World Cup 2026 Scandal: DR Congo accused of fielding ineligible player
According to The New York Times, goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi may have participated in the 2026 World Cup without completing the required nationality switch process.
A controversy surrounding the 2026 World Cup has emerged regarding the eligibility of DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. According to revelations from The New York Times, the player may have participated in the tournament improperly, as he allegedly failed to complete the formal requirements for a change of sporting nationality.
The dispute stems from a complaint filed by the Nigerian Football Federation prior to the start of the tournament. The 'Super Eagles', who were defeated by the Congolese side, argued that the DR Congo federation did not finalize the necessary paperwork for the goalkeeper, who had previously represented France at the U-16 and U-17 levels.
FIFA officially closed the case, citing technical procedural reasons and the timing of the complaint. The governing body stated that decisions were made by independent committees and explicitly denied any intervention by president Gianni Infantino.
Despite FIFA's stance, CONCACAF has confirmed it will investigate the incident. The confederation stated that any issue concerning player eligibility, especially those that could compromise the integrity of a competition or the interests of member federations, must be examined with total depth.