Ajax defender Jorthy Mokio has made a definitive decision regarding his international future, announcing he will represent Congo instead of Belgium. The move marks a significant shift for the young talent, who had already made his senior debut for the Belgian national team under coach Rudi García.
The decision comes after a period of deliberation for the player, who has deep familial ties to Congo. "As time passed, my feeling towards the country where my roots lie grew stronger," Mokio explained in an interview with De Telegraaf. "I feel now is the right time to give that feeling direction and answer."
This choice carries substantial implications for both national programs. For Belgium, it represents the loss of a promising young defender who was already integrated into their senior setup. For Congo, it signals the potential addition of a high-profile European-based talent to their ranks as they prepare for a major tournament.
Congo has qualified for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, where they have been drawn in a challenging group alongside Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan. The addition of a player of Mokio's caliber from a top club like Ajax would be a considerable boost to their defensive options.
However, the path to Mokio wearing the Congolese jersey is not straightforward. FIFA eligibility rules present a significant hurdle. Because Mokio has already appeared in an official senior international match for Belgium, a switch is not automatically granted.
According to FIFA regulations, a player who has appeared in a competitive match for one national team is generally tied to that association. A switch is only permitted under specific circumstances, often involving a waiting period. Belgian media reports suggest that, based on these rules, Mokio might not be eligible to play for Congo until 2028.
This potential four-year delay would be a major setback for both the player and the Congolese Football Federation. It would mean Mokio misses the upcoming World Cup cycle entirely, a tournament for which Congo has already qualified. The player himself expressed hope to feature for Congo "soon," indicating he may not be fully aware of the regulatory complexities involved.
The situation highlights the growing trend of dual-nationality players choosing their ancestral homeland over their country of birth or development. For many athletes, representing the nation of their heritage is a deeply personal decision that transcends sporting logic.
From a club perspective, Ajax will be monitoring the situation closely. A clear international pathway is important for a player's development, and prolonged uncertainty over eligibility could affect Mokio's motivation and planning. The Amsterdam club has a vested interest in seeing their player's international career resolved efficiently.
The Belgian Football Association now faces the reality of losing a player they had already capped. It serves as a reminder of the modern challenges national teams face in retaining talent in an increasingly globalized football landscape where players have multiple allegiances.
As the administrative process unfolds, the football world will watch to see if a special exemption can be granted or if Mokio will indeed have to wait years to fulfill his wish of playing for Congo. His case could set a precedent for other players considering similar switches.
Based on reporting from Voetbal International.
