Greenland national football team facts for kids
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| Nickname(s) | Polar-Bamserne (The Polar Teddy Bears) |
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| Association | Football Association of Greenland (KAK) | ||
| Confederation | CONCACAF (North America) | ||
| Head coach | Morten Rutkjær | ||
| Captain | John-Ludvig Broberg | ||
| Most caps | Anders H. Petersen (24) | ||
| Top scorer | Norsaq Lund Mathæussen (9) | ||
| Home stadium | Nuuk Stadium | ||
| FIFA code | GRL | ||
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| Elo ranking | |||
| Current | 196  1 (3 March 2019) |
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| Highest | 186 (July 1980) | ||
| Lowest | 203 (June 1993) | ||
| First international | |||
 Faroe Islands 6–0 Greenland  (Sauðárkrókur, Iceland; 2 July 1980) |
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| Biggest win | |||
Greenland 16–0 Sark  (Saint Martin, Guernsey; 1 July 2003) |
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| Biggest defeat | |||
| Faroe Islands 6–0 Greenland (Sauðárkrókur, Iceland; 2 July 1980) Greenland 0–6 Guernsey  (Stromness, Shetland; 13 July 2005)  Menorca 6–0 Greenland (Sund, Åland; 29 June 2009) Greenland 0–6 Isle of Man  (Visby, Gotland; 30 June 2017) |
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| Island Games | |||
| Appearances | 15 (first in 1989) | ||
| Best result | Runners-up (2013, 2019) | ||
| Greenland Cup | |||
| Appearances | 3 (first in 1980) | ||
| Best result | Runners-up (1983) | ||
| ELF Cup | |||
| Appearances | 1 (first in 2006) | ||
| Best result | Group stage (2006) | ||
The Greenland national football team represents Greenland in international football games. It is controlled by the Football Association of Greenland, also known as KAK. Even though Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, like the Faroe Islands, it is not a member of FIFA. This means they cannot play in big tournaments like the Football World Cup.
Most of their games have been against the Faroe Islands and Iceland. In May 2024, Greenland officially asked to join CONCACAF, which is the football group for North America.
Contents
About the Team
Team History
The Football Association of Greenland was started in 1971. Its goal was to help football grow in Greenland. Before that, a championship for clubs across the island had been held since 1954.
Greenland played its first international match on July 2, 1980. They played against the Faroe Islands, another Danish territory, and lost 6–0. This game was part of a friendly tournament called the Greenland Cup in Iceland. In their next game, Greenland played against Iceland, who were full FIFA members, and lost 4–1. They finished third in that tournament.
Three years later, Greenland hosted the second Greenland Cup in Nuuk. This time, it was just one match between Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The first game ended in a 0–0 tie. So, they played again a few days later, and the Faroe Islands won 3–2.
The last Greenland Cup was held in the Faroe Islands in 1984. Iceland joined again. Greenland lost 1–0 to Iceland and then 1–0 to the Faroe Islands. They finished third once more. After the tournament, they played another friendly game against the Faroese and lost 4–2.
Greenland is also a member of the International Island Games Association. They have played in the Football at the Island Games. Since 2005, they have been part of the N.F.-Board, and since 2006, they have been a full member. In 2009, they also joined the IFU.
In 2001, Greenland played against Tibet, another team not part of FIFA. This game happened in Copenhagen. The Tibet team was made up of players of Tibetan heritage, not from Tibet itself. The match got a lot of attention because China warned Greenland about its shrimp exports due to Tibet's situation. Greenland won the game 4–1.
Joining Bigger Football Groups
Greenland has wanted to join a major football group since at least 1998. Back then, their team manager, Sepp Piontek, asked UEFA if Greenland could become a member. Joining FIFA or a big group like UEFA or CONCACAF is hard for Greenland. One big problem is their playing fields. Natural grass fields are very difficult to maintain in Greenland's cold climate. FIFA has strict rules about stadiums and playing surfaces.
However, FIFA now allows artificial turf fields. This is good news for Greenland. The first artificial turf field in Greenland was finished in Qaqortoq in 2009. In 2010, FIFA president Sepp Blatter visited and approved the new field. This was a big step towards Greenland possibly joining FIFA.
In 2014, the Danish Football Association (DBU) and Greenland's Football Association (GBU) teamed up. Their goal was for Greenland to become a member of UEFA and FIFA by 2020. The DBU offered money to help replace Greenland's clay courts with artificial turf. Also, in 2015, the Greenlandic government set aside money to plan a new covered national stadium in Nuuk. This stadium would be heated and hold thousands of fans. The first artificial pitch in Nuuk, the capital, was laid in 2015 and at the Nuuk Stadium in 2016.
Before joining FIFA, Greenland needs to be part of a continental football group. UEFA (Europe) or CONCACAF (North America) are the most likely choices. UEFA usually requires countries to be fully independent, which Greenland is not. CONCACAF might be easier because of Greenland's location.
In May 2022, Greenland officially started the process to join CONCACAF. They plan to submit their formal application by 2024 or 2025. The same old challenges, like not having enough good football facilities, are still there. The team has also started looking for players in Denmark who have Greenlandic family roots.
