World Cup 2026: Germany’s Jonathan Tah reveals why he rejected Ivory Coast despite family ties

Germany defender Jonathan Tah has revealed that he could have represented Ivory Coast internationally, admitting that the Ivorian Football Federation approached him more than a decade ago before he ultimately chose to continue his career with Germany.

The Bayern Munich centre-back will face the Elephants in a crucial Group E clash in Toronto, making the fixture particularly special given his strong family connections to the West African nation.

Speaking about the upcoming encounter with AZ, Tah admitted he was delighted when the World Cup draw paired Germany with Ivory Coast because of his personal connection to both countries. His father is Ivorian, while his mother is German, making him eligible to represent either nation.

“I was really happy about the draw,” Tah said.

“Especially because the Ivorian federation asked me twelve years ago if I wanted to play for them.”

The defender explained that despite the approach, his decision was straightforward because of his upbringing and football development in Germany.

“The decision was relatively clear,” Tah continued. “Because I simply said: I grew up in Germany, Germany has given me so much. I’ve played for all the youth national teams. How authentic would it have been to play for Ivory Coast?”

Tah’s comments echo previous remarks in which he described national-team selection as a decision of the heart rather than one based solely on footballing opportunities.

Although he chose Germany, the 30-year-old stressed that Ivory Coast remains a hugely important part of his identity.

“I still have a lot of family there, it’s my second home. I feel very connected to the culture, the music, the food, and the people.”

The defender added that while he cherishes his Ivorian roots, Germany will always be home.

“But my home is and always will be Germany.”

Tah has gone on to become one of Germany’s most important players, establishing himself as a defensive leader for both club and country. After helping Bayer Leverkusen win their historic Bundesliga title, he joined Bayern Munich and has remained a regular fixture in the national team setup.

Now, fate has set up a fascinating reunion of sorts. On Saturday, Tah will line up against the country he could have represented as Germany seek a second consecutive victory after their emphatic 7-1 win over Curacao. Ivory Coast, meanwhile, arrive full of confidence after Amad Diallo’s late winner secured a 1-0 victory over Ecuador.

With qualification for the knockout stages potentially on the line, Tah’s unique connection to both nations adds an extra layer of intrigue to one of the most anticipated matches of the second round of group-stage fixtures.