Nigeria considers FIFA compensation claim after DR Congo eligibility controversy

Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC) is considering seeking compensation from FIFA following claims that DR Congo fielded an ineligible player during the World Cup qualifiers, a development that contributed to Nigeria’s failure to reach the 2026 tournament.

This comes after reporting by The New York Times and Le Monde on allegations that FIFA's own legal officials determined DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi was ineligible because his change of international association from France had not been completed.

The publications, which reviewed internal FIFA documents, reported that FIFA lawyers discovered the problem in March, before DR Congo's intercontinental playoff against Jamaica, but no disciplinary action was taken. DR Congo went on to qualify for the World Cup.

"Nothing has been decided yet, but we will seriously consider seeking compensation from FIFA for all of the economic losses this has cost Nigeria," the NSC official told ESPN.

"The revenue that the Super Eagles and the NFF would have received from participating at the World Cup, the exposure that players would have got, transfers, the sponsorship fees, even the boost to the Nigerian economy.

"We are exploring all our options as a country and nothing is off the table."

Meanwhile, the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF) 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."

The NFF had raised concerns over DR Congo’s player eligibility after the Leopards eliminated the Super Eagles from the African World Cup playoff in November. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, before DR Congo prevailed 4-3 in the penalty shootout. However, the eligibility complaint was subsequently rejected.