Unified squad championing a fractured country: Sudan's remarkable approach to World Cup heritage, on the brink of historical achievement
Sudanese National Soccer Team on the Brink of World Cup Debut Amidst Ongoing Civil War
In the midst of Sudan's ongoing conflict, labeled by the UN as the "world's largest humanitarian disaster," the national soccer team is making history. The Falcons are currently tied for second place in Group B of CAF qualifying, with 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champion Senegal, and lie just one point away from the top of the group.
Sudan's head coach, James Kwasi Appiah, has played a key role in the team's recent successes. Under his leadership, the team has qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and reached the semifinals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), where they beat Algeria in a notable penalty shootout win.
The team's training camp is currently set up in Saudi Arabia, due to safety concerns in Sudan. Many members of the squad and staff were forced to flee to safety due to the conflict. Despite the challenges, the team's success has provided a symbol of hope for the people of Sudan, attracting support from both sides of the political divide.
Abusin, a Sudanese FA official, recalls the panic and scramble eastwards that the early stages of the civil war brought about. However, he is hopeful that the success of the national team can help bring common ground between the rival SAF and RSF factions in Sudan.
The team's roster is heavily composed of players from Sudan's most successful clubs, Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh. Over 70% of the most recent Sudanese national team is made up of players from these clubs. Mohamed Abdelrahman, a veteran forward and Al-Hilal captain, is the third highest goalscorer in Sudan's all-time history.
The team's unbeaten qualifying streak has been impressive, as they have faced strong opposition such as Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo. If Sudan qualifies for the World Cup, it would be a historic achievement for a nation that has endured so much hardship over the course of this qualification cycle. The team needs to win just four more matches to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Sudan's two most successful clubs, Al-Hilal and Al-Merrikh, have agreed to compete in the Mauritanian Premier League while the war continues in Sudan. A large Sudanese expat community resides in Libya, with over 200,000 Sudanese people arriving into the country since the outbreak of the civil war.
The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, with morgues in Khartoum reaching capacity, leaving thousands of corpses to rot on the streets. Over 13 million people have been displaced by the fighting between the government's military forces and the rebel RSF fighters.
Despite the challenges, the spirit of the Sudanese people remains strong, and their national soccer team has become a beacon of hope in these trying times.
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