Kinshasa’s route back to the World Cup, ending a 52-year wait for the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been placed under a legal cloud after questions emerged over the international eligibility of goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. FIFA is said to have established that the required paperwork for his national-team switch had not been completed, yet allowed Congo to continue its campaign.
An eligibility case around the Congo goalkeeper
Mpasi was born in France and had previously represented France at youth level, making 12 official appearances across the under-16 and under-17 teams. Under FIFA rules, a player with that record must complete a formal change of association before appearing for another country’s senior side.
The issue centred on whether the Congolese Football Federation had concluded that process before selecting Mpasi. FIFA’s internal examination reportedly found that the mandatory switch had never been finalised, meaning his appearances for DR Congo were not valid under the regulations.
- Lionel Mpasi had played 12 competitive matches for France’s under-16 and under-17 sides.
- He later became DR Congo’s goalkeeper during the decisive part of World Cup qualifying.
- FIFA rules require formal approval for a player changing national association after official youth internationals.
- The Congolese federation was found not to have completed that required procedure.
Nigeria’s complaint and FIFA’s response
The Nigerian Football Federation raised the matter after Nigeria lost their direct qualifying contest with DR Congo and missed out on one of Africa’s places at the tournament. Its formal complaint challenged the eligibility of Congolese players, with Mpasi the principal focus.
Although FIFA’s investigation reportedly accepted the substance of Nigeria’s objection, the complaint was closed on technical procedural grounds. The governing body did not impose the sanctions that would normally accompany an ineligible player case, leaving DR Congo in the competition.
A historic qualification remains in place
With Mpasi continuing as the starting goalkeeper, DR Congo reached the decisive play-off against Jamaica and won to secure a place at the World Cup. The qualification marked the country’s first return to the finals in 52 years.
The goalkeeper also featured during Congo’s World Cup participation, despite the unresolved documentation concerns. The case leaves FIFA facing renewed scrutiny over how it handled an eligibility breach that it had reportedly identified itself.
