Desire Doue and Guela Doue are set to make history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Born in France to an Ivorian father and French mother, the brothers have taken different paths in their football careers. Desire plays for France, while Guela represents Ivory Coast.
Both brothers began their football journey at Rennes. Desire broke into Rennes’ first team in 2022, while Guela made his competitive debut in 2023. After the 2023-24 season, they chose different clubs: Guela joined Strasbourg, and Desire moved to Paris Saint-Germain.
Their international careers also diverged. Guela earned his first Ivory Coast call-up in 2024 and has since become a regular starter for the national team. Desire, on the other hand, made his debut for France in 2023 and was recently named in Didier Deschamps’ World Cup squad.
Despite their professional rivalry, the brothers share an unbreakable bond. They describe each other as twins, with no secrets between them. Guela says he paved the way for Desire, while Desire credits his brother with being a constant support throughout their careers.
The Doue brothers will be the third pair of siblings to represent different nations at a World Cup, highlighting the unique challenge of balancing family ties with national loyalty.