The FIFA has rejected claims that Democratic Republic of the Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi was ineligible to play in the country’s intercontinental play-off against Jamaica or at the 2026 World Cup.
The governing body responded after a joint investigation by The New York Times and Le Monde raised questions about Mpasi’s international status and his involvement in the Leopards’ qualifying campaign.
“The FIFA can confirm that there was no issue concerning eligibility during the matches of the RDC against Jamaica and at the 2026 World Cup,” the organisation said in a statement to German news agency dpa, reported by Kicker.
The two newspapers said documents and internal FIFA correspondence suggested Mpasi had not been properly authorised to represent the RDC, despite having played at two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and one World Cup.
The reports also examined a complaint submitted by the Nigeria Football Federation after the Super Eagles were eliminated by the Leopards on penalties in the African play-offs in November 2025.
FIFA confirmed that the complaint had been considered by its disciplinary committee, but said it was ultimately declared inadmissible.
Its response restates the governing body’s official position on the RDC’s participation in the World Cup, although it does not explicitly address every question raised about earlier matches.
Mpasi’s international switch under scrutiny
The issue centres on Mpasi’s previous international career. Before playing for the RDC, the goalkeeper represented France at several youth levels.
He began the process of changing his sporting nationality in 2021 to join the Leopards. However, according to The New York Times and Le Monde, the Congolese federation may not have completed all the formal procedures required to finalise the switch.
Documents cited by the newspapers indicate that FIFA may itself have identified the irregularity after the Nigerian complaint. The reports suggest Mpasi was not eligible for some of the RDC’s qualifying matches, although no sanction was eventually imposed.
Mpasi subsequently played in the intercontinental play-off against Jamaica, which the RDC won 1-0 after extra time. He then featured in all four of the RDC’s matches at the 2026 World Cup.
The goalkeeper was described as outstanding during the tournament before the RDC were knocked out in the last 16 by England, losing 2-1.
FIFA’s latest statement maintains that there was no eligibility problem relating to either the victory over Jamaica or Mpasi’s appearances in the 2026 World Cup.