Incredible! FIFA Found Congo Keeper Ineligible, Still Allowed World Cup Qualification
FIFA officials determined that Democratic Republic of Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi was ineligible to represent the country because the required documentation for his change of international affiliation had not been completed, according to documents and correspondence reviewed by The New York Times.
Despite the finding, FIFA did not sanction Congo, allowing the team to continue its World Cup qualification campaign and subsequently defeat Jamaica to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Nigeria after the Super Eagles were eliminated by Congo in the African qualifying playoff. Nigeria had challenged the eligibility of Mpasi, who previously represented France at youth level.
According to the documents reviewed by The New York Times and a senior official directly involved in the case, FIFA’s legal officials found during their investigation that the necessary documentation to switch Mpasi’s international affiliation had never been completed.
Under normal circumstances, fielding an ineligible player can result in a team forfeiting matches in which the player appeared.
However, FIFA dismissed Nigeria’s complaint on a technicality and did not prevent Congo from proceeding to the decisive playoff against Jamaica.
Congo subsequently defeated Jamaica in March to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 52 years.
FIFA did not directly dispute the findings reported by The New York Times, but said Nigeria’s case was dismissed on a technicality.
In a statement to the newspaper, FIFA said its committees were ‘autonomous and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them,’ adding that FIFA president Gianni Infantino had no role in such decisions.
The revelations are likely to intensify scrutiny of FIFA’s handling of player eligibility cases and raise fresh questions over the circumstances surrounding Nigeria’s failed challenge to Congo’s qualification.
Nigeria’s complaint had represented its final route back into the World Cup after Congo defeated the Super Eagles in the African playoff, denying Nigeria a place at the tournament.
