[REVISION HISTORY]

DR Congo football nationality switches and AFCON prep

Updated 20 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-08 10:36 UTC → 2026-10-09 17:58 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to integrate young talent through nationality switches. Coach Sébastien Desabre has clarified the status of defender Jorthy Mokio, who faces a mandatory three-year waiting period until 2028 due to FIFA regulations following his appearance for Belgium. In October 2026, the senior national team participated in a friendly double-header in Johannesburg. After a 0-2 defeat to Uganda, the Leopards secured a 1-1 draw in their second match at the FNB Stadium, with Nathanaël Mbuku scoring for the DRC before James Bogere equalized for Uganda in the 91st minute. Beyond the senior team, the DRC U23 squad is preparing for a 2027 AFCON qualification match against Mauritania. Following a first-leg loss in Nouakchott, midfielder Noah Makanza expressed confidence in a comeback in Lubumbashi. Historical data also shows a competitive rivalry between the DRC and Equatorial Guinea ahead of their upcoming 2027 AFCON qualifying fixtures. Simultaneously, the national team faces scrutiny regarding player eligibility. Investigations by The New York Times and Le Monde have revealed a scandal involving FIFA and the DR Congo regarding the eligibility of goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi during the 2026 World Cup. Mpasi, born in France and a former French youth international, reportedly played for the DRC without completing the necessary administrative procedures to change his sporting nationality. Internal documents suggest FIFA was aware of the breach. While legal officials privately determined the eligibility issue, FIFA dismissed a formal complaint from the Nigeria Football Federation on procedural grounds, citing a late submission. This allowed the DRC to proceed to the intercontinental playoff, where they defeated Jamaica to secure their first World Cup appearance in 52 years. In response, Nigeria’s National Sports Commission is exploring options to seek compensation from FIFA for economic losses, including lost revenue and sponsorship fees.

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