FIFA knew DR Congo fielded ineligible goalkeeper against Nigeria, report reveals

FIFA has come under renewed scrutiny over Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after reports emerged that its officials were allegedly aware that DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi had not completed the required process to switch his international allegiance from France.

The paperwork granting Mpasi permission to switch allegiance from France to DR Congo, according to the reports, had not been finalised before the game against Nigeria.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had raised eligibility concerns much earlier, after DR Congo knocked the Super Eagles out of the African World Cup playoffs in November. The two sides drew 1-1 after extra time before DR Congo won 4-3 on penalties.

DR Congo went on to beat Jamaica in the intercontinental playoff and qualified for the World Cup.

On Monday, October 6, the New York Times and Le Monde reported that lawyers for world football’s global governing body became aware in March that Mpasi was allegedly ineligible, and advised a variety of sanctions which could be imposed, including disqualifying DR Congo from the intercontinental play-off against Jamaica later that month and banning Mpasi.

However, reports indicate that no action was taken, allowing Mpasi to feature for DR Congo in the decisive playoff against Jamaica and later at the World Cup finals in North America.

Nigeria is now expected to take up a case against FIFA.

Jamaica has already lodged a complaint with FIFA over the matter, seeking compensation for what it considers an unfair defeat to DR Congo.

The North and Central America Football Confederation, CONCACAF, believes that Jamaica was dealt a wrong hand by FIFA in the saga. Jamaica, DR Congo’s intercontinental play-off opponents, said: “CONCACAF takes player eligibility matters very seriously and expects the applicable regulations and procedures to be applied consistently and fairly in all competitions.

“Any concerns regarding player eligibility, particularly those that may affect the integrity of a competition or the interests of one of our member associations, should be thoroughly reviewed and addressed through FIFA’s appropriate governance and disciplinary bodies, in accordance with established regulations and due process.”