Fifa is facing scrutiny over the eligibility of Lionel Mpasi, the goalkeeper who represented the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) in the 2026 World Cup, after documents revealed that the player had not completed the necessary paperwork to switch national allegiances. Born in Meaux, France, Mpasi previously played for French youth teams before making his DR Congo debut in 2022. However, Fifa’s legal department reportedly found that his transfer of national affiliation was never officially approved.

This controversy emerged following a complaint from Nigeria, which narrowly missed out on World Cup qualification after losing to DR Congo in qualifying play-offs. Nigeria raised concerns over the eligibility of Mpasi and other players, prompting a Fifa investigation. Although the initial appeal by Nigeria was dismissed on a procedural technicality, internal documents indicated that Fifa was aware of Mpasi’s ineligibility before he played in the decisive qualifying match against Jamaica in March, as well as during the World Cup itself. Mpasi made notable contributions, including a strong performance against England in the round of 32, where DR Congo took an early lead before England’s late goals secured victory.

The decision to allow Mpasi to play has drawn criticism from several football confederations including Concacaf, which emphasized the importance of addressing eligibility issues to uphold competition integrity. The case has also raised questions about potential conflicts of interest due to Mpasi’s close ties within Fifa’s leadership. Véron Mosengo-Omba, a longtime associate of Fifa President Gianni Infantino, was in the process of running for the presidency of the DR Congo Football Federation at the time the eligibility concerns were reviewed. Mosengo-Omba and Infantino share a history dating back to their university days and have held roles within Uefa, Fifa, and African football organizations.

While Fifa has rejected suggestions that Infantino influenced the decision, stating that the president had no involvement in the matter and calling allegations “unfounded,” the incident has intensified calls for transparency. Nigeria’s Football Association president Ibrahim Musa Gusau has urged an independent inquiry into the handling of the eligibility dispute. Critics have noted that past Fifa rulings have resulted in reversed match outcomes for ineligible players, making the DR Congo case particularly contentious.

The controversy compounds ongoing tensions within Fifa, where Infantino faces opposition from other continental bodies such as Uefa and Concacaf as he seeks to solidify his leadership ahead of upcoming elections. The situation may also impact his support base, particularly in Africa, where his allies hold significant influence. As investigations continue, the episode raises broader questions about governance, compliance, and fairness in international football.