Fikayo Tomori was not included in the England national team's World Cup squad announced on Nov. 10, 2022 [1].
The omission highlights the complex nature of international eligibility for players born in one country who represent another. For Canadian soccer fans, the absence of a Calgary-born talent from the England roster serves as a reminder of a player who could have potentially bolstered the Canadian national team.
Tomori, born in 1997 [2], spent his developmental years pursuing a career with England. While he has represented England at the U-17, U-19, and U-21 levels, he has never played for Canada at any level [3]. This distinction remains a point of contention among some supporters who mistakenly recall him representing Canada as a youth player.
"I have always dreamed of playing for England," Tomori said [4].
England's final squad consisted of 26 players [5]. The decision to leave Tomori off the list sparked discussion in his birth city of Calgary, Alberta. A Toronto Sun columnist said that leaving out a player born in Calgary would frustrate Canadian fans [6].
Despite the frustration expressed by some in North America, Tomori's commitment to the English side remained firm. A CBC Sports analyst said that Tomori never represented Canada at any youth level and that his international career has always been with England [7].
This path is common for dual-national players who must choose a single federation for senior competition. Tomori's choice to stick with England meant he was ineligible for Canada regardless of his standing in the England squad. His exclusion from the 2022 roster left him as a spectator for the tournament despite his youth success with the Three Lions.
“"I have always dreamed of playing for England."”
This situation illustrates the 'talent drain' experienced by smaller soccer federations when dual-national players opt for traditional powerhouses. Although Tomori's birth in Canada granted him eligibility, his professional and international trajectory was anchored in England, leaving Canada without a high-profile defender who possesses a birthright claim to the national team.
