FIFA president Gianni Infantino faces new allegations regarding his involvement in DR Congo securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
Nigeria Challenges World Cup Qualification Over Player Eligibility
The controversy stems from November 2025, shortly after the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Nigeria in a penalty shootout following a 1–1 draw in the final of the African playoffs. Following the match, the Nigerian Football Federation formally contested the eligibility of several Congolese players, pointing to issues concerning their nationalities and passports. The NFF demanded a victory by forfeit under the governing body’s disciplinary code. When initial inquiries went unanswered, Nigerian football authorities renewed their petition with the organization in March 2026.
Legal Questions Surround Lionel Mpasi’s Status
During the renewed review, legal teams within the governing body identified complications regarding Lionel Mpasi. The 32-year-old goalkeeper holds dual French and Congolese citizenship. Although he had represented the Congolese national team since 2022, he previously played for French youth national teams and had not completed the formal administrative procedures required to switch his federal affiliation. Under Article 19 of the disciplinary code, fielding a player declared ineligible following an official protest should result in a forfeit defeat and a fine of at least 6,000 Swiss francs, according to reporting by Le Monde.
Recourse Rejected Due to Formalities and Deadlines
Despite precedents in similar cases that led to team sanctions, the governing body dismissed the Nigerian complaint as inadmissible on formal and procedural grounds. Consequently, the DR Congo national team advanced to face Jamaica in the intercontinental playoff in March, securing a 1–0 victory in extra time with Mpasi starting in goal to book their ticket to the tournament. Officials maintained that the disciplinary committee operated independently and applied existing regulations correctly, denying that Gianni Infantino played any part in the outcome.
NFF Alleges Infantino Intervened to Protect Political Alliances
The Nigerian Football Federation disputes that narrative, alleging that Infantino intervened behind the scenes to ensure DR Congo qualified rather than Nigeria. According to the federation, the leadership aimed to protect key alliances ahead of the upcoming presidential election, particularly within African nations where millions in investments have been disbursed in recent years. A former Cameroonian member of FIFA, Prince Zul, supported these claims, stating that excluding DR Congo would have damaged relationships crucial to maintaining support across the continent.
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