Nigeria-DR Congo World Cup Row Deepens Over FIFA’s Handling of Mpasi Protest

RTICLENigeria’s controversy with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) over the 2026 World Cup qualification has taken a fresh turn following new revelations about the Super Eagles’ protest against goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.

Reports based on FIFA documents indicate that the governing body’s legal officials found that Mpasi had not completed the required process to switch his international allegiance from France to DR Congo before representing the country. Mpasi had previously featured for France at youth level.

Nigeria’s complaint followed the Super Eagles’ defeat to DR Congo in the African play-off final in November 2025. The match ended 1-1 after extra time before DR Congo won 4-3 on penalties, ending Nigeria’s route to the intercontinental play-off.

Nigeria subsequently challenged the eligibility of DR Congo players, but FIFA’s disciplinary process rejected the protest on procedural grounds. FIFA has maintained that its decision was communicated to the Nigeria Football Federation in March 2026 and that no proper appeal was lodged within the required period.

A new report has now added another alleged procedural issue. Vanguard, citing a source within Nigeria’s National Sports Commission, reported that FIFA said the NFF sent its petition to the office of the FIFA Secretary General instead of using the designated Legal Portal. The report also said FIFA considered the complaint to have been filed late.

The claim about the filing channel remains attributed to the unnamed NSC source. FIFA’s published procedures indicate that formal disciplinary submissions are required to go through its Legal Portal, but the specific account of how the NFF submitted its complaint has not been independently confirmed by FIFA or the NFF in the reports reviewed.

The latest disclosures have renewed scrutiny of FIFA’s handling of the case, particularly after reports that its own legal officials had identified concerns about Mpasi’s eligibility. FIFA, however, has maintained that there were no eligibility issues affecting DR Congo’s subsequent matches against Jamaica or at the World Cup.

The controversy has also put fresh attention on Nigeria’s options. Reports indicate that the National Sports Commission is considering possible steps in response to the revelations, including the possibility of seeking compensation, although the outcome of any such move remains uncertain.

At the centre of the dispute are two separate questions: whether Mpasi was properly eligible to represent DR Congo at the time of the decisive qualifier, and whether Nigeria followed FIFA’s procedures and deadlines when submitting its protest. The latest reports have intensified debate over both issues, while FIFA’s decision remains the subject of renewed scrutiny.