A top Nigerian National Sports Commission official says Nigeria has been vindicated over their challenge to DR Congo's use of ineligible players in World Cup qualifying and are "exploring all options," including seeking compensation from FIFA for missing the 2026 World Cup. The NSC's position comes after reporting by The New York Times and Le Monde on allegations that FIFA's own legal officials determined DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi was ineligible.
The reports revealed that FIFA lawyers discovered the problem in March, before DR Congo's intercontinental playoff against Jamaica, but no disciplinary action was taken. DR Congo went on to qualify for the World Cup. The Nigerian National Sports Commission official told ESPN that Nigeria will seriously consider seeking compensation from FIFA for all of the economic losses this has cost Nigeria, including revenue from participating at the World Cup and exposure for players.
The Jamaican Football Federation said CONCACAF takes player eligibility matters seriously and expects regulations to be applied consistently and fairly. Any concerns regarding player eligibility should be thoroughly reviewed and addressed through FIFA's governance and disciplinary bodies. There is precedent for FIFA compensating a federation following a disputed World Cup elimination, as seen in the case of the Football Association of Ireland, which received €5 million after Ireland threatened legal action following its elimination by France in qualification for the 2010 World Cup.
Nigeria's potential case would be different because its argument centres on FIFA's administration and enforcement of its own eligibility regulations. The NFF first raised eligibility concerns after DR Congo eliminated the Super Eagles from the African World Cup playoffs in November. The teams drew 1-1 after extra time before DR Congo won 4-3 on penalties. The original complaint was wider than the issue subsequently discovered with Mpasi, with the NFF alleging that several DR Congo players were improperly cleared by FIFA.
Then-NFF president Ibrahim Gusau said at the time that FIFA had been misled when approving the players. The NSC official said the Mpasi revelations supported Nigeria's argument that FIFA should have investigated the eligibility questions regardless of the procedural status of Nigeria's correspondence. Nigeria has been vindicated, the official said, and the issue of filing late did not arise.
The NSC official said Nigeria will be seeking for FIFA to review the case because the case is about fraud and fraud does not have a time limit for punishment. DR Congo should be made to face consequences for what they have done, to serve as a lesson to others who may want to try the same thing in future. Bolivia forfeited two 2018 World Cup qualifiers for fielding Nelson Cabrera, and Greece was sanctioned in 2016 for fielding Apostolos Giannou without completing his change of association from Australia.
In addition to potentially demanding compensation, Nigeria now wants FIFA to reopen the DR Congo case. The Nigerian National Sports Commission official argued that the latest evidence raises questions that extend beyond just the procedural handling of the NFF's original petition. Nigeria's case highlights the importance of strict enforcement of eligibility regulations in football.
Key points
- Nigeria considers seeking compensation from FIFA for missing the 2026 World Cup due to DR Congo's use of ineligible players.
- DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi was found to be ineligible due to incomplete change of international association from France.
- Nigeria wants FIFA to reopen the DR Congo case and take disciplinary action for fielding ineligible players.
