Gianni Infantino is facing fresh scrutiny after it emerged that FIFA knowingly permitted an ineligible player to represent DR Congo in a critical World Cup qualifier.
Congo made a significant impression at the summer's World Cup, advancing to the knockout stages where they pushed England hard in a competitive 2-1 comeback victory for Thomas Tuchel's side in the Round of 32. One of their standout performers in that match was goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who now finds himself at the center of an eligibility controversy.
As first reported by The New York Times , FIFA was aware that Congo had failed to complete the necessary paperwork for Mpasi to switch his international allegiance from France to the African nation prior to their World Cup qualification play-off victory over Jamaica in March.
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The matter had been formally raised by Nigeria, who had been eliminated by Congo in the preceding round. FIFA acknowledged the validity of the ineligibility claims, yet chose not to impose any punishment, such as a fine, or reinstate Nigeria in Congo's place to face Jamaica.
While FIFA president Infantino had no direct personal involvement in the ruling, it represents yet another addition to an ever-growing list of controversies surrounding the World Cup. Donald Trump's interference in overturning U.S. Men's National Team striker Folarin Balogun's red card , combined with Infantino's attempts to sell off stakes in the World Cup , have placed him under considerable pressure ahead of his bid for another presidential term, as per The Mirror .
Nigeria and Jamaica are now weighing their options after missing out on World Cup qualification. "Nothing has been decided yet, but we will seriously consider seeking compensation from FIFA for all of the economic losses this has cost Nigeria," an official from the Nigerian National Sports Commission (NSC) told ESPN .
"The revenue that the Super Eagles and the NFF would have received from participating at the World Cup, the exposure that players would have got, transfers, the sponsorship fees, even the boost to the Nigerian economy. We are exploring all our options as a country and nothing is off the table."
The Jamaican Football Federation (JFF) responded, stating: "CONCACAF takes player eligibility matters very seriously and expects the applicable regulations and procedures to be applied consistently and fairly in all competitions.
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"Any concerns regarding player eligibility, particularly those that may affect the integrity of a competition or the interests of one of our member associations, should be thoroughly reviewed and addressed through FIFA's appropriate governance and disciplinary bodies, in accordance with established regulations and due process."
Mpasi, 32, was born in France and represented his home nation at youth level before switching his allegiance to Congo. He featured in all four of Congo's matches at the World Cup as they advanced through Group K by drawing with Portugal and defeating Uzbekistan, before being eliminated by Harry Kane's two late goals for England in the Round of 32.
The Le Havre goalkeeper made 12 appearances for French youth teams prior to his switch to Congo. He made his international debut in 2022 and has accumulated 33 caps, despite Congo officials failing to complete the necessary paperwork to ratify his switch.
FIFA stated that Nigeria's complaint had been dismissed because it arrived too late, adding that "committees are autonomous and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them."
Infantino is desperately attempting to maintain his position at the helm of world football's governing body amid a campaign to remove him, spearheaded by UEFA . The Swiss official will likely require the backing of African nations if he is to weather the growing tide of opposition against him in the FIFA presidential election in March.
