Fifa Faces Fresh Storm Over DR Congo World Cup Eligibility Case

Fifa is facing renewed scrutiny after reports said the governing body allowed the Democratic Republic of Congo to continue in World Cup qualifying and reach the tournament despite internal findings that goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi had not been properly cleared to switch allegiance from France.

The case has triggered anger in Nigeria, whose football federation lodged a complaint after losing a playoff to DR Congo, and reopened a broader debate about how consistently player eligibility rules are enforced at the top level of world football.

Eligibility dispute at the heart of the controversy

According to reports from the New York Times and Le Monde, Fifa investigators were aware of the issue before DR Congo defeated Jamaica in the final intercontinental playoff round in March. The reports say internal checks found Mpasi had not completed the full administrative process needed to represent DR Congo, despite having played for France at youth level and later featuring prominently for his adopted nation.

Mpasi, who started for DR Congo at the World Cup and played a key role against England in the round of 32, became the central figure in a case that has raised more questions than answers. The key issue was not only whether the player was eligible in practice, but whether the required paperwork had been filed correctly and on time.

What Nigeria complained about

Nigeria’s football federation had already complained after its team lost a continental playoff to DR Congo on penalties in November. That complaint argued that DR Congo had fielded ineligible players during the tie. Fifa ultimately rejected the complaint on the basis that it was not submitted within the required timeframe, rather than on the merits of the eligibility claims.

That decision became more contentious after reports emerged that Fifa had knowledge of the alleged registration problem before DR Congo advanced further. Nigeria has since appealed, and officials have indicated they may explore financial compensation for the losses they believe the dispute has cost the country.

One Nigerian sports official was quoted as saying: “Nothing has been decided yet, but we will seriously consider seeking compensation from Fifa for all of the economic losses this has cost Nigeria.”

Fifa under pressure again

The episode adds another chapter to the ongoing governance debate around Fifa president Gianni Infantino, although the organisation has denied that he played any role in the decision-making process. Fifa has said its investigative teams operate independently, but the optics of the case are difficult to ignore given the scale of the controversy and the involvement of high-profile stakeholders.

The issue is also linked to the broader political and administrative landscape in African football. DR Congo’s federation, Fecofa, has already seen further attention after former Infantino associate Véron Mosengo-Omba was elected unopposed as its president in May.

“Player eligibility matters must be applied consistently and fairly,” Concacaf said in a statement, urging any concerns to be thoroughly reviewed by Fifa’s disciplinary bodies.

Concacaf’s response is notable because Jamaica, one of its members, was directly affected by DR Congo’s playoff route to the tournament. The confederation said it expects the rules and procedures to be enforced in the same way for every federation, regardless of geography or status.

How the tournament path unfolded

Despite the eligibility cloud, DR Congo completed a remarkable route to the World Cup. After beating Nigeria on penalties, the team won its final intercontinental playoff against Jamaica to seal a place at the tournament for the first time in 52 years.

At the finals, the Leopards held their own in a difficult group that included Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan before being eliminated by England in the round of 32. Mpasi remained the starting goalkeeper throughout, while Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa was among the standout attacking figures in the squad.

Questions that will not go away

The most serious concern now is not only whether the paperwork was incomplete, but whether the sport’s governing body handled the matter transparently and consistently. If Fifa knew of the issue before the decisive playoff, critics will ask why no immediate sanction followed.

As the eligibility debate grows, the case may also fuel wider claims that football’s disciplinary systems are too slow, too technical, or too selective when major tournaments are at stake. For Nigeria, the sense of injustice is obvious. For DR Congo, the achievement remains historic, but it is now shadowed by a dispute that could linger long after the final whistle.

Fifa, Concacaf, Caf, the Nigeria Football Federation and Fecofa were all approached for comment, keeping the story alive as football awaits clearer answers on how the decision was reached and whether any further action will follow.