FIFA under fire after DR Congo allowed to reach World Cup despite ineligible player ruling

FIFA under fire after DR Congo allowed to reach World Cup despite ineligible player ruling FIFA are under the spotlight once again as the controversy over the Democratic Republic of Congo and their place in the World Cup resurfaces, The Telegraph reports. The African nation were allowed to compete at the World Cup despite an internal ruling that their goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi, had been ineligible for more than four years. Mpasi was born in France, but he switched his international allegiance to DR Congo in 2021. However, he reportedly never completed the required change of association. Mpasi made his debut in 2022 and was instrumental in DR Congo’s first World Cup appearance in 52 years. Mpasi’s case has sparked fresh outrage, considering teams that field ineligible players can face severe consequences, including forfeiting their matches. The governing body reportedly considered several options after Nigeria challenged Mpasi’s eligibility. Awarding Nigeria their place in the World Cup play-off was one option, but FIFA dismissed the complaint because it was submitted late. DR Congo were ultimately allowed to keep their place and eventually qualified for the World Cup. This isn’t the first scandal that has come back to haunt FIFA since the conclusion of the highly controversial World Cup campaign in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The governing body suspended a ban handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun after an intervention from US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. FIFA tried to distance itself from that ruling, claiming an independent body made the decision and that it was outside the reach or influence of the governing body and its president. Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo also received similar respite ahead of the World Cup. He didn’t serve the final two of his three-game ban at the tournament. Nigeria’s football federation (NFF) president Ibrahim Musa Gusau called for an investigation , accusing FIFA of staying silent over an issue that sparked a major crisis. Meanwhile, FIFA responded through a spokesperson, saying: “We can confirm that the FIFA disciplinary committee dealt with a protest filed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in this respect. “Following a procedure, the protest was declared inadmissible by this FIFA body. “This disciplinary decision was communicated to the NFF in early March 2026 and, as no proper appeal was lodged, the decision became final and binding. “FIFA’s judicial bodies are autonomous and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. “FIFA strongly rejects any suggestion that the FIFA president would interfere with these processes.”