World Cup (Q): FIFA probes Equatorial Guinea over aborted game against Malawi

FIFA is reportedly investigating Equatorial Guinea football team over its failure to honour a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Malawi on Thursday.

Associated Press quoted a statement from FIFA as confirming the investigations. Nzalang Nacional refused to travel to Lilongwe for the game on a chartered plane overnight and arrive on the day of the Group H encounter.

The world football governing body’s probe comes days after the Equatorial Guinea Football Federation (FEGUIFUT) suspended coach Juan Michá who, alongside captain Emilio Nsue, is said to have objected to the decision to travel.

In a statement after holding an emergency meeting on Thursday, FEGUIFUT’s Executive Board accused the duo of having influenced the squad not to fly to Malawi.

What Equatorial Guinea statement says

“The Executive Board of the Equatoguinean Football Federation has held an emergency meeting to analyze the decision captivated by the captains of the National Team and their coach, Juan Michá, not to travel to Malawi,” the federation’s statement reads.

“Venancio Tomás Ndong Michá and his companions have condemned the decision of Nsue and company to tarnish the image of the country, the FEGUIFUT as well as the national team itself in front of the international community.”

The federation, which claims it did its part including chartering a plane to Malawi, has since reported the matter to the government for action.

Nzalang Nacional have forfeited their points which have gone to Malawi taking their tally to 13 points. Both teams are banking on a remote play-offs qualification route to the World Cup. Malawi could end up finishing on 16 points if they beat Sao Tome Principe on Monday. Equatorial Guinea, who have 10 points, face Liberia on Monday.

Already qualified Tunisia lead the table with 22 points while Sao Tome Principe occupy the bottom seat without a point in nine games.

If FIFA’s regulations for the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifiers are anything to go by, Equatorial Guinea football team faces stiff punishment for failing to honour their game against Malawi.

Chapter Five of the regulation, which Pan-Africa Football has seen, are very clear that teams that fail to show up for a sanctioned game would be penalized. The penalties include being barred from future competitions for FIFA for a considerable period.

“All participating member associations undertake to play all of their scheduled matches. Any association that withdraws between the submission of the entry form and the start of the preliminary competition will be sanctioned with a fine of at least CHF 20,000,” the regulations read in part.

“Any association that withdraws after the start of the preliminary competition will be sanctioned with a fine of at least CHF 40,000.

“Depending on the circumstances of the withdrawal, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may impose additional disciplinary measures, including the expulsion of the participating member association concerned from subsequent FIFA competitions. The FIFA Organising Committee may decide to replace the withdrawn participating member association in question with another member association.

“Any match which is not played or which is abandoned – except in cases of force majeure recognised by FIFA – may lead to the imposition of disciplinary measures against the relevant participating member association by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee in accordance with the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

“In such cases, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may also order that the match be replayed. Any participating member association that withdraws or whose behaviour is liable for a match not being played or being abandoned may be ordered by FIFA to reimburse FIFA, the host association or any other participating member association for any expenses incurred as a result of its behaviour.

“In such cases, the association concerned may also be ordered by FIFA to pay compensation for any damages incurred by FIFA, the host association or any other participating member association. The association in question will also forfeit any claim to financial remuneration from FIFA.

“If a participating member association withdraws or if a match cannot be played or is abandoned as a result of force majeure, FIFA shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action is deemed necessary. If a match is not played or is abandoned as a result of force majeure, the confederation and the two participating member associations shall agree on a resolution to be presented to and approved by FIFA.