Investigations by Le Monde and The New York Times reportedly revealed that FIFA’s legal team determined that Mpasi, who holds both French and Congolese nationality, had not completed the required process to switch his international allegiance to DR Congo.
Mpasi, who was born in Meaux, France, to Congolese parents, became provisionally cap-tied to France after featuring for the country in an Under-17 European Championship qualifier against Serbia in June 2011.
The development reportedly came to light after the NFF formally challenged the eligibility of several DR Congo players following the Super Eagles’ penalty shootout defeat to the Leopards in the African playoff final in November 2025.
Nigeria had raised concerns over the nationality status and passport records of multiple DR Congo players as part of its objection.
Despite the discovery concerning Mpasi’s eligibility, FIFA reportedly imposed no disciplinary sanction on DR Congo, allowing the Leopards to proceed to the intercontinental playoff against Jamaica.
DR Congo subsequently defeated Jamaica 1-0 after extra time, with Mpasi in goal, to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The FIFA finding has now raised fresh questions over the eligibility of players used by DR Congo during their successful qualifying campaign.
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