FIFA is facing another scandal in connection with the DR Congo’s World Cup qualification. Was goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi actually ineligible to play? And what role does President Gianni Infantino play?
Following the “Balogun case”, FIFA and President Gianni Infantino are facing yet another scandal linked to the World Cup. The world governing body is alleged to have failed to exclude the Democratic Republic of the Congo from World Cup qualifying despite confirmed doubts over a national team player’s eligibility to play. This was reported by the New York Times and Le Monde on Tuesday, citing internal FIFA documents and correspondence. Le Monde described it as a “delicate matter that FIFA had covered up for political reasons”.
According to the reports, legal experts at the world governing body found during an investigation that the paperwork for goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi’s change of association had not been finalised. Mpasi had previously played for French youth national teams. According to the reports, FIFA considered several options, ranging from a fine to the exclusion of the DR Congo from the World Cup play-offs. Ultimately, none of these measures were implemented.
What role does Infantino play?
The investigation was triggered by a complaint from the Nigerian Football Association. FIFA stated that it had rejected this complaint on formal grounds. The DR Congo had qualified for the play-off tournament by beating Nigeria and secured their World Cup place by defeating Jamaica.
The New York Times established a link between Infantino and the current head of the national football association. Veron Mosengo-Omba, reportedly an ally of the Swiss official, was preparing his candidacy for the top post at the association at the time of the investigation and was elected following qualification for the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
FIFA initially did not respond to an enquiry from the SID on this matter. However, the world governing body told the New York Times that its committees were “autonomous and decide on cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts of each case”. Infantino, who is reliant on support from Africa for his re-election in 2027 amidst the power struggle, has no influence over such decisions.
The Balogun case also caused quite a stir
During the World Cup, the lifting of the ban on US striker Folarin Balogun had sparked massive criticism. US President Donald Trump had, by his own account, phoned Infantino in the run-up to the round of 16 match against Belgium (1–4) and asked for a review of Balogun’s red card suspension. The sanction was indeed lifted. FIFA insisted that its Disciplinary Committee had reached its decision independently.