Arsenal star 'could switch national allegiance' in bid to play at World Cup

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Evening Standard

·16 October 2025

Arsenal star 'could switch national allegiance' in bid to play at World Cup

The defender has admitted there is a chance he could jump ship

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Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera could switch his international allegiance away from Spain in a bid to play at the World Cup next summer.

The young centre-back has impressed in the early days of his Arsenal career after moving from Valencia this summer, keeping five clean sheets in eight appearances.

The 21-year-old is highly rated in Spain, but despite being named captain of La Roja’s under-21s and winning an Olympic gold medal with the U23s, he is yet to earn a senior cap for his country.

With the World Cup looming next summer, Mosquera could be lured to switch his allegiance.

The Alicante-born defender is also eligible to play for Colombia via his parents, and a report in Diario AS states the FCF are hopeful he will jump ship.

Los Cafeteros attempted to lure Mosquera across the Atlantic in 2023, calling him up for friendlies and offering him a place in the U20 World Cup squad, but his head was not turned.

Unsettled: Cristhian Mosquera is reportedly growing frustrated with his lack of chances in Spain’s first team

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Mosquera is thought to be prioritising a career with Spain, but hinted he is already considering his options.

“Spain has some great centre-backs, both present and future,” he told Diario AS last week. “What depends on me is to stay focused on my club and the doors will keep opening.”

That may require considerable patience, though. He is currently sixth in line for Luis de la Fuente, who also has the likes of Dean Huijsen, Robin Le Normand, Daniel Vivian and Pau Cubarsi at his disposal.

He seems to be growing frustrated with his lack of senior opportunities. Mosquera was reportedly unimpressed by De la Fuente’s decision to call up 31-year-old Aymeric Laporte in place of the injured Huijsen for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and Georgia.

Should he switch allegiances, Mosquera would find himself competing with Bologna’s Jhon Lucumi, Galatasaray’s Davinson Sanchez, and Cruz Azul’s Willer Ditta for minutes. He would also line up alongside Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz.