Fifteen years ago, Lionel Mpasi travelled to Mexico to play for France at the FIFA U-17 World Cup™. The journey ended in the quarter-finals for Les Bleuets, but the experience left an indelible mark on the young goalkeeper.

Mpasi, who now wears the shirt of Congo DR, returned to North America this week as a far more experienced player. With the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Play-Off Tournament fast approaching, the focus is no longer on gaining experience, but securing a place on football’s biggest stage.

To get there, Sebastien Desabre’s men will need to see off the winner of the match between Jamaica and New Caledonia in their tie on March 31, 2026.

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The 31-year-old, who plies his trade for Le Havre AC, spoke about his preparations for this crucial encounter, his role with the Leopards and the significance of a match that could etch his name into the history of an entire country.

Lionel Mpasi: "I can’t wait! Until now, I’ve been focused on my matches with Le Havre, but from the moment I arrive in Mexico, the excitement will only grow. For a match like this, you don’t need any extra motivation."

You are going to face the winner of the match between Jamaica and New Caledonia. Have you already started studying these two teams?

A few of us are in a Snapchat group and Cedric (Bakambu, Congo DR forward) sent us highlights from Jamaica v Nigeria (a friendly match on 31 May 2025 which ended with a win for Nigeria on penalties). As Nigeria is a team we know well, it was a useful point of reference. We haven’t seen as much of New Caledonia, but I think the main thing will be to focus on ourselves. We certainly have a lot of tactical work to do when we’re there.

What sort of match are you expecting?

It’s inevitably going to be tough. Even though we are above both nations on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, anything can happen on the pitch. I think it will be similar to when we lost to Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations, a tight game decided by small details.

You narrowly missed out on automatic qualification, finishing two points behind Senegal. How did you manage to bounce back and reach these play-offs?

With dedication and hard work. We’ve been through two phases of qualifiers, and we were first in our group for a long time, but we missed out on qualifying directly in our second match against Senegal (a 3-2 defeat). We were disappointed, but we knew our path to the World Cup would be difficult, not impossible. We beat Cameroon and then Nigeria, so now we are just one step away from the World Cup. You always have to believe.

Against Nigeria, you handed over the gloves to your team-mate Timothy Fayulu for the penalty shootout. Can you explain that decision?

The day before the match against Nigeria, we had a penalty session, as we always do, and Timothy saved quite a few. He was performing well. I knew that if we called on him, he would be ready. I had a feeling during the match so I asked him if he wanted to face the penalties. He just said, 'let’s go', so I knew it was how it should be.

Sebastien Desabre trusts you as his No1, even though you are second in the pecking order at club level. Does that put you in a strange situation?

It’s a great challenge for me! I tell myself that I work hard every day with a Ligue 1 squad so I am ready when I am called upon. Things have been going really well this season at Le Havre. The competition is fierce. Sebastien could be worried as I haven’t played many first-team games, but he has put his faith in me and I repay him by staying ready.

Congo DR haven’t taken part in the World Cup since their first ever appearance in 1974. What would it mean to you personally to compete in this tournament?

Playing in the World Cup after 52 years would be historic for the country. We know that everyone is eager for us to make it and as a player, it would be the pinnacle of my career. If I get the chance to play in a World Cup, having made it to the highest level in France and getting my first minutes in Ligue 1 this year, then I could say that I’ve done everything I wanted to in football. If I reflect on everything I’ve been through, I have a lot to be proud of.

Finally, what are your memories of your first time on Mexican soil at the U-17 World Cup in 2011?

At the time, we were 17 years old, but we felt like adults. We received an incredible welcome at the airport and the stadiums were packed. I remember the final, it was Mexico v Uruguay. Mexico won the World Cup on home soil, and did so at [Mexico City Stadium], where Diego Maradona scored the ‘Hand of God’. And the stadium was full, packed to the rafters, even for a youth World Cup.

At the time, there were guys like Yassine Benzia, Kurt Zouma and Sebastien Haller. And then you had Raheem Sterling playing for England. We lost to Mexico in the quarter-finals in an unbelievable atmosphere. It inevitably leaves a mark on your career. It’s these moments that you want to relive. No matter what happens, that country will always hold a special place in my heart.

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