Breaking News: French international switches national allegiance to play for Mali

Everton Football Club and ex-France U21 midfielder Abdoulaye Doucore 29, has switched his national allegiance to play for the Mali national team and will be ready to face Tunisia in the World Cup play-offs next month.

The 29-year old midfielder born in France to Malian parents has previously played for France U17, U18, U19, U20 and U21 between 2009 and 2014.

He was approached by the Mali FA over representing the African country at international level. He is eligible to play for Mali, the country of his parents, but rejected their approach.

In February 2020, Doucouré said in an interview that he was targeting a place in the France national team but he also remained open to represent the Mali national team. In September 2020, Doucouré was called up by Mali for upcoming matches against Ghana on 9 October and Iran on 13 October in Turkey, which he rejected due to his desire to play for France under Didier Deschamps.

In February 2022, Mali FA President Baviuex Touré told the media that he was in negotiation with Doucouré, hoping that he would switch his international allegiance from France in time to feature in their World Cup play-offs in March.