FIFA has found that Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi, was ineligible to play for the country throughout the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Investigations by Le Monde and The New York Times claim Fifa’s legal team found that Mpasi, who holds French and Congolese nationality, had not completed the required process to switch his allegiance to DRC after representing France at youth level..
The goalkeeper was born in Meaux to parents of Congolese origin and became provisionally cap-tied to France following his appearance in an U17 Euro qualifier against Serbia in June 2011.
This revelation emerged following a formal objection submitted by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, after the Super Eagles suffered a penalty shootout defeat to the Leopards in the African playoff final in November 2025.
The NFF had contested the eligibility of multiple Democratic Republic of Congo players citing nationality concerns and passport irregularities.
Notwithstanding this discovery, Fifa imposed no disciplinary measures against DR Congo, permitting the Leopards to advance to the intercontinental playoff against Jamaica.
DR Congo prevailed over Jamaica with a 1-0 victory following extra time, with Mpasi serving as goalkeeper, thereby securing their qualification for the 2026 World Cup.