Reports question FIFA handling of Lionel Mpasi eligibility case

FIFA is facing questions over its handling of Democratic Republic of Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi's eligibility after investigations published on Tuesday alleged that officials knew of a problem before the 2026 World Cup. Africanews reported that The New York Times and Le Monde based their findings on internal FIFA documents concerning the goalkeeper and the governing body's disciplinary procedures.

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The reported issue concerns the process required to change international allegiance. Mpasi, 32, previously represented France at under-17 level and has family ties to Congo. According to the investigations summarised by Africanews, the necessary switch was never completed. That is an allegation about his formal clearance to represent the team, rather than a newly announced disciplinary ruling against the player.

Nigeria's elimination provides the immediate sporting background to the case. PUNCH reported that Congo beat Nigeria 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Rabat in November 2025, in the final of the African play-offs. The Nigerian federation subsequently complained to FIFA about the eligibility of Congolese players. Congo then defeated Jamaica in March and secured its first World Cup appearance in 52 years.

According to PUNCH's account of The New York Times investigation, officials considered several responses. Those included awarding the match to Nigeria, imposing financial penalties or substituting Nigeria for Congo in the intercontinental play-off. Another option was to take no action because the Nigerian complaint had arrived late. These were reported options examined internally, not sanctions that FIFA subsequently announced or implemented.

Le Monde reported FIFA's response that the Nigerian complaint had been declared inadmissible, with notification sent in early March 2026. FIFA said the decision became final because no properly submitted appeal followed. It also denied that president Gianni Infantino intervened in the proceedings and described its judicial bodies as autonomous, deciding cases under the applicable regulations and the particular facts presented to them.

Mpasi ultimately appeared in all four of Congo's World Cup matches, Africanews reported. His participation, despite the alleged unresolved clearance issue, is central to the published investigations. The reporting concerns how FIFA handled eligibility during qualification; it does not establish that Congo's World Cup results have now been overturned.