While West Ham United duo Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta found themselves at the heart of a couple of international flashpoints, at least FIFA did not have to wade in.

Carlo Ancelotti took responsibility as Lucas Paqueta missed a penalty for Brazil during their 1-1 draw with Tunisia in Lille.

Tomas Soucek’s punishment was meted out by the Czech Football Federation, meanwhile, after the West Ham United midfielder allegedly refused to acknowledge the home fans after a 6-0 thrashing of Gibraltar.

Soucek has lost the captain’s armband as a result. Meaning he will no longer lead out his nation in March’s World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has a play-off to look forward to himself heading into 2026. DR Congo will face either Jamaica or minnows New Caledonia in the spring. A first-ever World Cup spot will be the reward for the victors.

There were a few sneaky suggestions on social media, though, that Wan-Bissaka’s World Cup dream was about to come crashing down in a flurry of red tape.

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Reports emerged, following DR Congo’s penalty shoot-out victory over Nigeria this month, that Wan-Bissaka was not actually eligible to start at right-back for Sebastien Desabre’s side.

The Croydon-born Crystal Palace academy graduate only made his debut for the Leopards in September, having represented England at youth level.

Speaking to BSN Sports, though, a senior FIFA official has now made it clear that such claims are entirely wide of the mark. Moreover, a rumoured complaint by the Nigerian federation is equally non-existent.

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“We have not received any protest or official complaint from any federation,” that FIFA official said. “There is absolutely no discussion regarding DR Congo’s disqualification.

“The player in question [Wan-Bissaka] has been eligible to represent DR Congo prior to the play-off match. On what grounds are these rumours emerging?”

On what grounds, indeed?

Wan-Bissaka had started each of DR Congo’s five internationals before helping to keep a formidable Nigeria frontline of Samu Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen at arm’s length.

BSN were also informed, by an unnamed official, that ‘there is no legal basis for questioning [Wan-Bissaka’s] participation’.

Czech FA confirm Tomas Soucek is no longer the national team captain

Unfortunately for Soucek, the controversy surrounding the former Slavia Prague skipper is unlikely to go away quite so quickly. While he was stripped of the captaincy, Soucek and his old West Ham sparring partner Vladimir Coufal were also both hit with a financial penalty for seemingly turning their back on the Fanatismus Cesko fan group.

“Unfortunately, the players’ attitude completely overshadowed the performance on the pitch and the positive fact of the national team’s qualification for the World Cup play-offs,” read a statement put out by the Czech FA, via their official website.

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“It’s our massive dream because we haven’t been at the World Cup for 20 years.

“It would be a massive thing, especially because we are not England who are going there every four years. We are the Czech Republic, who haven’t been there for 20 years. So, as a captain, this is my priority and my biggest dream that I want to reach.

“Obviously, I have so many dreams for with [West Ham]. But for internationals, I have been to the Euros twice which was nice, but we always go to the Euros. So, as captain, I want to get my country to the World Cup” – Tomas Soucek

“At the same time, fans have every right to express their disagreement with the unsatisfactory performances in recent matches.

“The players’ reaction should have been the opposite. They should have thanked the fans. Not only for the support [against Gibraltar], but also for their long-term and tireless support throughout the entire qualifying cycle after a series of unconvincing performances.

“The FACR Football Association also decided that Tomas Soucek will not lead the team as captain in the next match and the players will not be paid bonuses related to yesterday’s qualifying match. These funds will be donated to help those in need.”