The outstanding individual performance of the World Cup so far has, without a doubt, come from Lionel Messi. There is no eclipsing a display that features a hat-trick that takes its owner to the top of the all-time World Cup scoring charts. One more goal and Messi will stand alone ahead of Miroslav Klose. And it was impossible not to be impressed by the clinical finishing of two striking titans, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
But in terms of subtly impacting a contest, Michael Olise produced one of the most accomplished halves of football to inspire the French comeback against Senegal. It was a contribution that was nicely described by Didier Deschamps.
“We were much better with Michael positioned in the heart of midfield,” said the France coach. “It brought much more cohesion. When Michael can play in between lines, between the defence and midfield, his passing quality allows us to find our attackers. Michael can play on both sides but the more he gets on the ball, the better.”
Olise's Rise to Elite Status
Even before a ball was kicked at World Cup 2026, Olise, 24, had established himself as a truly elite talent. But two years ago, Deschamps decided not to take Olise to the Euros and Gareth Southgate was asked if he was an option for England, having not played a senior game for the French. Southgate said a ‘transfer of association’ could not have been done in time for the Euros but that Olise ‘is a player we should have an interest in’. In fact, Southgate had shown an interest in Olise long before 2024. In early 2022, Southgate and his staff were hoping Olise might commit his future to England.
Born in Hammersmith and brought up in London by his British-Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother, Olise had four international options. But after confirming his allegiance, he said it had always been his ‘dream’ to play for the French national team.
England's Approach to Dual-Nationality Players
Jamal Musiala rose through the England youth ranks before deciding to represent Germany. And in that case, Southgate and the Football Association would argue that Olise committing himself to England was never a possibility. Fair enough. But there is also no doubt that England and the FA have never had an overly aggressive approach to convincing players with multi-national options that England is their best one.
Back in 2017, Southgate said: “It’s different to a club. If you don’t feel that internal 100 percent passion for playing for England, then I’m not sure it’s for me to sell that to you. It should be your desire to do it. Although I’m always willing to sit down with players, it should be them coming to us.”
It was a stance that was widely applauded. But it was questioned by a few when Jamal Musiala - who played for England at youth level through to the under-21s - chose to commit himself to Germany. He was born in Germany to a German mother but had moved to England at the age of seven. In early 2021, Joachim Low had told Musiala that if he opted for Germany, he would definitely be part of his squad for the Euros that summer. That was the sort of promise Southgate and the FA would not make.
Other Players Who Got Away
Erling Haaland was always going to play for Norway but was eligible to play for England through his birthplace. Of course, in these footballing days of global, professional fluidity, there are so many players who have more than one option when it comes to representing a country. Haaland’s country of birth is England. Folarin Balogun scored a couple for the United States in their opening game and he has 13 England under-21 caps. Jeremie Frimpong and Scott McTominay could have been representing England. But don’t forget, France is the birthplace of 98 players at this World Cup.
International football is, indeed, very, very fluid. But from an English point of view, it is still hard not to consider Michael Olise as one that got away.
