FIFA Knew DR Congo Goalkeeper Was Ineligible Before Nigeria’s World Cup Exit — Report
Ayomide Awe
Fresh revelations have raised serious questions over the circumstances surrounding Nigeria’s controversial failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with reports indicating that FIFA officials knew that Democratic Republic of Congo goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi, had not completed the required process to change his international allegiance from France.
The development has reignited concerns over FIFA’s handling of Nigeria’s complaint against DR Congo following the African World Cup play-off final in Rabat, Morocco, where the Super Eagles were eliminated on penalties.
Nigeria drew 1-1 with DR Congo after 120 minutes on November 16, 2025, before losing 4-3 in the penalty shootout, with Mpasi playing the entire match.
However, documents reportedly reviewed by The New York Times indicate that FIFA’s legal officials later established that Mpasi had not completed the necessary process to switch his international association from France to DR Congo.
The revelation could potentially reopen questions surrounding Nigeria’s protest, which was rejected by FIFA on technical grounds.
According to reports, DR Congo had begun the process of changing Mpasi’s international association in 2021, but the procedure was allegedly never completed.
Mpasi, 32, was born in France and represented the country at youth level before opting to play for DR Congo.
The implication of the reported FIFA finding is that the goalkeeper may not have been properly cleared to represent DR Congo at the time he featured against Nigeria.
The controversy deepened after reports emerged that FIFA had considered several options following Nigeria’s complaint.
Among the options reportedly considered were awarding the match to Nigeria, imposing a sporting sanction on DR Congo, replacing the Leopards with the Super Eagles in the intercontinental play-off against Jamaica, or taking no action because Nigeria’s complaint was filed outside the applicable timeframe.
FIFA ultimately took no action that altered the qualification pathway.
The decision proved enormously costly for Nigeria.
DR Congo subsequently defeated Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off and secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, ending a 52-year absence from football’s biggest tournament.
The Leopards went on to reach the knockout stage, while Mpasi started in goal during their campaign.
FIFA, responding to questions surrounding the case, reportedly maintained that its judicial committees are autonomous and determine cases based on applicable regulations and the facts presented before them.
The governing body has not publicly acknowledged wrongdoing in its handling of the matter.
The latest revelations have now put pressure on Nigerian football authorities to reconsider their next move.
A senior National Sports Commission official reportedly told ESPN that Nigeria is considering seeking compensation from FIFA for losses allegedly suffered as a result of missing 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 official said.
