Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Reports Say FIFA Knew Congo Goalkeeper Was Ineligible
Reports say Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi played in important matches without completing the process to change which country he could represent.
He had played for France’s under-17 team earlier in his career.
The reports say FIFA knew about the issue before the World Cup.
Mpasi played in five qualifying matches and then in all four of Congo’s matches at the tournament.
Nigeria’s football federation complained to FIFA about Congo’s player eligibility.
FIFA officials reportedly considered different ways to handle the complaint, including letting Nigeria take Congo’s place in a playoff.
FIFA said its disciplinary bodies make decisions independently under the rules and facts of each case.
The reports appeared ahead of a meeting of African football officials that was expected to include FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The New York Times and Le Monde reported that FIFA knew Lionel Mpasi lacked approval to represent Congo before the World Cup.
Mpasi, a former France Under-17 international, played five qualifiers and all four of Congo’s World Cup matches.
Nigeria’s football federation complained to FIFA that Congo had breached eligibility rules.
Internal documents reportedly outlined options including dismissing Nigeria’s complaint or allowing Nigeria to replace Congo in a playoff.
FIFA said its disciplinary bodies were independent and decide cases under applicable rules and the facts presented.
- Who
- Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, FIFA, and the Nigerian football federation.
- What
- Media reports said FIFA knew Mpasi lacked formal approval to represent Congo after he played in qualifiers, but he continued at the World Cup.
- When
- The reports were published Tuesday, before a three-day African football summit; the reported qualifying matches took place in the past year.
- Where
- The qualifying matches involved Congo, including an African playoff and an intercontinental playoff; the summit was scheduled for Cape Verde.
- Why
- The reports said Mpasi had not completed FIFA’s process to switch eligibility from France to Congo.
Reports and Complaint
FIFA’s Response
Mpasi’s eligibility
Reports and Complaint
The New York Times and Le Monde, citing internal documents, reported that Mpasi had not formally received FIFA approval to represent Congo and was ineligible in qualifying matches.
FIFA’s Response
FIFA’s statement said its disciplinary bodies decide cases independently under applicable regulations and the specific facts before them; it did not address the reported details of Mpasi’s case.
Handling the complaint
Reports and Complaint
Nigeria’s federation formally complained, and the reports said FIFA lawyers considered possible consequences, including allowing Nigeria to replace Congo in a playoff.
FIFA’s Response
FIFA said its disciplinary bodies are independent; the article does not report a specific FIFA response to Nigeria’s complaint or the options described in the documents.
- Goalkeeper
- Lionel Mpasi, 32, formerly a France Under-17 international
- Reported eligibility issue
- The reports said Mpasi had not received formal FIFA approval to represent Congo
- Qualifying appearances
- Mpasi played in five qualifiers, according to the article
- World Cup appearances
- He played in all four of Congo’s matches
- Formal complaint
- Nigeria’s football federation complained to FIFA about possible eligibility-rule violations
- Reported options
- FIFA disciplinary lawyers reportedly considered dismissing Nigeria’s complaint or allowing Nigeria to replace Congo in a playoff
- FIFA response
- FIFA said its disciplinary bodies were independent and decide cases based on applicable regulations and specific facts