Ayomide Awe
Fresh revelations have raised serious questions over the circumstances surrounding Nigeria’s controversial failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with reports indicating that FIFA officials knew that Democratic Republic of Congo goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi, had not completed the required process to change his international allegiance from France.
The development has reignited concerns over FIFA’s handling of Nigeria’s complaint against DR Congo following the African World Cup play-off final in Rabat, Morocco, where the Super Eagles were eliminated on penalties.
Nigeria drew 1-1 with DR Congo after 120 minutes on November 16, 2025, before losing 4-3 in the penalty shootout, with Mpasi playing the entire match.
However, documents reportedly reviewed by The New York Times indicate that FIFA’s legal officials later established that Mpasi had not completed the necessary process to switch his international association from France to DR Congo.
The revelation could potentially reopen questions surrounding Nigeria’s protest, which was rejected by FIFA on technical grounds.
According to reports, DR Congo had begun the process of changing Mpasi’s international association in 2021, but the procedure was allegedly never completed.
Mpasi, 32, was born in France and represented the country at youth level before opting to play for DR Congo.
The implication of the reported FIFA finding is that the goalkeeper may not have been properly cleared to represent DR Congo at the time he featured against Nigeria.
The controversy deepened after reports emerged that FIFA had considered several options following Nigeria’s complaint.
Among the options reportedly considered were awarding the match to Nigeria, imposing a sporting sanction on DR Congo, replacing the Leopards with the Super Eagles in the intercontinental play-off against Jamaica, or taking no action because Nigeria’s complaint was filed outside the applicable timeframe.
FIFA ultimately took no action that altered the qualification pathway.
The decision proved enormously costly for Nigeria.
DR Congo subsequently defeated Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off and secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, ending a 52-year absence from football’s biggest tournament.
The Leopards went on to reach the knockout stage, while Mpasi started in goal during their campaign.
FIFA, responding to questions surrounding the case, reportedly maintained that its judicial committees are autonomous and determine cases based on applicable regulations and the facts presented before them.
The governing body has not publicly acknowledged wrongdoing in its handling of the matter.
The latest revelations have now put pressure on Nigerian football authorities to reconsider their next move.
A senior National Sports Commission official reportedly told ESPN that Nigeria is considering seeking compensation from FIFA for losses allegedly suffered as a result of missing the World Cup.
“Nothing has been decided yet, but we will seriously consider seeking compensation from FIFA for all of the economic losses this has cost Nigeria,” the official said.
According to the official, the potential losses could include revenue expected by the Nigeria Football Federation and the Super Eagles, sponsorship income, player exposure and wider economic benefits associated with World Cup participation.
“We are exploring all our options as a country, and nothing is off the table,” the official added.
Former NFF president Ibrahim Gusau, who was in office when Nigeria lodged its complaint, has also criticised FIFA’s handling of the matter.
Gusau was quoted as accusing FIFA of failing to fully disclose the outcome of its investigation, arguing that the governing body had remained silent despite the seriousness of the issue.
The NFF had earlier indicated that it was appealing FIFA’s rejection of its complaint.
Nigeria’s original protest reportedly went beyond Mpasi, with the federation questioning the eligibility of several DR Congo players and alleging that FIFA might have been provided with misleading information when the players were cleared.
The latest controversy has also brought renewed scrutiny to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, although there is no evidence in the reports that he personally ordered the rejection of Nigeria’s case or participated in the decision.
Questions have nevertheless been raised over Infantino’s long-standing professional relationship with Véron Mosengo-Omba, president of the Congolese football federation.
The pair reportedly studied at university in Switzerland and subsequently worked within European and international football structures.
Reports that FIFA’s internal legal officials identified a problem with Mpasi’s eligibility have consequently intensified calls for greater transparency over how the case was handled.
FIFA, however, insists that its judicial bodies operate independently.
The timing of the controversy is also significant, as Infantino is expected to meet African football officials in Cape Verde amid efforts to secure support ahead of the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March.
With 54 member associations, Africa represents a significant voting bloc in FIFA politics.
The handling of Nigeria’s complaint has also prompted comparisons with previous FIFA eligibility cases.
In one recent example, South Africa forfeited a 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho after fielding suspended midfielder Teboho Mokoena.
Bolivia also forfeited two 2018 World Cup qualifying matches after defender Nelson Cabrera was ruled ineligible.
The cases have raised a fundamental question over the consistency with which FIFA applies its eligibility regulations.
For Nigeria, the controversy goes beyond the disappointment of missing the 2026 World Cup.
The Super Eagles’ elimination cannot now be reversed by simply replaying the play-off, but the new revelations could provide grounds for the NFF and the National Sports Commission to seek a fresh review of FIFA’s handling of the complaint.
The authorities could also explore possible financial claims arising from Nigeria’s absence from the tournament.
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