A report has surfaced alleging that FIFA was aware that the Democratic Republic of Congo fielded an ineligible player, Lionel Mpasi, during the 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Nigeria, a game that ultimately saw the Super Eagles miss out on the tournament.
The qualifying fixture, part of the African zone’s campaign for the 2026 World Cup, pitted Nigeria against DR Congo. Nigeria’s failure to qualify has been linked in the report to the alleged eligibility breach by the Congolese side.
Lionel Mpasi, a Congolese international, is identified in the report as the player whose participation violated FIFA’s eligibility rules. The report claims that the governing body knew of the breach before the match took place.
If the allegations are accurate, the situation raises questions about FIFA’s oversight of player eligibility in the African qualifiers and the impact such oversights can have on the fortunes of national teams like Nigeria.
Nigeria, a five‑time World Cup participant, has long been a powerhouse in African football. The claim adds another layer of controversy to the nation’s unsuccessful bid for a spot in the 2026 tournament.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>