{
  "id": 12362535,
  "title": "Gianni Infantino faces fresh World Cup eligibility scandal over goalkeeper who played against England",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/gianni-infantino-faces-fresh-world-cup-eligibility-scandal-over",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T11:07:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/gianni-infantino-faces-fresh-world-110731789.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Fifa lawyer's raised concerns in March that DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi was ineligible to play in the World Cup. Reports in The New York Times and Le Monde explained the lawyers drafted a list of potential sanctions, which included banning Mpasi and disqualifying the African nation from an intercontinental playoff against Jamaica. However, no action was taken, as the goalkeeper went on to represent DR Congo during the tournament, including a last 32 defeat to England. The allegations have prompted scrutiny on Gianni Infantino, the head of FIFA, who has faced scrutiny over his handling of the Balogun case and a plan for private investments in FIFA tournaments.",
  "summary": "Lionel Mpasi faced England at the World Cup, but questions have now been raised over his eligibility",
  "key_points": [
    "Fifa lawyer raised concerns in March about Lionel Mpasi's World Cup eligibility.",
    "Mpasi played for DR Congo in the World Cup, including a last 32 match against England.",
    "Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, faces scrutiny over handling of the Mpasi case."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "World Cup: Fifa finds DR Congo goalkeeper, Mpasi was ineligible to play against Nigeria",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/world-cup-fifa-finds-dr-congo-goalkeeper-mpasi-was-ineligible-to-play",
        "published": "2026-10-06T12:15:37.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}