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Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is the easternmost country in continental Africa. The country is located in the Horn of Africa and is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, Kenya to the southwest, the Gulf of Aden to the north, and the Indian Ocean to the east. Somalia has the longest coastline on Africa's mainland. Somalia has an estimated population of 18.1 million, of which 2.7 million live in the capital and largest city, Mogadishu. Around 85% of its residents are ethnic Somalis and the official languages of the country are Somali and Arabic, though the former is the primary language. Somalia has historic and religious ties to the Arab world. As such the people in Somalia are Muslims, the majority of them Sunni.
Somaliland, officially the Republic of Somaliland, is an unrecognised country in the Horn of Africa. It is located in the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden and bordered by Djibouti to the northwest, Ethiopia to the south and west, and Somalia to the east. Its claimed territory has an area of 176,120 square kilometres (68,000 sq mi), with approximately 6.2 million people as of 2024. The capital and largest city is Hargeisa.
The Somalia national football team, nicknamed the Ocean Stars, represents Somalia in international football and is controlled by the Somali Football Federation (SFF), a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Somalia's first national team captain was Mohamed Shangole, while its longest serving captain has been Hasan Babay.
The Djibouti national football team, nicknamed the "Riverains de la Mer Rouge", is the national football team of Djibouti. It is controlled by the Djiboutian Football Federation and is a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA). The Djibouti national football team's first win in a full FIFA-sanctioned international match was a 1–0 win vs. Somalia in the first round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification.
The Somali people are a Cushitic ethnic group native to the Horn of Africa who share a common ancestry, culture and history. The East Cushitic Somali language is the shared mother tongue of ethnic Somalis, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afroasiatic language family. They are predominantly Sunni Muslim. Forming one of the largest ethnic groups on the continent, they cover one of the most expansive landmasses by a single ethnic group in Africa.
Keinan Abdi Warsame, better known by his stage name K'naan, is a Somali-Canadian rapper, singer and filmmaker. He rose to prominence with the success of his single "Wavin' Flag", which was chosen as Coca-Cola's promotional anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Besides hip hop, K'naan's sound is influenced by elements of Somali music and world music. A Grammy Award-winning artist and FIPRESCI Prize-winning director, he is also involved in various philanthropic initiatives.
The Somali Football Federation (SFF), was founded in 1951, and it is one of the national administrative governing bodies of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) responsible for organizing and controlling the sport of football and its competitions in the Federal Republic of Somalia, they also manage the Somalia national football team. In 1962, the SFF became a FIFA member. It later joined CAF in 1968, and the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA) in 1974. The SFF is responsible for organizing matches between local teams and enforcing rules and regulations of the game during matches.
Somali cuisine was influenced by many different countries mainly due to trade, but traditionally also varies from region to region due to the expansive landmass Somalis inhabit. It is the product of Somalia's tradition of trade and commerce. Some notable Somali specialties include kimis / sabaayad, canjeero / laxoox, xalwo (halwa), sambuusa (samosa), bariis iskukaris, and muqmad / oodkac.
Elman Sports Club is a Somali football club based in the Wadajir district of Mogadishu. Being the best known football team in Somalia, it competes in the top level of the Somali National League, Locally, it is known primarily by the nickname "The Yellows", which describes the color the team wear's. It is known as the best team in Somalia, being the most successful football club in the country, holding a national record of 15 official football trophies of which are, Six Somali National League's, three General Daoud Cups, Five Somali Super Cups and One Somali Stars League.
Wanderson de Paula Sabino, nicknamed Somália, is a Brazilian former striker. He last played for Taboão da Serra.
Dekedaha FC is a Somali football club based in Mogadishu, Somalia. Up to 2013 they played under the nickname of Ports FC.
Horseed FC is a Somali football club based in Mogadishu, Somalia. It was founded in 1971 by Lt. Col Mohamed Ahmed Alim, who started the Somali Armed Forces Sports Directorate recruiting from the ranks of the Army. It is a seven-time champion of the Somalia League. A team of Somali Armed Forces, Horseed SC was among the most formidable and recognized football clubs in the country. After the civil war broke out, it discontinued operations, but has been revived in 2013 by Gen Dahir Aden Elmi Commander of the Somalia Armed Forces. Gen Elmi revived all the different teams of Horseed Sports Club with emphasis on the Football Team which again began to compete in the Somalia Serie A league. In 2017, Col Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, was appointed as its chairman, and since then the club has seen positive changes and developments which have catapulted the club to regain its former glory.
The Somalia national beach soccer team represents Somalia in international beach soccer competitions and is controlled by the SFF, the governing body for professional football in Somalia.
Sports in Somalia are regulated by the Ministry of Sports of Somalia. The government ministry works closely with the Somali Olympic Committee and
Football in Somalia is run by the Somali Football Federation. The association administers the national football team, as well as the Premier League. Football is the most popular sport in Somalia.
Jeenyo United Football Club is a football club based in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Football is the most popular sport for women in Somalia. However, Somalia does not have a women's national football team with FIFA recognition, and have never played in a single international fixture. They are in a region that faces many challenges for the development of women's sport. Football is the most popular women's sport in the country and teams do exist for women to play on though they are few. Participation rates dropped by a large number in 2006. The sport's governing body in the country is not providing much support for the game and faces its own challenges.
The Barawa football team is the team representing the Somali diaspora in England. It is named after Barawa, a port town in Somalia. It hosted the 2018 ConIFA World Football Cup.
The Somalia Super Cup is the football super cup competition in Somalia, played between the winners of the Somali First Division and the Somalia Cup.
The Somalia national under-17 football team, nicknamed the Ocean Stars, represents Somalia at the age of U-17 levels in international football and is controlled by the Somali Football Federation (SFF), a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).