Equatorial Guinea released a statement after the Court of Arbitration for Sports upheld the six-point penalty from FIFA for fielding an ineligible player.

Emilio Nsue played in the first two matchdays of the CAF qualifying series of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Liberia and Namibia, which they won 1-0.

According to CAF Online, FIFA ratified Nsue's nationality switch in March 2025, thus making him ineligible for the matches in which he participated.

FIFA immediately hit the National Thunder with a six-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player, which the country's federation appealed.

CAS upheld the decision, and Nsue, who has been playing for Equatorial Guinea and won AFCON 2023 Golden Boot, was deemed ineligible for all matches before March 2025.

FEGUIFUT reacts to CAS ruling

The outcome of the appeal has impacted Equatorial Guinea's chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a situation confirmed after losing 1-0 to Tunisia.

Tunisia has picked up the automatic ticket in Group H after seven wins and one draw and are yet to concede in the qualifying series, but the playoffs spot remains open.

The central Africans stood a chance at the playoffs with a possible 22 points if they won their final group games and FIFA did not deduct their six points.

The Equatorial Guinea Football Federation (FEGUIFUT) published an official statement confirming the end of their qualifying journey.

“This dream is now definitively over; the Equatorial Guinean national team has definitively said goodbye to its chances of participating in the next edition of the 2026 World Cup,” the statement reads.

“FIFA's penalty to our National Team, deducting a total of 6 points due to the issue of Emilio Nsue's eligibility, was the beginning of a path that only allowed victories to have a chance of going to the 2026 World Cup.

“The news was chilling for the people of Equatorial Guinea, but the dream remained intact, especially after the comeback against Sao Tome and Principe on September 4th in Morocco.”

Equatorial Guinea's case has ignited fire in Group C, where Nigeria and Benin Republic are pushing for FIFA to sanction South Africa over the same offence.

Bafana Bafana fielded Teboho Mokoena, who was suspended on matchday five against Lesotho, a match which they won 2-1 and lead the group with 17 points.

There has yet to be an official confirmation from FIFA ahead of the final round of qualifying matches in October.