Why does Paul-Jose M'Poku play for DR Congo?

Birthplace and citizenship

Paul-Jose M'Poku was born in DR Congo; holds Belgium and DR Congo citizenship.

International career path

His international pathway, as recorded on Wikidata:

He played senior football for Belgium national youth before switching. Since FIFA's 2020 rule change, a player who won no more than three senior caps (all before turning 21, none at a World Cup or continental finals) can change association once, after a three-year wait.

• Belgium national youth — senior level, 2007 (5 matches, 2 goals)
• Belgium national youth — senior level, 2007–2008 (9 matches, 2 goals)
• Belgium U17 — under-17 level, 2008–2009 (7 matches, 5 goals)
• Belgium U18 — under-18 level, 2009–2010 (7 matches, 3 goals)
• Belgium U19 — under-19 level, 2010–2011 (15 matches, 3 goals)
• Belgium U21 — under-21 level, 2011–2014 (18 matches, 4 goals)
• DR Congo — senior level, 2015–2022 (22 matches, 6 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 →