From the Germans to the Atlas Lions? A possible scenario in the case of Wael Mohya

Jurgen Klopp, coach of the German national team, seeks to integrate Borussia Mönchengladbach's promising attacking midfielder, 17-year-old Wael Mohia, into the long-term "Manschaft" project.

Although the young player was excluded from the list to face Serbia on Friday evening - according to the German Federation’s statement on Thursday morning - his potential participation in the European Nations League match against the Netherlands next Monday will not definitively determine his sporting nationality.

This reality gives the Moroccan Football Federation, which has been monitoring the young talent for a long time, a good reason to continue its efforts and hold out hope to include him in its ranks, based on a legal loophole provided by the regulations of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), specifically Article 10, Paragraph 2C related to changing the sports federation.

According to what was reported by the German newspaper "Bild", these regulations allow players to change their teams even after playing official matches with the first team of another country, provided that strict controls are met.

Matches and three-year rule

FIFA sets five basic conditions for completing this international transformation, which are the maximum number of participations, meaning that the player’s tally should not exceed 3 international matches with the first team of his current country (whether official or friendly).

Then the age requirement, as FIFA laws stipulate that his last official participation with the former federation - in any age group - took place before he reached the age of twenty-one. Also, the waiting period, as the condition is that at least 3 full years have passed since the last match the player played with the first team.

FIFA also requires that the player not participate in the World Cup finals or any major continental tournament such as the European Nations Cup. The player must already hold the citizenship of the new country before playing his first official match with his former federation.

Applying these rules in practice to Mohia’s case, if the player participates against the Netherlands on November 16, 2026, he will still be able to move to represent Morocco as of November 16, 2029, provided that he does not play any other international match with Germany during that period (as each new appearance resets the three-year counter from zero).

However, if his participation with the senior German national team is limited to a friendly match only, this will not be considered an official association that imposes a waiting period on him, even though his previous official participations with the German youth teams will require an administrative procedure to change the federation.

On the other hand, the fourth international match with Germany, or any official participation after the age of 21, will permanently close the door to Morocco, with any change request having to obtain official approval from FIFA.

Temptations of the 2030 World Cup and Klopp's moves

The Moroccan Federation does not stop putting pressure to convince the player, who was born in the German city of Meitmann to Moroccan parents, as Bild reports indicate that Moroccan officials have offered Muhia the opportunity to quickly join the first team, with an ambitious project that will make him one of the most prominent stars of the “Atlas Lions” in the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will host jointly with Spain and Portugal.

On the other hand, the German side is moving seriously to secure its talent, as Jurgen Klopp revealed that he held three dialogue sessions with the player and his family, explaining when announcing the list: “I have a great desire to build the future with Wael, without making any promises at the present time,” stressing his commitment to protecting young players from pressure, which explains why he was not given guarantees to participate in the two Nations League matches.

For his part, Mohia expressed great happiness at his first call-up to strengthen the ranks of the German national team, declaring: “It is a great honor for me to be here. We have discussed our common path in several conversations, and I look forward to showing my best and developing as much as possible.”