BBC News Somali
·Jul 2026
The story of the only country in the world that has not yet played football
Nauru is one of the few countries never to have played an official international football match. Despite interest in watching major competitions and wearing the shirts of stars such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, football has struggled to take root because of limited usable land, a lack of facilities and the sport’s low popularity compared with Australian Rules Football. The island’s environmental degradation from phosphate mining, reliance on imported food, health problems and vulnerability to climate change further constrain sporting development. Earlier attempts to establish football matches, including a planned game led by former Premier League striker Dave Kitson, failed because of financial difficulties. A new long-term initiative by the Nauru Soccer Federation aims to give around 2,000 children footballs and build the sport through schools and churches, ahead of Nauru’s hosting of the 2028 Micronesian Games.