The Belgium U17 World Cup team is set to be reinforced with three strong players for the knock out rounds. The Belgian FA had hoped to bring Nathan De Cat, Jorthy Mokio and Mohammed El Adfaoui to the U17 World Cup in Qatar from the start, but their clubs had been hesitant to let them go while they still had football to play. Now that the final international window for the 2025 calendar year is upon us, the clubs have allowed the trio to travel to Qatar for the U17 World Cup.
De Cat and Mokio are the two standout players. The former has been ever present for Anderlecht this season and the Mauves had been one of the more hesitant sides in letting their young star leave for the U17 World Cup while they still had Pro League games to play. the midfielder put in a decent performance once again when the side beat Club Brugge this weekend. He is certainly heading to the U17 World Cup in decent form.
Mokio left the Gent academy in 2024 to join Ajax. Since then he has made 29 appearances for the senior team with two goals. This season he has already played 11 times for the Amsterdam side, with three of these coming in the Champions League. Mokio is a hugely talented 17-year-old that will certainly strengthen a Belgian side that finished second behind Argentina in their U17 World Cup group.
El Adfaoui has broken into the Gent first team with four appearances so far this season, grabbing one assist in the process. He has also played a handful of games for the Gent second team who have impressed so far in the Belgian second tier. the 17-year-old has played more than 80 minutes for the young Gent side in his last two Challenger Pro League games and like De Cat and Mokio, is heading to the U17 World Cup hoping to benefit from his senior football experience.
GBeNeFNย |ย Ben Jackson
