Brothers Inaki and Nico Williams are both competing at the 2022 World Cup, although they are not playing for the same country. 

The Athletic Bilbao stars have played together in La Liga for the last two seasons but are on different sides in Qatar. 

Inaki is a key part of the Ghana squad while Nico is at the with Spain.

Why do Inaki and Nico Williams play for different countries? 

The Williams brothers were born in Spain to Ghanaian parents who made a treacherous journey to Europe in search for a better life. 

They settled in the Basque Country region and Inaki was born soon after they arrived in 1994 with Nico born eight years later in 2002. 

Both players would end up joining the Athletic Bilbao academy and they have been teammates since Nico stepped up to the first team last year. 

However, on the international stage, they will be rivals. 

Most read in Football

Inaki played for Spain at youth level before struggling to gain a senior call-up despite his form in La Liga and earlier this year he decided to switch his allegiance. 

The striker accepted an offer to switch nationalities to represent the birthplace of his parents, Ghana.

Speaking to the BBC, the 28-year-old said: "It wasn't an easy decision to make. 

“I had to consult with my family and loved ones, because the decision would impact me during the next years of my career - not only in sporting terms but also on a personal level. 

"I told my grandfather, who told me it would be a dream for him to see me in the national team jersey. He is 90. He said he doesn't have long to live, but that he would like to see me play in a World Cup with the national team.

"When he told me those words, I didn't have to think anymore.”

Unlike Inaki, Nico received his first senior call-up in September after playing for Spain at youth level. 

The 20-year-old now has two caps after appearing in the Nations League. 

Luis Enrique then called him up to the World Cup squad in what was a somewhat shocking move, but the youngster is likely to step up on the big stage. 

The brothers are not in the same group in Qatar but it is possible for them to meet in the quarter-finals if both Spain and Ghana make it through. 

On a possible meeting, Inaki said: “Hopefully it will happen… and that Ghana wins!”

“We’ll see about that," Nico replied. "But for sure we will be exchanging shirts after the match.”

ncG1vNJzZmiskaG4tLzOq6tnm5%2BifKe7zq2ZmqScZH5zgJdwb2pnmaOurLWMsKClpJmWurR5zaKaqGWnnrmttcCmqmavn6e5pXnCrqdmqZGprrN5wK2fpZ2knrBursilmZqnXZy1orrAZqqpmZmjfA%3D%3D