FIFA has reportedly cited the use of an incorrect email address as one of the technical grounds for dismissing Nigeria’s complaint over the alleged use of an ineligible player by the Democratic Republic of Congo during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoffs.
Nigeria had challenged the eligibility of several DR Congo players, including goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, after the Leopards defeated the Super Eagles 4–3 on penalties following a 1–1 draw in the African playoff final in November 2025.
Recent reports, including findings attributed to The New York Times, indicated that FIFA officials had concerns about Mpasi’s international eligibility. Mpasi, who was born in France and represented the country at youth level, reportedly had not completed the required process to switch his international allegiance to DR Congo.
However, FIFA dismissed Nigeria’s protest on procedural grounds. According to a source at the National Sports Commission (NSC), one of the reasons given was that the NFF sent its petition to the office of FIFA’s General Secretary instead of submitting it through the appropriate legal portal. FIFA also reportedly considered the complaint to have been filed outside the required timeframe.
The NSC has criticised the explanation, arguing that correspondence and petitions are ordinarily routed through the FIFA General Secretary’s office before being directed to the relevant department. The development has further intensified scrutiny of FIFA’s handling of Nigeria’s complaint.
Nigeria’s failure to overturn the decision meant DR Congo retained its place in the intercontinental playoff, where it defeated Jamaica to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. FIFA has maintained that there were no eligibility issues affecting DR Congo’s matches at the tournament and that the NFF’s protest was ruled inadmissible.
The controversy has now renewed calls for greater transparency over FIFA’s handling of player-eligibility cases, while Nigerian football authorities consider their next steps over the matter.
