On September 26, 2026, the football community learned that Wael Mohya, a promising 17-year-old midfielder from Borussia Mönchengladbach, has officially opted to join the German U21 national team. This decision comes after a summer filled with speculation regarding his potential switch to the Moroccan national team. Following discussions between Mohya's family and German U21 coach Antonio Di Salvo, the young talent has been called up to represent Germany, marking a significant step in his burgeoning career.
In July, German newspaper Bild reported that Mohya was considering leaving the German national setup to don the colors of Morocco, with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation engaging in serious talks with his representatives. However, Rheinische Post later countered these claims, suggesting that there was no definitive decision made and that Mohya wanted to take his time before committing to either side.
Fast forward two months, and Mohya has answered the call from Germany, joining a list of seven new players selected by Di Salvo for the upcoming Euro U21 2027 qualification matches. The German Football Association confirmed that the squad will face Latvia, Malta, and Georgia, with the team already achieving a resounding 4-0 victory against Latvia in their first match. Although Mohya did not see playing time in this match, he remains poised to make his debut in the near future.
According to GladbachLive, Mohya's selection was the result of ongoing conversations between his family and Di Salvo, who secured the player's commitment even as the Moroccan Federation sought to persuade him to join their ranks. Born on December 31, 2008, in Mettmann to Moroccan parents, Mohya has previously represented Germany at U16, U17, and U18 levels, with his last appearance being a notable performance against Denmark in November 2025, where he scored a goal. Following this success, he had declined further call-ups, which fueled ongoing rumors about a possible shift to the Moroccan national team.
The Rapid Rise of a Young Star
Mohya's immediate promotion to the U21 team is a remarkable advancement, placing him in a competitive environment with teammates who are sometimes four years his senior. This leap reflects not just his talent but also his impressive performances with Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he made history last season by becoming the youngest goalscorer in the club's history with a goal against Bayern Munich. At just 17 years old, he also ranks among the three youngest goalscorers in Bundesliga history.
Currently, Mohya is an integral part of Gladbach’s professional rotation, having participated in all four Bundesliga matches so far this season, according to the official Bundesliga statistics. Importantly, this call-up does not legally prevent him from representing Morocco in the future; however, it does provide Germany a strategic advantage in securing his allegiance, similar to the situation with Younes Ebnoutalib, who also faced interest from both national federations.
As he prepares for his first potential minutes with the U21s against Malta and then against Georgia on October 6, Mohya aims to establish himself firmly within the German national team framework, continuing his promising journey in international football.
As reported by bladi.net.
