2026 World Cup Drama: Nigeria Considers Compensation Claim Against FIFA

Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC) is considering seeking compensation from FIFA over the controversy surrounding the eligibility of Democratic Republic of Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

The development follows reports by The New York Times and Le Monde, which cited internal FIFA documents and alleged that the organisation’s own legal officials had determined that Mpasi had not completed the required process to switch his international affiliation from France to DR Congo.

Mpasi, who had represented France at youth level, featured for DR Congo in several World Cup qualifying matches, including the decisive African playoff against Nigeria in November 2025. DR Congo defeated the Super Eagles 4-3 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 following extra time.

According to the reports, FIFA’s legal officials identified the eligibility issue before DR Congo faced Jamaica in the intercontinental playoff but no sporting sanction was imposed, allowing the Congolese side to continue its qualification campaign and eventually reach the World Cup.

A senior NSC official told ESPN that Nigeria had not yet made a final decision on compensation but was considering all available options over the financial consequences of missing the tournament.

“Nothing has been decided yet, but we will seriously consider seeking compensation from FIFA for all of the economic losses this has cost Nigeria,” the official said.

The official listed potential losses including revenue that the Super Eagles and Nigeria Football Federation could have earned from participating at the World Cup, increased exposure for players, potential transfer opportunities, sponsorship income and the wider economic benefits associated with Nigeria’s participation.

“We are exploring all our options as a country and nothing is off the table,” the official added.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the latest development has revived questions over Nigeria’s unsuccessful challenge to DR Congo’s use of Mpasi during the qualifying campaign. The NFF had previously raised concerns over player eligibility, but its complaint was rejected on procedural grounds. FIFA has maintained that its judicial bodies operate independently and determine cases based on applicable regulations and the specific facts presented to them.

The Jamaica Football Federation has also called for player-eligibility matters to be handled consistently and fairly, particularly where such issues could affect the integrity of a competition or the interests of a member association.

The JFF said concerns about eligibility should be thoroughly examined through FIFA’s established governance and disciplinary processes and handled in accordance with due process.

The controversy has intensified scrutiny of FIFA after reports indicated that its legal officials had considered possible remedies, including disciplinary action against DR Congo and the possibility of allowing Nigeria to take part in the intercontinental playoff.

Nigeria’s latest position could therefore open another chapter in the dispute, with the NSC considering whether the financial and sporting consequences of the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup should form the basis of a compensation claim against FIFA.