In October 2023, Kenneth Kleist became the new president of KAK. He said the team plans to apply for full CONCACAF membership in 2024, possibly on June 21, which is Greenland National Day. He also mentioned that the association was told they were "quite close to admission." On May 13, 2024, the Football Association of Greenland officially applied to become the 42nd member of CONCACAF.
Team Look and Home
Stadium
The team plays its home games at Nuuk Stadium in Nuuk, Greenland's capital city. There are plans for a new national stadium called Arktisk Stadion. This new stadium would meet the rules for international football games.
Kit
Since July 2020, Greenland's football uniforms are made by an Italian company called Macron.
Team Records
The Greenland national football team has played many games. Here are some of their records.
Most Games Played
These players have played the most games for Greenland.
| Rank | Name | Caps | Goals | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anders H. Petersen | 24 | 6 | 2001–2017 |
| 2 | Aputsiaq Birch | 19 | 0 | 2005–2017 |
| 3 | John Rasmus Eldevig | 18 | 1 | 2003–2013 |
| 4 | Maasi Maqe | 16 | 1 | 2009–2015 |
| John-Ludvig Broberg | 16 | 6 | 2011–present | |
| 6 | Kaali Lund Mathæussen | 15 | 4 | 2009–2017 |
| 7 | Norsaq Lund Mathæussen | 14 | 9 | 2011–2017 |
| Peri Fleischer | 4 | 2003–2009 | ||
| Niklas Kreutzmann | 4 | 2003–2006 | ||
| Kaassannguaq Zeeb | 1 | 2005–2015 | ||
| Nukannguaq Zeeb | 1 | 2011–2023 |
Top Goal Scorers
These players have scored the most goals for Greenland.
| Rank | Name | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norsaq Lund Mathæussen | 9 | 14 | 0.64 | 2011–2017 |
| 2 | Jan Nielsen | 8 | 12 | 0.67 | 2000–2010 |
| 3 | Vitus Kofoed | 7 | 4 | 1.75 | 2003 |
| 4 | Nemo Thomsen | 6 | 5 | 1.2 | 2020–present |
| Pavia Mølgaard | 6 | 1 | 2009–2011 | ||
| John-Ludvig Broberg | 16 | 0.38 | 2011–present | ||
| Anders H. Petersen | 24 | 0.25 | 2001–2017 | ||
| 8 | Leifeeraq Karlsen | 5 | 9 | 0.56 | 2003–2005 |
| 9 | Peri Fleischer | 4 | 14 | 0.29 | 2003–2009 |
| Niklas Kreutzmann | 14 | 0.29 | 2003–2006 | ||
| Kaali Lund Mathæussen | 15 | 0.27 | 2009–2017 |
Tournament Results
Greenland has played in several tournaments, mostly for teams not part of FIFA.
Island Games
The Island Games are a competition for islands. Greenland has done well here, reaching the finals twice!
| Island Games record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | GP | W | D | L | GS | GA |
| 1989 |
Fourth place | 4th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 8 |
 1991 |
Group stage | 8th | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 15 |
 1993 |
Fourth place | 4th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 6 |
 1995 |
4th | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 10 | |
 1997 |
Group stage | 9th | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
 1999 |
8th | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 18 | |
| 2001 |
9th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2003 |
10th | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 22 | 5 | |
 2005 |
8th | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 14 | |
 2007 |
Did not enter | |||||||
| 2009 |
Group stage | 9th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 15 |
| 2011 |
11th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 7 | |
 2013 |
Runners-up | 2nd | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 21 | 4 |
| 2015 |
Group stage | 5th | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 4 |
| 2017 |
Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 9 |
| 2019 |
Did not enter | |||||||
| 2023 |
Group stage | 8th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 10 |
| Total | Runners-up | 15/17 | 65 | 23 | 8 | 34 | 137 | 136 |
- Key
Champion Runners-up 3rd Place
- **Red border color indicates the tournament was held at home.
Greenland Cup
Greenland has also played in the Greenland Cup, a friendly tournament.
| Greenland Cup record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
 1980 |
Third place | 3rd | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| 1983 |
Runners-up | 2nd | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1984 |
Third place | 3rd | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | Runners-up | 3/3 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 15 |
Other Tournaments
Greenland has also taken part in other special tournaments for teams not in FIFA.
- FIFI Wild Cup (2006): Greenland played two games, losing both. They lost 0–1 to Northern Cyprus and 2–4 to Zanzibar. They were out in the first round.
- ELF Cup (2006): Greenland won one game (2–0 against Gagauzia), tied one (1–1 with Zanzibar), and lost one (1–0 to Kyrgyzstan). They were eliminated in the first round.
Honours
Non-FIFA Competitions
- Island Games
- Silver medal (2): 2013, 2017
Friendly Tournaments
- Greenland Cup
- Runners-up (1): 1983
- Third place (2): 1980, 1984
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Groenlandia para niños
- Football in Greenland
- Greenland Cup
- Greenlandic Football Championship
- Sport in Greenland
