Nigeria is exploring compensation from FIFA after reports revealed the football body knew DR Congo’s goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi, was ineligible during World Cup qualifying but allowed him to play, leading to Nigeria’s elimination.
Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC) has confirmed it is exploring all options
to seek compensation from FIFA for economic losses caused by DR Congo’s alleged use of an ineligible player during World Cup qualifying, according to multiple reports. The controversy centers on goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who was found to have failed to complete the required process to switch his international allegiance from France to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
FIFA Officials Aware of Mpasi's Ineligibility Before 2026 World Cup
Internal FIFA documents, cited by The New York Times and Le Monde, reveal that officials were aware of Mpasi’s ineligibility before the 2026 World Cup. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) first raised concerns about DRC’s eligibility, but FIFA rejected the complaint on technical grounds.
An investigation by The New York Times and Le Monde found that FIFA officials determined Le Havre goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau hadn’t completed the necessary steps to change his international allegiance from France to DR Congo before playing for the Leopards. Mpasi, born in France, played for Les Bleus at youth level, including the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Despite starting the process in 2021, FIFA’s legal officials revealed the process was never completed. Mpasi made his DR Congo debut in February 2022 and featured in seven qualifiers, including the November 2025 playoff against Nigeria.
A senior Nigerian National Sports Commission official stated that Nigeria has been vindicated in their challenge regarding DR Congo’s use of ineligible players during World Cup qualifiers and is considering all available options.
FIFA’s Past Precedents and Current Dilemma
FIFA’s disciplinary code allows for sanctions in cases of ineligible players, including match forfeiture. Past examples include Greece’s 2016 suspension for fielding an ineligible player and Bolivia’s 2018 forfeits. However, in DRC’s case, FIFA’s disciplinary committee considered but ultimately did not impose sanctions, citing the NFF’s late filing of the complaint. Premium Times Nigeria reported that options included awarding the match to Nigeria, imposing fines, or replacing DRC with Nigeria in the intercontinental playoff against Jamaica.
Reviewing documents and correspondence from The New York Times and insights from a senior official in the case, it was revealed that FIFA officials evaluated potential penalties against Congo, such as awarding the match to Nigeria, imposing fines, substituting Congo with Nigeria in the Jamaica playoff, or taking no action due to Nigeria’s late complaint filing. The NFF had earlier said it was appealing FIFA’s rejection of its complaint. Nigeria’s original case was broader than Mpasi’s eligibility. The federation raised doubts about the eligibility of multiple DR Congo players and claimed FIFA might have received inaccurate information when approving their participation.
Nigeria’s Next Steps and FIFA’s Response
FIFA has not publicly responded to the allegations, but its disciplinary officials stated they strongly reject any suggestion that the FIFA President would interfere with these processes.
However, the controversy has intensified scrutiny of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, particularly after reports revealed his ties to DRC’s football federation president, Véron Mosengo-Omba, who was elected without opposition in May 2026. Infantino and Mosengo-Omba attended university in Switzerland together and later worked together at UEFA and FIFA. The African soccer summit occurs as Infantino seeks the continent’s support in the upcoming March FIFA presidential election.
The NFF has also called for an investigation into whether Infantino and others violated FIFA’s ethics code. The purpose of these filings is straightforward: to establish the facts and ensure accountability under FIFA’s own rules,
said NFF president Lise Klaveness.
FIFA’s legal department uncovered a separate issue involving Mpasi while reviewing the case in March 2026. According to FIFA’s disciplinary rules, using an ineligible player may lead to the match being awarded to the opposing team by forfeit, along with a financial penalty. The report revealed FIFA’s lawyers also highlighted the possibility of disciplinary action being taken. Despite that, FIFA did not sanction DR Congo before the Leopards faced Jamaica.
What’s Next for Nigeria and FIFA?
Nigeria’s NSC has urged FIFA to review the case. However, the outcome remains uncertain. FIFA’s disciplinary committee has not yet reopened the matter, and the organization has not commented on the possibility of revisiting the decision.
The controversy has broader implications for FIFA’s governance, as it raises questions about consistency in enforcing eligibility rules. The Guardian noted that similar cases, such as the 2018 Bolivia and 2016 Greece incidents, saw stricter enforcement. Nigeria’s situation, however, highlights a potential gap in FIFA’s procedures when complaints are filed late or when political or administrative pressures are involved.
The recent revelations have intensified attention on Infantino’s ties with African football officials and the continent’s political significance within FIFA. During FIFA’s review of the Congo eligibility case, Véron Mosengo-Omba, an ally of Infantino, was gearing up to run for the Congolese football federation presidency. The NFF had earlier said it was appealing FIFA’s rejection of its complaint. Nigeria’s original case was broader than Mpasi’s eligibility. The federation raised doubts about the eligibility of multiple DR Congo players and claimed FIFA might have received inaccurate information when approving their participation.
The loss resulted in Nigeria missing the World Cup for the second time in a row, following their exclusion from the 2022 tournament in Qatar. In December 2025, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) submitted a complaint to FIFA, claiming that Congo had used players who weren’t properly eligible to represent the nation. The NFF’s complaint was rejected for technical reasons, but FIFA had found a problem with Mpasi’s eligibility. Bolivia also lost two 2018 World Cup qualifying matches after including Nelson Cabrera, who was found to be ineligible.
FIFA’s disciplinary code allows for sanctions in cases of ineligible players, including match forfeiture. Past examples include Greece’s 2016 suspension for fielding an ineligible player and Bolivia’s 2018 forfeits. However, in DRC’s case, FIFA’s disciplinary committee considered but ultimately did not impose sanctions, citing the NFF’s late filing of the complaint. The NFF had earlier said it was appealing FIFA’s rejection of its complaint. Nigeria’s original case was broader than Mpasi’s eligibility. The federation raised doubts about the eligibility of multiple DR Congo players and claimed FIFA might have received inaccurate information when approving their participation.