The outstanding individual performance in the World Cup so far has undoubtedly been that of Lionel Messi. A display featuring a hat-trick that takes its owner to the top of the World Cup all-time scoring list is not to be missed.
With just one more goal, Messi will surpass Miroslav Klose alone. And I couldn’t help but be impressed by the clinical finishing of two incredible giants: Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland.
But when it comes to subtly influencing the game, Michael Oliseh has created one of the best halves in football, inspiring France’s comeback against Senegal. It was a contribution well expressed by Didier Deschamps.
“With Michael in the center of midfield, we are much better,” said the French coach. “It’s made us more cohesive. When Michael can play between the lines, between the defense and midfield, the quality of his passing allows him to find our attackers. Michael can play on both flanks, but the more he touches the ball, the better he gets.”
Even before he kicked a ball at the 2026 World Cup, 24-year-old Oliseh had established himself as a truly elite talent. But two years ago, Deschamps decided not to take Ollies to the Euros and Gareth Southgate was asked if he was an option for England, having never played a top-flight game for France.
Southgate said the move was not made in time for the Euros, but Oliseh was “a player we should be interested in”. In fact, Southgate had shown interest in Olise long before 2024. In early 2022, Southgate and his staff were hopeful that Olise would commit his future to England.
Born in Hammersmith and raised in London by a British-Nigerian father and a French-Algerian mother, Oliseh had four international options. However, after admitting his allegiance, he said it had always been his “dream” to play for the French national team.
Jamal Musiala rose through England’s youth ranks and was selected to represent Germany (Image: Getty Images)
And in that case, Southgate and the Football Association will argue that it is by no means impossible for Oliseh to commit to England. fair enough. But there is also no doubt that England and the FA have never taken an overly aggressive approach to convincing players with international options that England is the best fit.
Back in 2017, Southgate said: “It’s not like a club. If you don’t have 100 per cent passion inside you to play for England, I don’t think I’m going to sell it to you. It should be your desire to do that. I’ll always sit down with the players, but it should be the players that come to us.”
His stance was widely praised. But when Jamal Musiala, who played for England from youth level to Under-21s, chose to join Germany, some questioned it. He was born in Germany to a German mother, but moved to England when he was seven years old.
In early 2021, coach Joachim Loew told Musiala that if he chose to represent Germany, he would definitely be part of the squad for that summer’s Euros. Southgate and the FA made no such promise.
Erling Haaland always intended to play for Norway, but was eligible to play for England through his birthplace (Image: Getty Images)
Of course, now that the world of soccer is global and professional mobility is increasing, there are many players who have multiple options when it comes to representing their country.
Haaland’s country of birth is England. Folarin Balogun scored two goals in the opening game for the United States and has 13 caps for England Under-21s.
Jeremy Frimpong and Scott McTominay could have represented England. But we must not forget that France is the birthplace of 98 players who played in this World Cup.
Indeed, international football is very fluid. But from a British perspective, it’s hard not to think that Michael Oliseh is the one who got away.
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