Ruling
Gianni Infantino faces fresh World Cup eligibility scandal over goalkeeper who played against England
Summarised by MatchPal
FIFA lawyers reportedly knew in March that DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi was ineligible but took no action before he played against England at the World Cup.
Gianni Infantino faces fresh scrutiny after reports that FIFA lawyers identified DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi as allegedly ineligible in March, drawing up possible sanctions including a ban and disqualification from the intercontinental play-off against Jamaica. No action was taken, and Mpasi went on to play in DR Congo's 2-1 defeat by England in the World Cup last 32. The reports add to pressure on Infantino following the Folarin Balogun disciplinary case, where US President Donald Trump admitted calling the FIFA president to review a sanction.
Summary by MatchPal from the original report at independent.co.uk. Reporting and images belong to the source.
In this story
Clubs
People
L. Mpasi-Nzau
F. Balogun
Reports on this story
UK times- Voetbal International
- The Independent
- Kicker
- Mundo Deportivo
- talkSPORT
- FIFA knew DR Congo goalkeeper was ineligible for World CupVoetbal International
- Scandal: FIFA allegedly concealed DR Congo's ineligible goalkeeperMundo Deportivo
- Gianni Infantino faces fresh World Cup eligibility scandal over goalkeeper who played against EnglandThe IndependentThis article
- World Cup star who faced England was deemed ineligible before tournamenttalkSPORT
- Uproar over Mpasi's World Cup participation: Is FIFA facing another scandal?Kicker
Next on TV
UK times
Ligue 1 · Matchweek 10
Le Havre v 
LorientSun, 8 Nov 2026
