Nigeria Considers FIFA Compensation Over DR Congo Player Eligibility Dispute

Posted : 07 October 2026

Nigeria is considering further legal action against FIFA after fresh reports revealed that the governing body's legal officials had identified an eligibility issue involving DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. The development has revived the Super Eagles' complaint over their elimination from the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Nigeria lost to DR Congo in the African play-off final in November 2025. The match ended 1-1 after extra time before DR Congo won 4-3 on penalties, with Mpasi playing throughout the contest.

Reports by The New York Times and Le Monde, based on internal FIFA documents, indicate that FIFA lawyers later determined that Mpasi had not completed the required process to switch his international affiliation from France to DR Congo. Mpasi had previously represented France at youth level.

The reports also suggest that FIFA considered several possible responses to the eligibility issue. These reportedly included awarding the match to Nigeria, imposing sanctions on DR Congo, replacing DR Congo with Nigeria in the intercontinental play-off against Jamaica, or dismissing the case because of procedural concerns surrounding Nigeria's complaint.

FIFA ultimately did not impose a sporting sanction that prevented DR Congo from continuing its qualification campaign. DR Congo went on to defeat Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off and secure a place at the 2026 World Cup.

The latest revelations have prompted Nigerian officials to examine their options. A senior National Sports Commission official told ESPN that the country could consider seeking compensation for the economic and sporting losses linked to missing the tournament.

Potential losses include World Cup participation revenue, sponsorship opportunities, commercial exposure and the increased visibility that comes with appearing at football's biggest international tournament. The official stressed that no final decision had been made.

Nigeria may also seek a fresh review of the eligibility case. The National Sports Commission has argued that the newly reported FIFA findings could provide grounds for reopening a matter that was previously rejected on procedural grounds.

The controversy has also attracted attention from Jamaica. CONCACAF has said player eligibility matters should be thoroughly reviewed and handled through FIFA's established governance and disciplinary procedures.

For Nigeria, the dispute has reopened the circumstances surrounding a costly World Cup qualification failure. The authorities must now determine whether the newly reported documents provide sufficient grounds for another challenge and whether compensation can realistically be pursued through FIFA's legal and disciplinary structures.

Nigeria Considers FIFA Compensation Over DR Congo Player Eligibility Dispute

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