FIFA defaults Equatorial Guinea’s World Cup qualifying wins over same ineligible player as in 2013

Equatorial Guinea has once again faced penalties from FIFA for fielding an ineligible player in the World Cup qualifiers. Emilio Nsue, the national team captain, was deemed ineligible to participate in two crucial matches against Namibia and Liberia during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Despite winning both games 1-0, with Nsue scoring the only goals, FIFA has ruled that Equatorial Guinea must forfeit both victories, marking them as 3-0 losses instead. This ruling effectively eliminates the six points they had gained from these matches, significantly hurting their chances of advancing in the qualifiers.

This is not the first time Nsue has caused eligibility issues for Equatorial Guinea. Back in 2013, during the qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup, Nsue was also ruled ineligible, resulting in similar forfeits. FIFA has not provided explicit reasons for his ineligibility on either occasion, although they confirmed that they were “comfortably satisfied” that Nsue did not meet the necessary eligibility requirements. FIFA’s rules generally allow players to represent a country if they, their parents, or grandparents were born there, or if the player has resided in the country for a set number of years.

In response to this breach, FIFA fined the Equatoguinean Football Federation (FEGUIFUT) 150,000 Swiss francs ($164,000) and imposed a six-month ban on Nsue from international competition. This ruling is particularly disheartening for Nsue, who had recently enjoyed success in the Africa Cup of Nations, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer and winning the Golden Boot.

The forfeits have dropped Equatorial Guinea to the bottom of their qualifying group, seriously jeopardizing their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. They now sit six points behind group leaders Tunisia and Namibia, with only the group winner advancing to the tournament.