Somalia national football team
Encyclopedia
The Somalia national football team, nicknamed The Ocean Stars, is the national football team of Somalia
. It is controlled by the Somali Football Federation
, and is a member of the Confederation of African Football
(CAF) and the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA). It has never qualified for the final stages of a World Cup
. FIFA
sanctioned games cannot currently be played in Somalia due to the ongoing civil war
. All qualifying matches for the Africa Cup of Nations, the Arab Nations Cup
and the World Cup
must be played away from home.
(SYL), the nation's first political party, had put together a team of local youth to play against the Italian expatriate teams. In 1958, the first Somali commissioner for sport was also established. The football squad the SYL had assembled, which would later change its name to Bondhere, won the first several competitions. However, it was not as successful in its early forays against foreign teams.
In 1982, the Somali national football team participated in its first FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. It lost on the away goals rule after having drawn two matches against Niger
; the second leg of the series was played in Mogadishu
on July, 27, 1980 and ended with a score of 1-1.
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Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
. It is controlled by the Somali Football Federation
Somali Football Federation
The Somali Football Federation was founded in 1960. In that same year, the SFF became a FIFA member and has been affiliated with the organization ever since. In 1975, it joined the Confederation of African Football , an administrative body it is still likewise a member of. It is also a part of the...
, and is a member of the Confederation of African Football
Confederation of African Football
The Confederation of African Football is the administrative and controlling body for African association football.CAF represents the national football associations of Africa, runs continental, national, and club competitions, and controls the prize money, regulations and media rights to those...
(CAF) and the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA). It has never qualified for the final stages of a World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
. FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
sanctioned games cannot currently be played in Somalia due to the ongoing civil war
Somali Civil War
The Somali Civil War is an ongoing civil war taking place in Somalia. The conflict, which began in 1991, has caused destabilisation throughout the country, with the current phase of the conflict seeing the Somali government losing substantial control of the state to rebel forces...
. All qualifying matches for the Africa Cup of Nations, the Arab Nations Cup
Arab Nations Cup
The Arab Cup of Nations , is a football competition held between Arab countries, the first edition where held in 1963 in Lebanon.-Winners:...
and the World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
must be played away from home.
History
The first Somali football teams were established in the 1940s. The competitions were basic in structure, and were associated with the anti-colonial movement. The Somali Youth LeagueSomali Youth League
The Somali Youth League was the first political party in Somalia. It played a key role in the nation's road to independence during the 1950s and 1960s.-History:...
(SYL), the nation's first political party, had put together a team of local youth to play against the Italian expatriate teams. In 1958, the first Somali commissioner for sport was also established. The football squad the SYL had assembled, which would later change its name to Bondhere, won the first several competitions. However, it was not as successful in its early forays against foreign teams.
In 1982, the Somali national football team participated in its first FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. It lost on the away goals rule after having drawn two matches against Niger
Niger
Niger , officially named the Republic of Niger, is a landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. It borders Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to the north and Chad to the east...
; the second leg of the series was played in Mogadishu
Mogadishu
Mogadishu , popularly known as Xamar, is the largest city in Somalia and the nation's capital. Located in the coastal Benadir region on the Indian Ocean, the city has served as an important port for centuries....
on July, 27, 1980 and ended with a score of 1-1.
World Cup record
- 19301930 FIFA World CupThe 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Uruguay from 13 July to 30 July 1930...
to 19781978 FIFA World CupThe 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. The 1978 World Cup was won by Argentina who beat the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time in the final. This win was the first World Cup title for Argentina, who became the fifth...
– Did not enter - 19821982 FIFA World CupThe 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
– Did not qualify - 19861986 FIFA World CupThe 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
to 19981998 FIFA World CupThe 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
– Did not enter - 20022002 FIFA World CupThe 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
to 20142014 FIFA World CupThe 2014 FIFA World Cup will be the 20th FIFA World Cup, an international association football tournament that will take place in Brazil from 12 June to 13 July 2014....
- Did not qualify
Africa Cup of Nations record
- 1957 to 1972 – Did not enter
- 1974 – Did not qualify
- 1976 – Did not enter
- 1978 – Did not qualify
- 1980 to 1982 – Did not enter
- 1984 to 2010 – Did not qualify
- 2012 – Did not enter
- 2013 – Did not enter
Fixtures and Results
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See also
- Somalia national beach soccer teamSomalia national beach soccer teamThe Somalia national beach soccer team is a football squad, which represents Somalia in international beach soccer competitions. It is controlled by the Somalia Beach Soccer division of the Somali Football Federation, the latter of which is the governing body for professional football in...
- Somalia LeagueSomalia LeagueThe Somalia League is the top football division in Somalia. It was created in 1961.-Clubs:As of 2011 season:-Previous winners:*1967 : Somali Police *1968 : Hoga...
- Somalia CupSomalia CupThe Somalia Cup is the top knockout football tournament in Somalia. It was first held in 1977, and is an annual competition.-Winners:*1977 : The Somalia Cup is the top knockout [[football |football]] tournament in [[Somalia]]...
- Somali Football FederationSomali Football FederationThe Somali Football Federation was founded in 1960. In that same year, the SFF became a FIFA member and has been affiliated with the organization ever since. In 1975, it joined the Confederation of African Football , an administrative body it is still likewise a member of. It is also a part of the...