FIFA eligibility finding raises fresh questions over DR Congo’s World Cup route

FIFA discovered that Democratic Republic of the Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mbasi may not have been eligible to play in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, but did not penalise the team, according to investigations by Le Monde and The New York Times.

Had the regulations been applied, the decision could have changed which nation represented Africa in the World Cup play-offs.

FIFA’s legal team reportedly identified the issue in March 2026, finding that Mbasi had not completed the process to change his sporting nationality from France to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He had nevertheless played in the country’s qualifying campaign, including the decisive match against Nigeria.

Mbasi had represented France at youth level, meaning his international eligibility was subject to FIFA’s rules on changes of association.

The case began in November 2025, when the Nigeria Football Federation lodged a complaint after Nigeria lost to the Democratic Republic of the Congo on penalties in the African play-off final. Nigeria requested sanctions against the Congolese side, alleging that ineligible players had been used and that there were problems relating to nationality and player documentation.

The investigations say FIFA initially found no breach warranting punishment. However, after the Nigeria Football Federation requested further consideration in March 2026, FIFA’s legal team reviewed the file again and identified concerns over Mbasi’s status.

According to Le Monde, Mbasi holds both French and Congolese nationality and played several matches for France’s youth teams. The process to change his national association, which began in 2021, had not been completed.

The matter centres on Article 19 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code. As reported by Le Monde, the provision allows a team to be sanctioned with a forfeit and a financial penalty if it is found, following a complaint, to have fielded an ineligible player. The investigation also cited previous cases in which FIFA punished national teams for similar breaches.

Applying that rule could have altered the identity of the African team involved in the global play-off. Nigeria might have taken the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s place in a match against Jamaica, before the latter secured a place at the World Cup by beating Jamaica 1-0 after extra time.

FIFA ultimately rejected the Nigerian complaint on procedural and timing grounds, according to its response to Le Monde. The governing body said its Disciplinary Committee had considered the case and decided the complaint was inadmissible.

FIFA added that the decision had become final and binding because no appeal was submitted through the required procedures.

The organisation has also stressed the independence of its judicial bodies and denied that its president, Gianni Infantino, intervened in the matter. However, the two investigations have renewed scrutiny of how FIFA’s regulations are applied in one of the most controversial cases linked to qualification for the 2026 World Cup.