Somalia national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Somalia Football Federation

Nickname(s)	The Ocean Stars
Association	Somali Football Federation (Xiriirka Soomaaliyeed ee Kubbadda Cagta)
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	CECAFA (Central & East Africa)
Head coach	Yusuf Ali Nur
Captain	Abdulsamed Abdullahi
Most caps	Ayub Daud (31)
Top scorer	Ayub Daud (6)
Home stadium	Mogadishu Stadium
FIFA code	SOM
First colours Second colours Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current	204 (7 February 2019)
Highest	65 (April–June 1996)
Lowest	203 (April–May 2019)
Elo ranking
Current	203 3 (3 March 2019)
Highest	126 (1973)
Lowest	205 (2015)
First international
Kenya 0–4 Somalia (Mombasa, Kenya; 1958)
Biggest win
Somalia 5–2 Mauritania  (Casablanca, Morocco; 7 August 1985)
Biggest defeat
North Korea 14–0 Somalia  (Jakarta, Indonesia; 14 November 1963)
CECAFA Cup
Appearances	26 (first in 1973)
Best result	Fifth place (1974, 1977, 1978, 1984, 1994, 2019)
Arab Games
Appearances	1 (first in 1985)
Best result	Seventh place (1985)

The Somalia national football team, also known as the Ocean Stars, represents Somalia in international football games. The team is managed by the Somali Football Federation (SFF). This organization is part of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The first captain of the Somali national team was Mohamed Shangole. Hasan Babay has been the team's longest-serving captain.

History of the Ocean Stars

Early Days of Somali Football

The first football teams in Somalia started in the 1940s. These early games were simple and linked to the movement against colonial rule. The Somali Youth League (SYL), Somalia's first political party, created a team of young local players. This team played against teams made up of Italian people living in Somalia. The SYL's football team, which later became known as Bondhere, won the first few competitions. In 1951, the Somali Football Federation (SFF) was officially formed. A special government role for sports was created in 1958.

Playing on the World Stage

The Somali national football team has played in many qualifying matches. However, they have never made it to the main FIFA World Cup tournament. For many years after the Somali Civil War began in the early 1990s, official FIFA games could not be played in Somalia. Because of this, qualifying matches for the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup were played in other countries.

After the capital city, Mogadishu, became safer in 2011, the SFF started planning. They prepared for the first big sports event in years at the Mogadishu Stadium. This event took place in December 2012.

New Talents and Big Wins

Before 2019, the Somali FA decided to look for new, young football talents. They held local tryouts to find players for both the Olympic and national football teams. Many Somali players who live in other countries have also become great footballers. Examples include Islam Feruz and Mukhtar Ali.

On September 5, 2019, Somalia won their first qualifying match since 1984. This was also their first-ever win in a FIFA World Cup qualifying game. They beat Zimbabwe 1–0. The Ocean Stars almost moved to the next round. However, they lost 3–1 in Zimbabwe after two late goals from the opposing team. This meant they were out of the competition.

Team Look and Uniforms

Team Kits and Crest

The Somali national football team has had different kit providers over the years.

Kit provider	Period
A2Z Sports	2020–2021
A2Z Sports	2022–present

From the 1970s to the 1990s, the team's home uniform featured the Somali Flag. This included socks with the flag design. The away kits were the opposite colors. The main colors of the Somali national flag are blue and white. In the 2010s, the team changed its solid sky blue shirts. They now wear shirts with vertical blue and white stripes.

The team's badge used to be the coat of arms of Somalia. Now, it is the Somali Federation crest. The Ocean Stars play their home games at the Mogadishu Stadium. When the stadium was being rebuilt, the team played at Engineer Yaarisow Stadium. This is Mogadishu's second stadium for sports events.

Somalia's first colours in the 1970s–1990s

Somalia's second colours in the 1970s–1990s

Recent Matches and Upcoming Games

Here are some of the recent match results for the Somali national team. Also included are any future games that have been planned.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

Matches in 2024

• March 20, 2024: Somalia lost 0-3 to Eswatini in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match in Morocco.
• March 26, 2024: Somalia drew 2-2 with Eswatini in the return leg in South Africa. Eswatini won 5-2 on total score.
• June 7, 2024: Somalia lost 1-2 to Mozambique in a World Cup qualifier in Mozambique.
• June 10, 2024: Somalia lost 1-3 to Botswana in a World Cup qualifier in Mozambique.

Matches in 2025

• March 21, 2025: Somalia drew 0-0 with Guinea in a World Cup qualifier in Ivory Coast.
• March 25, 2025: Somalia lost 0-2 to Botswana in a World Cup qualifier in Botswana.
• September 2025: Somalia is scheduled to play Guinea and Uganda in World Cup qualifiers.
• October 2025: Somalia is scheduled to play Algeria and Mozambique in World Cup qualifiers.
• November 2025: Somalia is scheduled to play Oman in the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar.

