FIFA has sanctioned Malaysia with three 3–0 defeats after the national team was found guilty of fielding ineligible players, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) confirmed on Wednesday.
The affected results include friendly match victories against Palestine and Singapore, as well as a draw with Cape Verde. FIFA also suspended seven players who were found to have submitted forged documents claiming Malaysian ancestry.
Those suspended are Hector Hevel, Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, and Joao Brandao Figueiredo. FIFA’s investigation revealed that none of the players had a parent or grandparent born in Malaysia, a key eligibility requirement for national team representation.
In addition to the sporting sanctions, FAM, which had earlier been fined $440,000, will now pay an additional $12,500 as part of the punishment.
FIFA launched the investigation after receiving a complaint following Malaysia’s 4–0 victory over Vietnam in June during an Asian Cup qualifier, a match in which two of the affected players scored.
The development comes amid heightened scrutiny over player eligibility globally. In a related move, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reportedly submitted a complaint to FIFA alleging that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) fielded ineligible players during their 2026 World Cup qualifying clash.
The DRC’s Leopards defeated Nigeria’s Super Eagles on penalties in the African play-offs and are currently preparing for the intercontinental play-off final.