FIFA rejects eligibility concerns over DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi

FIFA has rejected allegations concerning Lionel Mpasi’s eligibility, saying there were no irregularities involving the DR Congo goalkeeper during the 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 whether Mpasi had been authorised to represent the Leopards in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

The reports, published on Tuesday and based on documents and internal FIFA correspondence, claimed Mpasi may not have been eligible to play for DR Congo despite having appeared at two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and one World Cup.

Asked by German news agency dpa about the allegations, FIFA disputed any concerns over Mpasi’s involvement in the intercontinental play-off and the World Cup finals.

“FIFA can confirm that there were no eligibility issues regarding the matches of DR Congo against Jamaica and during the 2026 World Cup,” the organisation said in a statement reported by Kicker.

FIFA also addressed 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.

The governing body confirmed that the complaint had been reviewed by its disciplinary committee, but said it had ultimately been declared inadmissible.

That position confirms FIFA’s official stance on DR Congo’s participation in the World Cup, although it does not explicitly address every question raised about Mpasi’s earlier appearances.

Mpasi’s international switch under scrutiny

The dispute centres on Mpasi’s international career. Before playing for DR Congo, the goalkeeper represented France at several youth levels.

In 2021, he began the process of changing his sporting nationality in order to join the Leopards. However, according to the investigation by The New York Times and Le Monde, the Congolese federation did not complete all the required formalities.

Documents cited by the two newspapers suggest FIFA itself identified the alleged irregularity after Nigeria’s complaint. They indicate that Mpasi may not have been eligible for some matches during the qualifying campaign, although no sanction was eventually imposed.

Mpasi subsequently played in DR Congo’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off. He then started all four of the Leopards’ matches at the 2026 World Cup.

The goalkeeper performed strongly throughout the tournament before DR Congo were eliminated by England in the last 32, losing 2-1.

FIFA has maintained that Mpasi’s eligibility was not an issue in either the match against Jamaica or DR Congo’s four fixtures at the World Cup.