Who is Lionel Mpasi? Meet DR Congo goalkeeper stunning England in knockout stage

Wednesday’s match for DR Congo was far and away the most important in the history of the national team’s existence.

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Playing in the World Cup’s knockout round for the first time ever, and in just the country’s second appearance in the international tournament, DR Congo was matched up against a tough England squad in the Round of 32. Even after beating Uzbekistan in the group stage, England marked perhaps the toughest opponent yet for DR Congo.

But as the minutes ticked away in Wednesday’s match, DR Congo proved it was going to, at the very least, put a scare in England, partially thanks to some outstanding saves from goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.

Here’s everything to know about Mpasi as he shined on the World Cup stage.

LIVE: Follow updates, highlights from England-DR Congo knockout stage game

Who is Lionel Mpasi?

Mpasi is a 31-year-old goalkeeper for DR Congo’s national team. He was born in Meaux, France, which is in the eastern suburbs of Paris. However, his parents are Congolese — and after playing for France’s youth international teams, Mpasi later decided to represent DR Congo.

Mpasi made his DR Congo debut in a 2022 friendly vs. Bahrain. In 2023, he was selected to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations, becoming the team’s full-time goalkeeper.

At the 2026 World Cup, Mpasi is now making an even bigger name for himself, first helping guide DR Congo past the group stage in just its second-ever tournament appearance. In Group K action, he allowed one goal to Portugal in an upset tie, put up eight saves with one goal allowed vs. Colombia in a 1-0 loss, then had one save and one goal allowed vs. Uzbekistan in a 3-1 win.

On Wednesday, however, Mpasi took his World Cup play to a new level, making multiple huge saves vs. England.

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DR Congo keeper Lionel Mpasi makes ANOTHER save on Jude Bellingham 🧤 pic.twitter.com/76wpskipMd

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 1, 2026

LIONEL MPASI IS A FORCE IN GOAL 🤯

ANOTHER SAVE FROM THE DR CONGO GOALKEEPER TO DENY ENGLAND pic.twitter.com/mN9egaPu5x

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 1, 2026

Lionel Mpasi World Cup history

The 2026 World Cup marks Mpasi’s first appearance in the tournament — he first joined DR Congo’s international squad in 2022, and the country had not appeared in the World Cup since 1974, when it went by the name Zaire.

Mpasi was not yet born the last time DR Congo was on the World Cup stage. 

2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets

Who does Lionel Mpasi play club soccer for?

Mpasi is also a goalkeeper for the Ligue 1 club Le Havre. In 2016, he signed his first professional deal with Toulouse before moving to Rodez, and he made his debut in Ligue 2 in 2020.

More recently, Mpasi inked a two-year contract in July 2025 to join Le Havre. He made his debut for the team in January 2026, facing Rennes in a Ligue 1 match, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Read more England vs. DR Congo live score, result, highlights from 2026 World Cup knockout game