FIFA Rules DR Congo's Mpasi Ineligible for World Cup Qualifiers

FIFA has found Lionel Mpasi, the goalkeeper for the Democratic Republic of Congo, ineligible to participate in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. This determination arose from an investigation by Le Monde and The New York Times, which revealed that Mpasi, who holds both French and Congolese nationality, had not completed the necessary process to change his international allegiance after previously representing France at the youth level.

Mpasi was born in Meaux, France, and became provisionally cap-tied to France after playing in an Under-17 European Championship qualifier against Serbia in June 2011. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) lodged a formal objection after Nigeria's loss to DR Congo in the African playoff final in November 2025, questioning the eligibility of several DR Congo players.

Although FIFA established Mpasi's ineligibility, no disciplinary sanctions were imposed on DR Congo, allowing them to proceed to the intercontinental playoff against Jamaica, where they secured a 1-0 victory, earning qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.