Midfielder blocked from World Cup selection after switching international allegiance days before squad announcement

DR Congo have been denied the chance to call up young Ajax star Jorthy Mokio for their 2026 World Cup squad.

The teenage midfielder, who was born in Ghent in Belgium, has represented the Red Devils from U15 to senior level.

Mokio has only made one Belgium appearance his career as he came off the bench against Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League last March, replacing Brighton defender Maxim De Cuyper in the 88th minute of a 3-1 loss.

The 18-year-old, who is of Congolese descent, was granted permission by FIFA to switch his international allegiance from Belgium to DR Congo earlier this month.

“Ultimately, I chose to follow my heart and make myself available for Congo. So I hope to be able to represent them soon,” Mokio explained of his decision to represent DR Congo.

“As I indicated, it is primarily a matter of feeling. They have shown interest before, but at the time I was still too young to make a definitive choice.

“Over time, my feelings towards the country where my roots lie have grown stronger. I feel now is the right time to heed that and give it direction.”

Why can’t Mokio play for Congo at the World Cup?

However, the Leopards have been unable to call up the Ajax youngster to their 2026 World Cup squad.

That’s because under FIFA regulations, any player who has made a senior international appearance for one nation cannot represent another for a period of three years, meaning Mokio has to wait another two years before he can feature for DR Congo.

The two-minute cameo against Ukraine, then, wrecked Mokio’s chances of representing DR Congo in football’s showpiece this summer.

How Congo qualified for the World Cup

DR Congo booked their spot in North America with a 1-0 win over Jamaica in the Intercontinental Play-off back in March.

Axel Tuanzebe’s extra-time strike proved to be the difference between the two nations as DR Congo booked a World Cup spot for just the second time in their history.

Tuanzebe is one of a number of DR Congo internationals who represented a different nation at youth level before switching allegiance.

Indeed, the Burnley defender turned out for England at U19, U20 and U21 level before opting to play for DR Congo.

Likewise, West Ham right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka made the switch from England to DR Congo in 2025 and has gone on to become a key player for Sebastien Desabre’s side.

Arthur Masuaku and Cedric Bakambu, meanwhile, featured for France at youth level, but are key players for the African nation.

DR Congo were drawn into Group K at the 2026 World Cup, and will face Portugal, Colombia and tournament debutants Uzbekistan in their bid to reach to knockouts.