Infantino faces fresh questions over Congolese goalkeeper’s eligibility

A “new embarrassment” for Gianni Infantino: the FIFA president is facing fresh questions over a disciplinary case linked to the 2026 World Cup, this time involving the Democratic Republic of the Congo goalkeeper.

The dispute concerns Mbasi in particular. Having represented France at youth level, his eligibility to play for the senior team was challenged. The events date back to November 2025. After the Democratic Republic of the Congo lost on penalties in the African play-off final, the Nigerian Football Federation lodged a protest and called for the Congolese side to be sanctioned. It cited irregularities relating to players’ nationality and documents.

FIFA initially found no violation warranting a sanction. Its legal team later reviewed the case again after the federation submitted a follow-up request in March 2026, and found Mbasi ineligible. No action was taken, however: Mbasi continued to play for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and took part with the team in the World Cup in North America.

FIFA said that eligibility concerns capable of affecting a competition’s integrity or the interests of a member federation must be thoroughly examined and handled by its competent bodies, in line with the regulations and due-process guarantees. The case adds to the questions already surrounding Infantino, including those following the controversy over Folarin Balogun and the lifting of his one-match suspension, which allowed him to play against Belgium in the round of 16.