Infantino faces fresh eligibility scandal after FIFA lawyers 'knew Mpasi was ineligible' before World Cup

Gianni Infantino is facing fresh scrutiny after reports emerged that FIFA lawyers identified DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi as allegedly ineligible as far back as March, yet no action was taken before he played against England at the 2026 World Cup.

According to investigations by The New York Times and Le Monde, FIFA’s legal team drew up a list of possible sanctions in March — including banning Mpasi and disqualifying DR Congo from their intercontinental play-off against Jamaica — but those measures were never enforced. Mpasi subsequently represented DR Congo at the finals in North America and featured in his side’s 2-1 last-32 defeat by England.

The reports add to a growing list of governance concerns surrounding Infantino. They follow the controversy over United States striker Folarin Balogun, who was sent off and handed a one-match ban during the tournament, only for FIFA’s disciplinary committee to suspend that sanction — allowing him to play in the last-16 tie against Belgium. US President Donald Trump later acknowledged he had personally called Infantino to request a review of the punishment, raising widespread concerns about political interference within the governing body. FIFA denied any intervention by Infantino in that case and maintained its disciplinary committee operates independently.

FIFA has been approached for comment on the Mpasi and DR Congo reports. CONCACAF, the confederation representing Jamaica — DR Congo’s opponents in the intercontinental play-off — issued a statement saying it “takes player eligibility matters very seriously” and expects regulations to be “applied consistently and fairly in all competitions.” The Confederation of African Football has also been contacted.

The Norwegian football federation has separately filed formal complaints with FIFA’s ethics committee and its governance, audit and compliance committee. Those complaints cover the Balogun disciplinary case, a controversial plan for private investment in a commercial vehicle to run FIFA tournaments including the men’s and women’s World Cups, and the awarding of the FIFA Peace Prize to President Trump last year.

The accumulation of unresolved disciplinary and governance questions is intensifying pressure on Infantino at a moment when FIFA’s credibility as an impartial regulator is already under significant scrutiny.