FIFA have ordered Equatorial Guinea to forfeit their first two matches in the 2026 Men’s World Cup qualifiers and pay a fine of 150,000 Swiss francs after finding that their captain Emilio NSUE is ineligible to represent the nation. The result overturns two wins in CAF Group H. This is the second time that Nsue has been declared ineligible to compete for Eq Guinea in Men’s World Cup qualifiers.

In NOV 2023, Eq Guinea won their first two Group H matches, over Namibia at home and Liberia away. In both matches, Nsue scored the only goal. However, the FIFA disciplinary committee has now found that Nsue was not eligible to represent Eq Guinea. As such, both matches have become 3-0 forfeit losses.

In addition, Nsue has been banned from playing any international matches for the next six months. The decisions are subject to appeal.

Nsue played for Spain at youth level, but first played at the senior level for Eq Guinea in two matches in the 2014 Men’s World Cup qualifiers. FIFA later ruled him ineligible to represent Eq Guinea and awarded both matches by forfeiture. In neither case did FIFA make public the reason for his ineligibility.