DR Congo returned after 52 years, drew with Portugal and led England. Their goalkeeper's eligibility is now the story.
DR Congo's first World Cup since 1974 brought a draw with Portugal and a scare for England — and the goalkeeper at the centre of it is now the subject of a FIFA eligibility dispute.
DR Congo had waited since 1974, when the country was known as Zaire, for a second World Cup. They got one in June, and it lasted four matches. 1
They drew 1-1 with Portugal in Houston, Yoane Wissa heading in their first World Cup goal. A 1-0 defeat by Colombia left them needing to beat Uzbekistan. 2
They won 3-1 and went through as one of the best third-placed teams. In Atlanta they led England until the 75th, when Harry Kane scored twice in a 2-1 England win. 34
Their goalkeeper kept it close. Lionel Mpasi, 31, made five saves against England and eight against Colombia. 5
Mpasi was born in France and played for France at under-17 level. On 6 October, The New York Times and Le Monde reported that FIFA's lawyers found in March he had never completed his change of association, and that no action followed. 67
FIFA denies it. It says there were no eligibility issues for the Jamaica play-off or the World Cup, and that its disciplinary committee ruled Nigeria's protest inadmissible. 6
The team
Sébastien Desabre, a Frenchman in his 11th African coaching job, took over in August 2022 and built the side from the back. 8
Under him they have kept 29 clean sheets in 57 games and almost never lose by more than a goal with their Europe-based players available. 8
Captain Chancel Mbemba, 31, is their most-capped player. Wissa scored three group-stage goals, Cédric Bakambu, 35, is still their sharpest striker, and Noah Sadiki, 21, carries the ball from Sunderland's midfield. 8
Desabre opened with a back five, then switched to a 4-4-2 to beat Uzbekistan. All but six of the squad were born in Europe. 8
World Cup history
As Zaire, DR Congo were the first team from sub-Saharan Africa to reach a World Cup, in 1974. They lost all three games without scoring, 9-0 to Yugoslavia among them. 1
Their right-back, Mwepu Ilunga, once charged out of a wall to boot Brazil's free-kick upfield, protesting at unpaid bonuses under President Mobutu's threat of exile. 8
What comes next
Nigeria, beaten by DR Congo on penalties in the African play-off final last November, says it feels vindicated and is weighing a compensation claim. 9
Jamaica and Concacaf, whose member lost the intercontinental play-off, want the question reviewed through FIFA's disciplinary bodies. 9
FIFA has acted before: Bolivia forfeited two 2018 qualifiers and Greece were given a 3-0 defeat in 2016. 9
FIFA's council meets in Zurich on 15 October, three weeks after its president, Gianni Infantino, proposed a review of how FIFA makes decisions. 10
Quote of the Day
"I'm just proud — proud of my country, proud of my team. We fight until the end of the game." — Lionel Mpasi, DR Congo's goalkeeper, after the England defeat 5
References
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- 3Congo DR 3-1 Uzbekistan | BBC Sport
bbc.co.uk
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