Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has taken a fresh turn following reports that football’s world governing body was alerted to concerns over the eligibility of DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi before the decisive playoff matches.
Reports by The New York Times and Le Monde indicate that FIFA officials were allegedly aware by March that Mpasi had not completed the required international allegiance switch from France to DR Congo.
According to the reports, the documentation authorising the goalkeeper to represent DR Congo had not been finalised before he featured for the country.
The development could reopen questions surrounding Nigeria’s elimination from the African World Cup playoff.
The Super Eagles faced DR Congo in November after Nigeria entered the playoff tournament in an attempt to secure a route to the 2026 World Cup. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with DR Congo eventually winning 4-3 on penalties.
Nigeria’s football authorities had reportedly raised concerns about Mpasi’s eligibility following the defeat.
DR Congo subsequently advanced to the intercontinental playoff, where they defeated Jamaica to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The latest reports claim FIFA lawyers became aware of the eligibility issue in March and considered possible sanctions. Among the options reportedly discussed was removing DR Congo from the intercontinental playoff against Jamaica and imposing a suspension on Mpasi.
However, no disciplinary action was reportedly taken at the time, allowing Mpasi to remain available for DR Congo.
The situation has now attracted further scrutiny, with Nigeria expected to consider taking the matter up with FIFA.
Jamaica has also reportedly filed a complaint with FIFA, arguing that the eligibility issue affected the fairness of its intercontinental playoff against DR Congo and seeking compensation.
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), which represents Jamaica, has also expressed concern over the matter.
In a statement, CONCACAF stressed the importance of applying player-eligibility rules consistently and fairly across international competitions.
The confederation said concerns capable of affecting the integrity of a tournament or the interests of a member association should be properly examined by FIFA’s relevant disciplinary and governance bodies.
The controversy could therefore have wider implications for the 2026 World Cup qualification process, particularly if FIFA confirms that Mpasi was ineligible when he represented DR Congo.
For Nigeria, the issue could provide a new avenue to challenge circumstances surrounding the Super Eagles’ dramatic playoff defeat and their subsequent absence from the 2026 World Cup.
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