FIFA knows DR Congo fielded ineligible player: investigation

World football’s governing body FIFA has been accused of knowing that the Democratic Republic of the Congo used an ineligible player in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying tie against the Nigerian Super Eagles.

According to an investigation by New York Times Posted on Tuesday, the player in the center is goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, the French-born goalkeeper from Le Havre who later participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Mpasi made 12 appearances for France at youth level in 2010-2011. FIFA rules allow for nationality changes, but only after completing formal documentation and receiving authorization from FIFA.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo never completed the naturalization process for Mpasi, and internal documents seen by The New York Times claimed that FIFA’s own investigation confirmed that he had not been properly cleared before the playoffs.

Nigeria submitted a petition after losing 4-3 on penalties to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the final of the African play-off in Rabat in November 2025. The Democratic Republic of the Congo beat Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off and reached the World Cup, where they drew 1-1 with Portugal and were eliminated 2-1 by England in the round of 32.

FIFA reportedly drew up four options after Nigeria’s complaint: award victory to Nigeria, substitute DRC for Nigeria against Jamaica, fine DRC, or dismiss it on procedural grounds. They chose the fourth option.

Also read: NFF to challenge FIFA decision after failed protest in DRC

FIFA told the New York Times that President Gianni Infantino had no influence on the decision to allow Mpasi to play, arguing that “the committees are autonomous and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them.”

Crucially, the investigation indicated that FIFA was aware of Mpasi’s ineligibility before he played in the final qualifying victory over Jamaica in March.

The report noted that FIFA had awarded 3-0 defeats in similar cases: Greece in 2016 against Turkey and Bolivia in 2018 after fielding an ineligible player who had previously represented Paraguay.

If the same logic had been applied to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Leopards should have lost their place in the World Cup playoffs, potentially opening the door to Nigeria.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had argued that the Democratic Republic of Congo fielded several players with European passports, in violation of Congolese law prohibiting dual nationality. FIFA dismissed the petition, saying it was submitted outside the two-hour protest period and without paying the 1,000 Swiss franc fee.

By James Agberebi