Born in a Ghanaian refugee camp to Liberian parents fleeing civil war. He arrived in Canada at five years old. He is now 25, and he captains the host nation at their home World Cup.

Born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents, his story began with an unusual twist. During a trip to New York, his heavily pregnant mother was refused permission by airline staff to fly back to London, leading to his birth in the United States. He scored twice on his debut, becoming the first American player to achieve that feat since 1930.

Fled South Sudan as a child. Spent years in a Kenyan refugee camp before his family was resettled in Adelaide. He now wears the Socceroos shirt and plays top-flight football in Europe.

Widely regarded as one of the finest if not the best midfielders in the world right now, His mother Denise is of Kenyan heritage, He plays for England and Real Madrid.

His father is Ghanaian. His mother is Japanese. He grew up in New Jersey. He is now Japan's first-choice goalkeeper,  a single human who is the meeting point of three continents.

Born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Moved to England as a child. Now wears the Three Lions. Ivory Coast is in his story. England is in his career. The border between them is more porous than it looks.

Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Brought to England as a small child. Now defends for one of the most watched national teams in the world.

Born in Geneva to parents from Angola and DR Congo. One of the breakout players of this tournament,  a midfielder who carries Central Africa in his name and Switzerland in his passport.