FIFA has ruled that Emilio Nsue was ineligible to play for Equatorial Guinea throughout his 11-year international career, despite previously playing for the team.
Nsue had represented Spain’s youth teams and didn’t properly switch his nationality to Equatorial Guinea.
FIFA reopened the case in March and has now annulled Equatorial Guinea’s World Cup 2026 qualification wins against Namibia and Liberia, awarding their opponents 3-0 victories instead.
Nsue is banned from international football for six months, and the Equatoguinean Football Federation has been fined $164,000.
Nsue’s goals, including 22 for Equatorial Guinea, have been deemed “substantial” by FIFA.
The ruling affects Equatorial Guinea’s World Cup qualification campaign, with upcoming matches against Tunisia and Malawi in June.
His performances in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) earlier this year, including a hat-trick against Guinea-Bissau and two goals against Ivory Coast, were notable, although Equatorial Guinea was eliminated in the round of 16 by Guinea.
He also finished the tournament as the top scorer with five goals.
Nsue, currently playing for Spanish club Intercity, and teammate Ivan Salvador were suspended in February for disciplinary issues.