Fifa allowed the Democratic Republic of Congo to qualify for the 2026 World Cup despite being aware that a key player was ineligible. The global governing body is said to have known goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi did not meet eligibility rules during key qualifying matches.
Mpasi, who plays for French club Rodez, featured in decisive qualifiers against Senegal and South Africa. The 29-year-old was reportedly ineligible because he had not completed the necessary process to switch his international allegiance from France, where he was born, to DR Congo. An internal Fifa report is understood to have highlighted this issue before the World Cup draw was made.
Governing body aware
Despite the findings, Fifa took no action to disqualify the Congolese team. The governing body has not publicly commented on the specific allegations. DR Congo secured their place at the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico by finishing second in their African qualifying group.
Their qualification was sealed with a 1-0 victory over South Africa in June 2025, a match in which Mpasi played. The alleged oversight means a nation that may have been excluded on a technicality will now compete on football's biggest stage next year.
Potential consequences
The revelation raises questions about the consistency of Fifa's eligibility enforcement. Other nations have been disqualified from tournaments for similar registration errors in the past. There is no indication that the situation will be revisited, meaning DR Congo's historic qualification is expected to stand. The team is preparing for their first World Cup appearance since 1974. Leyton Orient, who are second in League One, continue their campaign with an away fixture against Bradford City on Saturday.
Background and full detail: The Guardian
