Meet Michael Olise's Footballer Brother Richard: Why Does He Play for England?

At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Michael Olise has emerged as one of the most promising talents for France, captivating audiences with his creativity and flair. The Bayern Munich winger plays for Les Bleus, but many soccer fans are surprised to learn that his younger brother, Richard Olise, has opted for a different international path.

The two brothers are one of the most interesting sibling stories in soccer, as they play for different countries at the international level despite being raised in the same family.

Who is Michael Olise's Brother Richard?

Richard Olise is the younger brother of France international Michael Olise. Richard is also a talented soccer player, and, like his older brother, he went through Chelsea's youth academy in England.

The Olise brothers are of a multicultural background. They have a Nigerian father and a French-Algerian mother. Both brothers were born in London and could have played for England, France, Nigeria, and Algeria under FIFA's rules.

Michael is one of the best attacking players in Europe with Bayern Munich and France, while Richard is still developing his career as a defender and has played for England at the youth international level.

However, Michael has also confessed that he does not give any soccer advice to Richard.

Why is Richard Olise Playing for England?

Richard has played for England's youth teams, while Michael eventually decided to dedicate his international career to France.

The brothers' choices are mostly based on their individual tastes and experiences in their formative years. They were both born in England and so were eligible to play for the Three Lions. But Michael has said before that he always had a strong feeling for France because of his mother and the French Football Federation's interest in him.

Meanwhile, Richard has been called up to England's youth ranks and has developed in the England system.

It is important to note that playing in youth internationals does not make a player "stuck" in one country. If a player is not officially cap-tied under FIFA's rules, then Richard could change his international allegiance later in his career if he meets the eligibility criteria.

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This story was originally published July 14, 2026 at 11:42 AM.