Team Coaches

The Somalia national football team players during a training session in 2015

Another picture of the Somalia national football team players in 2015

Many coaches have led the Somali national football team over the years. Here is a list of some of them:

Name	Nat	Period	Matches	Wins	Draws	Losses	Win rate
Qi Wusheng		1978–1979
Klaus Ebbighausen		1980
Hussein Ali Abdulle		May 1999 – Dec 2000	8	0	1	7	6.3%
Awil Ismail Mohamed		Nov 2001 – Dec 2002	7	1	2	4	28.6%
Ali Abdi Farah		Oct 2003 – Dec 2005	9	1	0	8	11.1%
Daniel Muwathe		Oct 2006 – Dec 2006	6	0	0	6	0%
Hussein Ali Abdulle		Oct 2007 – Dec 2007	4	0	0	4	0%
Ali Abdi Farah		Sept 2008 – Dec 2009	8	2	0	6	25%
Mohamed Farayare		Jan 2010 – Mar 2010	2	1	0	1	50%
Yousef Adam		Oct 2010 – Dec 2010	3	0	0	3	0%
Alfred Imonje		Oct 2011 – Dec 2011	5	0	1	4	10%
Sam Ssimbwa		Dec 2011 – Oct 2013	6	0	0	6	0%
Sam Ssimbwa		Mar 2014 – Sept 2015	2	0	0	2	0%
Charles Mbabazi		Sept 2015
Haruna Mawa		Nov 2016 – Nov 2019
Bashir Hayford		Mar 2019 – 2019	7	2	2	3	42.8%
Said Abdi Haibeh		Dec 2019 – May 2021	4	1	2	1	25%
Abdellatif Salef		May 2021 – June 2021	0	0	0	0	0%
Salad Farah		June 2021 – February 2022	2	0	0	2	0%
Pieter de Jongh		February 2022 – May 2022	2	0	0	2	0%
Rachid Lousteque		July 2022 – 2023	0	0	0	0	0%

Current Players

Meet the Squad

The players listed below were chosen for the World Cup qualifying matches. These games were against Guinea and Botswana in March 2025.

The number of games played (caps) and goals scored are correct as of March 25, 2025, after the match against Botswana.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Abdirahman Mohamud	(2001-01-01) 1 January 2001 (age 24)	5	0	Dekedaha
	1GK	Ibrahim Ahmed Hussein	(2005-12-23) 23 December 2005 (age 19)	1	0	Waxool
	1GK	Aleeleya Sheikh Saeed		0	0	Mogadishu City
	2DF	Abel Gigli	(1990-08-16) 16 August 1990 (age 34)	11	1	Correggese
	2DF	Mohamud Ali	(1994-07-08) 8 July 1994 (age 31)	10	0	Llandudno
	2DF	Yonis Farah	(1999-09-04) 4 September 1999 (age 25)	9	0	FC Mitrovica
	2DF	Ayman Mohamed Hussein	(2000-12-12) 12 December 2000 (age 24)	8	0	Horseed
	2DF	Fahad Mohamed	(2000-03-21) 21 March 2000 (age 25)	5	0	Ekenäs
	2DF	Ali Mohammed Omar	(1999-09-14) 14 September 1999 (age 25)	2	0	Larne
	2DF	Abdulle Abdullahi	(2006-11-03) 3 November 2006 (age 18)	2	0	Dekedaha
	2DF	Suleyman Sidali	(2004-10-02) 2 October 2004 (age 20)	0	0	Dekedaha
	3MF	Ahmed Hirabe	(1997-12-12) 12 December 1997 (age 27)	12	0	Horseed
	3MF	Abdulsamed Abdullahi	(1997-01-19) 19 January 1997 (age 28)	10	0	Arsenal Tivat
	3MF	Mukhtar Suleiman	(1998-08-10) 10 August 1998 (age 26)	10	0	SV Spakenburg
	3MF	Ibrahim Ilyas	(2000-03-05) 5 March 2000 (age 25)	6	0	KMC
	3MF	Aweys Adan	(1995-06-14) 14 June 1995 (age 30)	5	0	Dekedaha
	3MF	Mohamed Omar	(1999-01-22) 22 January 1999 (age 26)	2	0	San Antonio FC
	4FW	Mohamed Awad	(1994-05-07) 7 May 1994 (age 31)	12	1	Sliema Wanderers
	4FW	Sak Hassan	(2001-03-21) 21 March 2001 (age 24)	11	2	Hashtag United
	4FW	Yusuf Ahmed	(1997-04-24) 24 April 1997 (age 28)	10	1	Avondale
	4FW	Issa Adim Abatari	(2002-02-13) 13 February 2002 (age 23)	6	0	Mogadishu City
	4FW	Ali Adem Musse	(1996-01-01) 1 January 1996 (age 29)	6	0	Cavalry
	4FW	Mahad Shine	(2001-08-19) 19 August 2001 (age 23)	6	0	Horseed
	4FW	Bilal Habib	(2000-11-21) 21 November 2000 (age 24)	2	0	Altona Magic

