World Cup 2026: FIFA knew Lionel Mpasi was ineligible and let DR Congo play

The rule takes one sentence, article 19 of FIFA’s disciplinary code: “if a player taking part in a match is declared ineligible following a claim, the team he belongs to is sanctioned with a match forfeited and a fine of 6,000 Swiss francs (6,500 euros) at minimum”. A joint investigation by Le Monde and the New York Times, published on Tuesday 6 October, shows the rule should have kept DR Congo out of the 2026 World Cup: FIFA’s own lawyers found Lionel Mpasi ineligible before the tournament, and their recommendation was never applied.

A goalkeeper born in Meaux, an affiliation never ratified

Lionel Mpasi, 32, keeps goal for Le Havre. Born in Meaux, capped by France at youth level, he could only represent DR Congo once his switch of federation had been ratified. The Congolese federation (Fecofa) started the process in 2021, and it was never completed, RMC Sport reports. The goalkeeper nonetheless played the African play-off against Nigeria (1-1, 4-3 on penalties), the intercontinental play-off won against Jamaica (1-0), and the whole tournament.

Nigeria’s appeal dismissed, FIFA’s own lawyers ignored

The Nigerian federation, which suspected several Congolese players of ineligibility, filed an appeal on 28 November 2025 and asked for a forfeit win. FIFA replied on 10 March 2026 that it had only received the request the day before and considered it “inadmissible for formal and time reasons”. Its own lawyers, though, found Mpasi ineligible and recommended a forfeit, which would have sent Nigeria to the play-off against Jamaica. No sanction was published. Gianni Infantino and secretary general Mattias Grafström had been informed, according to the investigation.

DR Congo were playing a second World Cup, a first since 1974, and left in the round of 16, beaten by England (2-1) after finishing third in group K behind Portugal and Colombia. On where the discovery came from, the accounts differ: So Foot credits the Nigerian federation, while RMC Sport and Foot Mercato point to FIFA’s lawyers, in March 2026. By midday on Tuesday, neither FIFA nor the Fecofa had reacted publicly.