels and even played for the U21s as recently as March. Yet he announced his desire to represent Ghana in May.

Lamptey's parents are Ghanaian, and he would've struggled to break into England's squad ahead of Kyle Walker, Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier. He is expected to start Ghana's tournament opener against Portugal on Thursday.

Ike Ugbo

Troyes striker Ugbo has played and won silverware for England. The former U17 and U20 star, now 24, was part of the Three Lions squad that won the Toulon Tournament in the summer 2017, scoring a penalty in the shootout win against Ivory Coast in the final.

Ugbo was born in London to Nigerian parents but moved to Canada as a youngster. He returned to England to join Chelsea's academy aged nine and worked his way through the ranks - spending time on loan in the EFL, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Ugbo ditched Chelsea for Belgian side Genk in August 2021 and switched his international allegiance to Nigeria a month later. Yet he never played for Nigeria and was persuaded to join Canada's set up in November 2021. He's since won eight caps without scoring.

Brennan Johnson

Nottingham Forest star Johnson is a Nottingham lad. He joined Forest aged eight and scored 19 goals last season to fire them to the Premier League. His dad, former Jamaica international David, even found the net 50 times for the club between 2001 and 2006.

When it comes to international football, however, the 21-year-old is a Welshman. Although he was capped by England at youth level and was eligible to play for Jamaica, he made his senior debut for Wales in November 2020 and hasn't looked back, winning 15 caps.

"I did play for England, but I can't fault Wales," Johnson told BBC Sport in 2019. "It's been really good. Wales have made me feel at home and I am loving playing for them. The Welsh link is all my mum's side of the family, who I have been really close with all my life.

"I always see them - they always come round. They are all Wales fans and they have been telling me to play for Wales. I am enjoying coming away with the U21s and hopefully things can progress. Hopefully I can keep making them proud."

Johnson added: "You can see the lads who were playing for Wales U21s last year and have now progressed to the senior side. It's really good to be part of that."

English-born players representing other countries at the Qatar World Cup: Ethan Ampadu, Chris Mepham, Jonny Williams, Joe Morrell, Matthew Smith, Sobra Thomas, Daniel James, Kieffer Moore, Brennan Johnson (all Wales), Antonee Robinson, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Giovanni Reyna (all USA), Sam Adekugbe, Ike Ugbo (both Canada), Tariq Lamptey, Antoine Semenyo (both Ghana), Matty Cash (Poland).

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