FIFA is facing renewed scrutiny over the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup after documents reportedly showed that the governing body’s officials had concluded that the team fielded an ineligible player.
According to the New York Times, internal documents and correspondence reviewed by the newspaper indicated that FIFA officials found goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi had not completed the required paperwork to switch his international allegiance after representing France at youth level.
The issue reportedly emerged after Nigeria lodged a complaint over Mpasi’s eligibility following the Super Eagles’ defeat by DR Congo in the World Cup play-off.
Congo subsequently defeated Jamaica to secure qualification for the tournament.
Under FIFA rules, fielding an ineligible player can result in a forfeiture of matches in which the player featured.
However, the documents reportedly showed that FIFA considered several possible outcomes in the Congo case, including awarding Nigeria a win by default, imposing a financial penalty, replacing Congo with Nigeria in the play-off against Jamaica or taking no action.
The latter option was eventually adopted, with the documents indicating that FIFA considered Nigeria’s complaint to have been submitted late.
FIFA did not dispute the findings of the Times investigation but said the case had been closed on a technicality.
The governing body also stated that its committees operate independently and determine cases based on the applicable regulations and facts.
The case has drawn further attention because FIFA had previously imposed sporting sanctions in similar circumstances.
In 2016, Greece were handed a 3-0 forfeit after fielding an ineligible player, while Bolivia had two World Cup qualifying results changed in 2017 after an eligibility violation was established.
