Equatorial Guinea’s appeal to overturn a points deduction due to fielding an ineligible player, Emilio Nsue, in 2026 World Cup qualifying matches has been rejected by CAS. The decision significantly hinders their chances of reaching the tournament.
Equatorial Guinea’s bid to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup has suffered a significant blow as their appeal against a points deduction has been rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The decision centers around the eligibility of Emilio Nsue, the team’s star striker, who played in two qualifying wins against Namibia and Liberia in November 2023.
FIFA initially awarded 3-0 technical victories to Namibia and Liberia after determining that Nsue was ineligible to represent Equatorial Guinea. This ruling came as a surprise to many, given Nsue’s long-standing presence in the national team and his recent success as the golden boot winner at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
FIFA’s investigation revealed that Nsue had never formally received clearance to switch his international allegiance from Spain, where he had previously represented the nation at youth levels. Despite having a father from Equatorial Guinea and possessing the country’s passport, the necessary paperwork for the transfer hadn’t been completed, rendering him ineligible according to FIFA’s regulations.
While FIFA later cleared Nsue to play for Equatorial Guinea in March 2024, citing the country’s constitutional provision that grants citizenship to individuals born to a parent from Equatorial Guinea, CAS ruled that the initial points deduction would stand. The appeal was deemed inadmissible due to a procedural oversight – the failure to include the football associations of Namibia and Liberia as co-respondents in the appeal process.
FIFA argued that the Namibian and Liberian FAs had a direct stake in the outcome of the case and their views needed to be considered. CAS agreed, stating that the appeal was directed solely at FIFA and therefore incomplete. This technicality proved fatal to Equatorial Guinea’s hopes of reclaiming the lost points.
The loss of these six points significantly impacts Equatorial Guinea’s chances of qualifying for their first-ever World Cup. They now trail Namibia by four points in Group H, with only two qualifying matches remaining. While a continental play-off spot remains within reach, their path to the tournament has become considerably more challenging.
The situation highlights the complexities of international football eligibility rules and the importance of meticulous administrative procedures. Equatorial Guinea’s federation (Feguifut) had argued that the procedural error should not invalidate their case, but CAS remained firm in its decision.
Feguifut had presented evidence to FIFA demonstrating that Nsue had always been eligible to play for Equatorial Guinea, pointing to his possession of the country’s passport and the constitutional provision regarding citizenship. They also argued that FIFA’s initial ruling in 2013, which deemed him ineligible, was incorrect. However, CAS maintained that the fact that Equatorial Guinea fielded Nsue on over 40 occasions without official FIFA clearance meant that the points deduction was justified, and the decision had no retroactive effect.
The ruling is a bitter disappointment for Equatorial Guinea, who had pinned their hopes on Nsue’s goals and experience to lead them to the World Cup. The 35-year-old forward has become a national hero in the country, and his eligibility saga has captivated football fans across Africa.
The remaining matches in Group H will be crucial as Equatorial Guinea, Malawi, and Liberia battle for the second qualifying spot. Namibia has already secured the automatic berth for the 2026 finals. The group stage concludes next month, with the winner of the continental play-offs earning a place in a final inter-confederation qualifier in March next year.
This case serves as a cautionary tale for national football associations, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to FIFA’s regulations and the importance of proper documentation when dealing with player eligibility issues. The dream of a first World Cup appearance for Equatorial Guinea now hangs in the balance, a victim of a technicality and a long-standing administrative oversight.