Players Called Up Recently

These players have also been called to the Somalia squad in the last year.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Abdi Samad		0	0	Waxool	v.  Botswana; 10 June 2024
DF	Saadiq Elmi	(2000-11-11) 11 November 2000 (age 24)	11	0	Moss	v.  Botswana; 10 June 2024
DF	Abdi Salim	(2001-04-01) 1 April 2001 (age 24)	5	0	Detroit City	v.  Botswana; 10 June 2024
DF	Isse Abdulkadir	(1999-07-01) 1 July 1999 (age 26)	3	0	Elman	v.  Botswana; 10 June 2024
MF	Ismail Liban	(2001-07-29) 29 July 2001 (age 23)	4	0	Bentleigh Greens	v.  Botswana; 10 June 2024
MF	Ismael Shirwa	(1994-03-13) 13 March 1994 (age 31)	4	1	Werribee City	v.  Botswana; 10 June 2024
MF	Mohamed Sheik Ahmed		0	0	Ohio Dominican Panthers	v.  Botswana; 10 June 2024
MF	Zakariyah Nur	(2005-12-12) 12 December 2005 (age 19)	1	0	Cumberland United	v.  Botswana; 10 June 2024
MF	Abdullahi Osman	(1999-04-05) 5 April 1999 (age 26)	1	0	Perth	v.  Botswana; 10 June 2024
FW	Yusuf Ali		1	1	Vermont Green	v.  Botswana; 10 June 2024
FW	Handwalla Bwana	(1999-06-25) 25 June 1999 (age 26)	0	0	Tormenta	v.  Botswana; 10 June 2024

Player Achievements

Most Games Played

These players have played the most games for Somalia. Players in bold are still active.

Top Goal Scorers

These players have scored the most goals for Somalia. Players in bold are still active.

Tournament Records

FIFA World Cup

Somalia has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup.

FIFA World Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1958	Part of  Italy &  United Kingdom									Part of  Italy &  United Kingdom
1962	Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1966 to 1978	Did not enter									Did not enter
1982	Did not qualify									2	0	2	0	1	1
1986 to 1998	Did not enter									Did not enter
2002	Did not qualify									2	0	0	2	0	6
2006										2	0	0	2	0	7
2010										1	0	0	1	0	1
2014										2	0	1	1	0	5
2018										2	0	0	2	0	6
2022										2	1	0	1	2	3
2026	To be determined									6	0	1	5	3	11
Total											0/15							19	1	4	14	6	40

Africa Cup of Nations

Somalia has not yet qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Africa Cup of Nations record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1957	Part of  Italy &  United Kingdom									Part of  Italy &  United Kingdom
1959
1962	Not affiliated to CAF									Not affiliated to CAF
1963
1965
1968
1970	Withdrew									Withdrew
1974	Did not qualify									2	1	0	1	2	5
1976										2	1	0	1	1	2
1978	Did not enter									Did not enter
1980	Withdrew									Withdrew
1982	Did not enter									Did not enter
1984	Did not qualify									1	0	0	1	0	1
1986									2	1	0	1	1	1
1988									2	0	1	1	0	5
1990	Did not enter								Did not enter
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2013
2015
2017
2019
2021
2023	Did not qualify								2	0	0	2	1	5
2025									2	0	0	2	2	5
2027	To be determined								To be determined
Total		0/35							13	3	1	9	7	24

CECAFA Cup

The CECAFA Cup is a regional tournament for East and Central African teams. Somalia has played in it 26 times.

CECAFA Cup record
Appearances: 26
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1973	Group stage	6th	2	0	0	2	2	12
1974		5th	2	0	1	1	2	3
1975	Did not enter
1976	Group stage	7th	3	0	0	3	2	7
1977		5th	3	1	1	1	2	2
1978		5th	4	0	1	3	3	10
1979	Did not enter
1980	Group stage	6th	2	0	1	1	1	3
1981	Did not enter
1982
1983	Group stage	7th	3	0	1	2	3	5
1984		5th	3	1	1	1	3	3
1985	Did not enter
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1994	Group stage	5th	3	1	0	2	3	8
1995		8th	3	0	0	3	1	15
1996	Did not enter
1999	Group stage	12th	2	0	0	2	0	5
2000		9th	4	0	1	3	1	11
2001		9th	3	0	1	2	0	6
2002		8th	4	1	0	3	1	4
2003	Did not enter
2004	Group stage	8th	3	0	0	3	0	7
2005		7th	4	1	0	3	6	10
2006		10th	3	0	0	3	0	8
2007		10th	3	0	0	3	0	6
2008		9th	4	1	0	3	1	9
2009		10th	3	0	0	3	1	6
2010		12th	3	0	0	3	0	11
2011		12th	3	0	0	3	1	11
2012		12th	3	0	0	3	1	13
2013		11th	3	0	0	3	0	7
2014	Not held
2015	Group stage	10th	3	0	0	3	0	9
2016	Not held
2017	Withdrew
2018	Not held
2019	Group stage	5th	4	1	2	1	1	2
2021	Did not enter
Total	0 titles	26/42	80	7	10	63	35	193

More About Somali Football

• Somali national beach soccer team
• Somali League
• Somali Cup
• Somali Football Federation

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Somalia para niños