Gianni Infantino faces fresh questions after FIFA lawyers flagged DR Congo keeper issue

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing fresh scrutiny after reports claimed the governing body knew DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi was ineligible before the team played Jamaica in the 2026 World Cup intercontinental play-off.

An investigation by The New York Times and Le Monde reported that FIFA lawyers identified concerns surrounding Mpasi’s eligibility in March, weeks before DR Congo faced Jamaica for a place at the World Cup. According to the reports, the lawyers advised that disciplinary action could include a ban for Mpasi and sanctions against DR Congo, potentially affecting its participation in the play-off.

Despite those recommendations, no disciplinary action was taken and Mpasi remained available to DR Congo. He subsequently featured at the World Cup in North America, including in the Congolese side’s last-32 meeting with England.

Le Monde reported that FIFA’s legal team established on 9 and 10 March that Mpasi had not completed the process required to switch his international allegiance from France to DR Congo. The goalkeeper had represented France at youth level before beginning his international career with DR Congo.

The report said FIFA lawyers considered the case serious enough to potentially affect the outcome of the African qualifying process. They reportedly recommended disciplinary proceedings against Mpasi and the Congolese federation, alongside possible sanctions linked to his appearances.

FIFA has rejected suggestions that Infantino personally interfered in the matter. The governing body said its disciplinary committee had examined a complaint from the Nigeria Football Federation but declared it inadmissible, with the decision becoming final after no valid appeal was lodged.

Jamaica raises concerns over eligibility

The revelations have also drawn attention from Concacaf, with Jamaica having been the team that faced DR Congo in the intercontinental play-off.

Concacaf said it takes player eligibility matters seriously and expects regulations to be applied consistently and fairly across its competitions.

“Any concerns regarding player eligibility, particularly those that may affect the integrity of a competition or the interests of one of our member associations, should be thoroughly reviewed and addressed through FIFA’s appropriate governance and disciplinary bodies, in accordance with established regulations and due process.”

DR Congo ultimately defeated Jamaica to secure its place at the World Cup. FIFA’s official tournament information confirms that DR Congo entered the play-off tournament as one of the seeded teams, with Jamaica among the unseeded sides.

The latest controversy adds to a difficult period for Infantino, with FIFA already facing questions over its handling of the Folarin Balogun disciplinary case during the World Cup.

Balogun case adds to pressure on FIFA

Balogun received a red card during the United States’ last-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, which ordinarily triggered a one-match suspension. FIFA’s disciplinary committee later suspended the punishment, allowing the striker to play against Belgium in the last 16.

The decision attracted scrutiny after US President Donald Trump acknowledged contacting Infantino about the sanction. FIFA has maintained that its disciplinary bodies are independent and has denied that Infantino intervened in the decision.

Norway subsequently escalated its concerns. The Norwegian Football Federation confirmed on Tuesday that it had filed formal complaints with FIFA’s Ethics Committee and Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee concerning the Balogun case, the FIFA Forward Enterprise project and the FIFA Peace Prize.

The NFF is asking the ethics body to investigate whether Infantino and other officials may have breached FIFA’s Code of Ethics, while its governance referral seeks scrutiny of FIFA’s decision-making and internal control processes.

FIFA and CAF yet to address latest allegations

The DR Congo goalkeeper controversy now places another FIFA decision under the spotlight, particularly because the reported concerns emerged before the country secured its World Cup place.

The case also raises questions about the consistency of FIFA’s disciplinary procedures and how eligibility breaches are handled when they could affect the outcome of a qualification campaign.

FIFA has been approached for further comment on the reports concerning Mpasi, while the Confederation of African Football has also been contacted.