Why does Jordi Liongola play for Burundi?
Born in Tessenderlo, Belgium · Citizenship: Belgium
Short answer
Jordi Liongola represents Burundi even though he was born in Belgium. FIFA rules allow a player to represent any country whose nationality he holds, provided he has a family or residency connection to it; he committed to Burundi at senior level.
Birthplace and citizenship
Jordi Liongola was born in Tessenderlo, Belgium.
Being born in Belgium normally gives a player the right to represent Belgium too, if he holds that nationality. Representing Burundi 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 Jordi Liongola, so we do not guess.
International career path
His international pathway, as recorded on Wikidata:
- Burundi — senior level, dates unknown
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.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Jordi Liongola play for Burundi?
Jordi Liongola holds Burundian nationality and chose to represent Burundi at senior level despite being born in Belgium.
Where was Jordi Liongola born?
Jordi Liongola was born in Tessenderlo, Belgium.
What nationality is Jordi Liongola?
Wikidata lists Jordi Liongola as a citizen of Belgium.
Could Jordi Liongola have played for Belgium?
Probably, if he holds Belgium nationality, as players born in a country are eligible for it. Once a player has played a competitive senior match for one country, switching is only possible under narrow FIFA exceptions.