Liberia retains key World Cup qualifier points as CAS upholds FIFA sanction on Equatorial Guinea

Published: September 12, 2025

MONROVIA — Liberia’s Lone Star has kept three crucial points in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed Equatorial Guinea’s appeal over a FIFA sanction for fielding an ineligible player.

FIFA ruled in March that Equatorial Guinea’s striker Emilio Nsue was not eligible to play in several qualifiers, including the Nov. 20, 2023, match against Liberia in Monrovia. The sanction deducted six points from Equatorial Guinea, awarding three each to Liberia and Namibia.

On Thursday, Sept. 11, CAS upheld FIFA’s decision, confirming that the points remain with Liberia and Namibia.

The ruling cements Namibia’s second-place hold in the group, a spot that could secure a path to the continental play-off round. Namibia sits on 15 points with two games remaining, four points ahead of Liberia. Malawi and Equatorial Guinea follow with 10 points each, leaving all four teams still mathematically in contention for second place.

Africa’s group stage wraps up next month. Group winners advance directly to the continental play-offs in November, with the eventual winner moving on to the inter-confederation play-off in March 2026 for a chance to reach the World Cup.