Why does Aaron Wan-Bissaka play for DR Congo?

Birthplace and citizenship

Aaron Wan-Bissaka was born in Croydon, United Kingdom; holds DR Congo and United Kingdom citizenship.

Being born in United Kingdom normally gives a player the right to represent United Kingdom too, if he holds that nationality. Representing DR Congo instead usually means a parent or grandparent was born there, or that the player lived there long enough to qualify through residency. Public records do not state which connection applied to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, so we do not guess.

International career path

His international pathway, as recorded on Wikidata:

He only played youth football for England U20 and England U21. Youth caps do not tie a player to a country, so he was free to choose DR Congo for senior football.

• DR Congo U20 — under-20 level, 2015 (1 match, 0 goals)
• England U20 — under-20 level, 2018 (2 matches, 0 goals)
• England U21 — under-21 level, 2018–2019 (3 matches, 0 goals)
• DR Congo — senior level, 2025–present (16 matches, 0 goals)

The rules in brief

A player can represent a country if they hold its nationality and have a genuine link to it: birth on its territory, a parent or grandparent born there, or several years of residency. Youth matches do not tie a player to a country. Since 2020, FIFA also lets a player switch once after a small number of senior appearances (no more than three, all before turning 21, none at a World Cup or continental finals) after a three-year wait.

Read our full guide to FIFA eligibility rules →