Paris Saint-Germain forward Chams Soule has officially opted to represent Benin at international level, choosing the West African nation over his country of birth, France.
The 18-year-old striker, who has been developing within PSG’s youth system, is set to make his international debut with Benin’s U20 national team at the upcoming WAFU Cup Ghana 2025.
His decision is being welcomed as a major boost for Benin’s football federation, which continues to invest in securing promising dual-nationality talents for the future of its national squads.
Soule, born on 24 March 2007 in Stains, a suburb of Paris, joined PSG’s academy in 2022. Currently playing for the club’s U19 side, he has built a strong reputation as one of the most promising forwards of his age group in the French football system.
Known for his intelligence on the ball, technical finesse, and adaptability in the attacking third, Soule is considered a versatile player capable of operating across multiple forward roles.
His breakthrough during the 2023/24 season came at the U17 level, where he scored two goals and displayed a maturity that belied his age. For the 2024/25 campaign, he is expected to take on a more prominent role under coach Thomas Leyssales in PSG’s U19 team.
Leyssales, who has overseen the development of several top talents in the PSG youth structure, is expected to be instrumental in Soule’s continued progress.
Despite not yet featuring for PSG’s senior squad, Soule’s choice to pledge his allegiance to Benin represents a major personal milestone.
While eligible for France by birth, he has instead chosen to honour his Beninese heritage—an announcement that has generated excitement among Beninese supporters and football authorities alike.
Soule’s first appearance for the Cheetahs’ U20 side will likely come during the WAFU Cup in Ghana, scheduled for 2025.
The tournament will serve as a critical stepping stone for the teenager, providing him with the opportunity to showcase his abilities on the international stage and gain valuable experience in competitive fixtures.
His decision is being interpreted by many as both a patriotic gesture and a strategic career move. With fierce competition for places in the French national setup at youth level and beyond, representing Benin could offer Soule a clearer pathway to regular international football and the chance to contribute meaningfully to the national team’s development.
The Beninese Football Federation has been proactive in recent years in attracting dual-nationality players raised in European academies.
Soule’s commitment signals further progress in that strategy and is expected to inspire more young talents of Beninese descent to consider representing their ancestral nation.
While Soule continues to chase his ambition of breaking into PSG’s first team, his international journey with Benin begins with great anticipation.
His participation in the WAFU Cup will be closely watched, both in Benin and by observers across the African football community, as he prepares to don the yellow jersey and write the first chapter of his international career.
