Sudan team to compete at 2026 Dwarf Football World Cup

Sudan’s national team of players of short stature will take part in the 2026 World Cup in Morocco, securing an international platform despite the conflict affecting the country. The second edition of the tournament is scheduled for November and will allow the Sudanese side to compete after missing the inaugural event.

The team was unable to attend the first edition because it lacked sufficient funding and faced difficulties arranging travel. Its return to the competition follows continued efforts by players and organisers to build a squad capable of representing Sudan. The team was formed and officially recognised in 2020 through the work of volunteers and sports journalists.

Preparation has continued in Khartoum, where the players train with limited facilities. Members of the squad travel from different regions of Sudan to work together, creating additional logistical challenges as the war has displaced people and disrupted normal life. Despite those conditions, the team has maintained regular training and has kept its focus on participation in Morocco.

The squad’s organisers see the tournament as an opportunity to represent the country with the same commitment as other Sudanese national selections, including youth, junior, Olympic and senior teams. The players’ determination also carries a personal dimension. Some have faced exclusion and underestimation in football, including at school tournaments, because of their stature. Sudan will be among 24 teams at the World Cup, with Argentina entering as defending champions.