JFF boss not staying quiet - Ricketts will write to FIFA over DR Congo ineligibility for World Cup play-offs

President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Michael Ricketts, is poised to challenge football’s world governing body, FIFA, following reports that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) fielded an ineligible player in the Intercontinental Play-off that ended Jamaica’s World Cup hopes in March.

That result not only ended the Reggae Boyz’ campaign, but also cost the country a potential windfall of more than $1 billion that could have come from a second World Cup appearance.

The timing of the revelation is also significant, coming less than two weeks after FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s high-profile visit to Jamaica.

Speaking with The Gleaner, Ricketts confirmed that he is aware of the claims and intends to pursue the matter.

“We have taken a decision that we will probably have some discussions with FIFA, trying to ensure that this article has some substance, and then we’ll take it from there,” Ricketts said.

“…We are very aware, and again, it just underlines how unfortunate things went for us during this World Cup campaign,” Ricketts told The Gleaner.

“We will be making FIFA aware that we are, in fact, aware and then we’ll take it from there,” the JFF boss added.

Jamaica is not alone in seeking answers. Nigeria’s football federation has already lodged its own complaint with FIFA, questioning whether ineligible players featured in DR Congo’s November play-off victory over the Super Eagles, a match the Nigerians lost on penalties.

FIFA rejected that complaint, citing insufficient evidence and a missed filing deadline.

At the centre of the controversy is Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who previously represented France at the youth level. According to The New York Times, FIFA reportedly determined that Mpasi never completed the formal process required to switch his sporting nationality to DR Congo, a procedural issue that should have rendered him ineligible.

Despite that, DR Congo was allowed to compete in the 2026 World Cup, even though FIFA’s own internal investigation reportedly raised concerns about Mpasi’s eligibility.

Mpasi played the full 90 minutes against the Reggae Boyz in March as DR Congo secured a 1-0 victory to book their place at the World Cup, a qualification that is now under renewed scrutiny.