FIFA’s own lawyers found that Lionel Mpasi was ineligible to play for DR Congo. The discovery was made in March 2026. Mpasi had represented France at youth level. He never completed the paperwork to switch his international allegiance. FIFA knew this before DR Congo’s playoff against Jamaica. It allowed him to play anyway. DR Congo won and qualified for the World Cup. Nigeria, which lost to DR Congo in the African playoff final, has been vindicated. It now wants compensation.
Nigeria and DR Congo met in the African playoff final in November 2025. The match ended 1-1 after extra time. DR Congo won 4-3 on penalties. Mpasi played all 120 minutes. The Nigeria Football Federation filed a complaint. It questioned Mpasi’s eligibility and the status of other players. FIFA dismissed the complaint on a technicality. Nigeria missed the World Cup for the second consecutive time. It was the first time since 1994 that the Super Eagles failed to qualify for back-to-back tournaments.
The New York Times and Le Monde reviewed internal FIFA documents. They show that FIFA’s legal team re-examined the case after Nigeria submitted a follow-up request in March 2026. The review uncovered Mpasi’s ineligibility. Article 19 of FIFA’s disciplinary code requires a team fielding an ineligible player to forfeit the match and pay a fine. FIFA’s committee considered awarding the match to Nigeria. It considered replacing DR Congo with Nigeria in the playoff against Jamaica. It chose to do nothing. The reason given was that Nigeria filed its complaint late.
FIFA did not deny the findings. It said its committees are autonomous and decide cases based on regulations. It said President Gianni Infantino had no role in the decision. Former NFF president Ibrahim Gusau said FIFA kept quiet because the findings would cause a crisis. He said FIFA disclosed only the judgment without details. The head of Congolese football, Véron Mosengo-Omba, is an Infantino supporter. He was elected in May 2026, after DR Congo qualified for the World Cup.
Nigeria’s National Sports Commission is exploring all options. A top official said Nigeria has been vindicated. “Nothing has been decided yet, but we will seriously consider seeking compensation from FIFA for all of the economic losses this has cost Nigeria,” the official said. The losses include World Cup revenue, player exposure, transfers, sponsorship fees and economic boost. FIFA has precedent for compensation. It paid the Football Association of Ireland €5 million after Ireland’s disputed elimination from the 2010 World Cup. That payment was later described as a one-off.
DR Congo went on to the World Cup. Mpasi remained the starting goalkeeper. DR Congo faced England in the knockout stage. They lost 2-1. Harry Kane scored twice late. The match should never have taken place, according to the documents. Mpasi’s ineligibility stretches back to 2022. He made his DR Congo debut that year. FIFA allowed him to play for more than four years without completing the switch.
Winners: DR Congo, which reached the World Cup. Gianni Infantino, who avoided a crisis with a key African ally. Véron Mosengo-Omba, who was elected after qualification. FIFA’s disciplinary bodies, which avoided overturning a result.
Losers: Nigeria, which missed the World Cup. The Super Eagles players, who lost a career opportunity. The NFF, whose board resigned after the defeat. Jamaican football, which lost the playoff. FIFA’s credibility, which suffers another blow. The integrity of the qualifying process. Nigeria’s economy, which lost World Cup revenue.
Bottom Line: FIFA knew Mpasi was ineligible. It let him play. DR Congo qualified. Nigeria missed out. The governing body chose politics over rules. Nigeria wants compensation. FIFA has paid before. This case is different. The breach was FIFA’s own finding. The cover-up is the story.