Jorthy Mokio faces three-year wait for DR Congo eligibility

DR Congo national football team coach Sébastien Desabre has clarified the administrative status of defender Jorthy Mokio, who has chosen to represent the Democratic Republic of the Congo over Belgium.

Due to FIFA regulations regarding players who have represented a previous national team in official matches after a certain age, Mokio faces a mandatory three-year waiting period. Because he appeared for the Belgian national team in March 2025, he will not be eligible to play in official competitive matches for the Leopards until 2028.

Despite this restriction, Mokio has been called up for friendly matches. Desabre explained that this is a strategic move to allow the player to integrate into the squad, familiarize himself with the team's tactics, and adapt to the group environment before he becomes eligible for competitive play.