The FIFA has rejected accusations concerning Lionel Mpasi’s eligibility, saying there was no problem with the goalkeeper’s participation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s play-off against Jamaica or at the 2026 World Cup.
The statement follows an investigation by The New York Times and Le Monde, published on Tuesday, which raised questions about whether Mpasi had been properly authorised to represent the Leopards during their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
The reports, based on documents and internal FIFA correspondence, claimed the goalkeeper may not have been eligible to play for the RDC despite having appeared at two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and one World Cup.
Asked to respond by German news agency dpa, FIFA rejected the claims relating to Mpasi’s involvement in the intercontinental play-off and the World Cup finals.
“FIFA can confirm that there were no eligibility issues in the RDC’s matches against Jamaica and at the 2026 World Cup,” the governing body said in a statement reported by Kicker.
FIFA also addressed a complaint submitted by the Nigeria Football Federation after the Super Eagles were eliminated by the Leopards on penalties in the African play-offs in November 2025.
The governing body confirmed that the complaint had been considered by its disciplinary committee, but said it had ultimately been declared inadmissible.
That response reinforces FIFA’s official position on the RDC’s participation at the World Cup, although it does not explicitly address every question raised about Mpasi’s involvement in earlier matches.
Mpasi’s international switch under scrutiny
The dispute centres on the goalkeeper’s international career. Before representing the RDC, Mpasi played for France at several youth levels.
He began the process of changing his sporting nationality in 2021 in order to join the Leopards. However, according to The New York Times and Le Monde, the Federation congolaise had not completed all of the required formalities.
Documents cited by the two newspapers suggest FIFA itself identified the potential irregularity after the complaint from Nigeria. They claimed Mpasi may therefore have been ineligible for some qualification matches, although no sanction was eventually imposed.
Mpasi subsequently played in the RDC’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Jamaica in the play-off. He then featured in all four of the team’s matches at the 2026 World Cup.
The goalkeeper was described as outstanding during the tournament before the RDC were knocked out by England in the last 16, losing 2-1.
FIFA’s latest statement maintains that Mpasi’s eligibility was not an issue in either the Jamaica play-off or the RDC’s World Cup campaign.
