FIFA found DR Congo goalkeeper ineligible but let the World Cup campaign continue
FIFA officials found that DR Congo had not completed the paperwork for goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi to switch from France’s youth teams, according to documents reviewed by The New York Times. FIFA dismissed Nigeria’s complaint on a procedural technicality, and DR Congo went on to qualify for the 2026 World Cup by beating Jamaica. The finding puts the handling of Nigeria’s challenge, and FIFA’s past eligibility rulings, under scrutiny.
Bottom line — Nigeria’s complaint was dismissed, while DR Congo kept its World Cup place despite FIFA’s finding on Mpasi.
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The New York Times reported that FIFA considered awarding Nigeria a default win, fining DR Congo, replacing it in the Jamaica play-off or dismissing the case because Nigeria filed late.
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FIFA told The New York Times that its committees decide cases independently under the applicable rules and facts, and that Gianni Infantino played no role.
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GOAL reports that FIFA previously awarded forfeits over ineligible players in Greece’s 2016 match against Turkey and changed two Bolivia results in 2018.
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Nigeria’s federation had also argued that several DR Congo players’ citizenship status breached Congolese law, according to CKN News; this is separate from FIFA’s reported finding about Mpasi’s paperwork.