Samuel Eto’o’s attempt to strengthen Cameroon’s Under-17 squad with dual-national players based in Europe could be blocked by a presidential decree dating back to 2014.
The Cameroon Football Federation president has been in England in recent days as he looks to persuade young players developed in Europe to join the national team ahead of the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, which will take place from 19 November to 13 December 2026.
Eto’o is reported to have accelerated several cases involving eligible dual nationals, with the aim of giving the Cameroon Under-17 side the strength to compete with the world’s leading teams.
During his visit to England, he met Bassirou and Douka Nkoto of Manchester United, William Gueke of Manchester City and Tomak Jaxon David of Nottingham Forest. Most of the players have already been called up by Cameroon’s youth teams.
The approach reflects a strategy previously used with the senior national team. Eto’o has sought to meet players’ families, explain Cameroon’s sporting plans and make contact early enough to prevent talented youngsters from committing themselves permanently to the countries where they were born.
However, a legal obstacle may now threaten the recruitment drive.
Article 7, paragraph 3, of a presidential decree issued on 26 September 2014 states that only players registered in competitions organised by the Fecafoot can represent Cameroon at Under-15 and Under-17 level.
The provision had already prevented Etienne Eto’o, who was living and playing in Spain at the time, from appearing for Cameroon at the Under-17 World Cup.
If the rule is enforced strictly, young players registered with European clubs would be excluded from the national teams, even if they hold Cameroonian nationality and meet FIFA’s sporting eligibility requirements.
Fecafoot would therefore need to secure an amendment, clarification or possible exemption before selecting these dual nationals without risking a formal challenge.
The regulation was presumably intended to protect domestic football development and create opportunities for youngsters playing in Cameroon. Its original aim remains understandable, but applying it in the modern game appears increasingly difficult.
The diaspora represents an important pool of talent for Africa’s leading football nations, particularly at youth level. Automatically ruling out players trained in high-level European academies could mean Cameroon miss out on footballers capable of immediately raising the standard of the team.
Eto’o’s efforts at least demonstrate a willingness to search for solutions rather than remain inactive. Cameroon’s senior men failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and the former striker is now exploring different ways to restore the national team’s reputation.
His methods have regularly divided opinion, but his personal commitment to Cameroonian football is difficult to dispute.
There has nevertheless been positive news for the country’s national teams. The Indomitable Lionesses recently won the first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in their history in Morocco, completing an impressive campaign with a 3-0 victory over Malawi.
The central question is whether recruiting from Europe is the best route for rebuilding the Indomitable Lions. Bringing in dual nationals could provide valuable talent, but it should not prevent Fecafoot from improving its own domestic competitions and training centres.
Naim Beneddra has followed football since childhood and has worked as a journalist for more than 20 years. He writes and analyses the game, while continuing to focus on the people and stories that shape football. A committed supporter of the Fennecs, he also closely follows Algerian football.