Nigeria could have replaced DR Congo at World Cup, FIFA documents show

Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has come under fresh scrutiny following revelations that the Democratic Republic of Congo may have used an ineligible player during the qualification process.

An investigation by The Athletic found that DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi had previously represented France at youth level and had not completed all the necessary documentation required to switch his international allegiance.

The issue reportedly came to FIFA’s attention after Nigeria challenged Mpasi’s eligibility following the Super Eagles’ defeat to DR Congo in the World Cup qualifying playoffs.

Documents reviewed by The Athletic showed that FIFA considered several possible actions after receiving Nigeria’s complaint.

Among the options were awarding the match to Nigeria, imposing a fine on DR Congo, replacing the Congolese team with Nigeria in the playoff against Jamaica or taking no action because Nigeria’s complaint was filed after the required deadline.

FIFA eventually allowed DR Congo to continue in the competition.

The Central African country went on to defeat Jamaica and secure a place at the 2026 World Cup, ending a 52 year wait for an appearance at football’s biggest tournament.

FIFA did not challenge the findings of the investigation. The organisation said its committees operate independently and make decisions based on the relevant regulations and facts presented in each case.

FIFA also said its president, Gianni Infantino, had no involvement in the decision.

The revelation has raised questions about whether FIFA treated Nigeria’s case differently from previous eligibility disputes.

In 2016, Greece was handed a 3-0 defeat after fielding an ineligible player who had represented Australia at youth level. FIFA also changed the results of two Bolivia matches during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers after Bolivia was found to have used a player who had previously represented Paraguay.

The latest development could therefore lead to renewed calls for an explanation of FIFA’s handling of the Nigeria and DR Congo case.

The Athletic also reported that the controversy was not fully communicated to the Nigerian football authorities.

Former Nigeria Football Federation president Ibrahim Musa Gusau reportedly said he was informed that Nigeria’s complaint had been rejected on technical grounds.

However, he said he was not told that FIFA had identified an eligibility concern involving Mpasi.

Gusau has called for an investigation, arguing that the information could have had a significant impact on Nigeria’s World Cup qualification campaign.

The controversy has also raised questions about FIFA’s relationship with African football officials, particularly because Africa’s 54 member associations form the largest voting bloc in FIFA’s presidential elections.

The Athletic linked the case to the activities of Véron Mosengo-Omba, an ally of Infantino who was involved in Congolese football administration.

Two months after DR Congo secured its World Cup qualification, Mosengo-Omba emerged as the sole candidate for the presidency of the country’s football federation and was subsequently elected after eight other candidates withdrew or were declared ineligible under revised rules.

Mosengo-Omba later resigned as CAF secretary-general in March amid governance concerns.

The latest revelations could increase pressure on FIFA to explain why DR Congo was allowed to continue its qualification campaign despite concerns over the eligibility of one of its players.