World Cup: Fifa finds DR Congo goalkeeper, Mpasi was ineligible to play against Nigeria
FIFA has determined that Lionel Mpasi, the goalkeeper for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was ineligible to participate in the country’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Investigations by Le Monde and The New York Times revealed that FIFA’s legal team concluded that Mpasi, who holds both French and Congolese citizenship, had not completed the necessary procedures to change his national allegiance to DRC after previously representing France at the youth level.
Born in Meaux, France, to parents of Congolese descent, Mpasi became provisionally cap-tied to France after his appearance in a UEFA U17 Euro qualifier against Serbia in June 2011.
This issue came to light following a formal protest lodged by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The NFF raised objections after Nigeria’s national team faced a penalty shootout defeat to DRC in the African playoff final in November 2025, citing eligibility concerns regarding several DRC players, including issues related to nationality and passport irregularities.
Despite the findings about Mpasi’s eligibility, FIFA did not impose any disciplinary actions against the DRC, allowing the team, known as the Leopards, to progress to the intercontinental playoff against Jamaica.
In that match, DRC emerged victorious with a 1-0 win after extra time, with Mpasi playing as goalkeeper, ultimately securing their spot in the 2026 World Cup.
