World football governing body FIFA allegedly knew that DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau was not eligible to feature against Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifying play-off but declined to sanction the country, according to The New York Times.
The newspaper reported on Tuesday that documents in its possession indicated that Mpasi-Nzau had yet to complete the formal process required to change his international allegiance from France to DR Congo when he played against Nigeria.
The goalkeeper featured for the entire 120 minutes of the November 2025 encounter, which ended 1-1 before DR Congo prevailed 4-3 on penalties to secure a place in the intercontinental play-off.
Nigeria challenged Mpasi-Nzau's eligibility in a complaint submitted to FIFA, hoping the result would be overturned and the Super Eagles given a route back into the World Cup qualification race.
FIFA rejected the protest on technical grounds, reportedly citing the timing of Nigeria's complaint.
The decision ultimately stood, leaving Nigeria to miss the World Cup for a second consecutive edition.
But The New York Times said its review of documents showed that the FIFA committee handling the case had considered a recommendation to award the match to Nigeria.
Such a ruling would have sent the Super Eagles into the intercontinental play-off, where they would have faced Jamaica.
The committee also considered dismissing the matter on the basis that Nigeria had lodged its protest after the deadline.
Former Nigeria Football Federation president Ibrahim Gusau claimed FIFA did not provide the Nigerian federation with the full details behind its decision.
“They just kept quiet, and they can’t tell anyone because they know it’s going to be a serious crisis for them,” Gusau said.
The report also suggested that sporting considerations were not the only issue surrounding the case.
It alleged that sanctioning DR Congo could have strained the relationship between FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Véron Mosengo-Omba, who heads the DR Congo football federation.
Mosengo-Omba was elected president of the federation two months after DR Congo secured its qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
The latest revelation adds to the controversies surrounding FIFA and Infantino, who has faced opposition from some football federations following his efforts to secure investment in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
Infantino is scheduled to engage African football officials in Cape Verde this week, with the FIFA president expected to seek support for his re-election bid.
Africa, with 54 votes, represents a major voting bloc in FIFA elections, behind only UEFA's 55 member associations.
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