The South Sudan national football team, known as the Bright Stars, has been actively participating in various FIFA and CAF competitions since becoming a FIFA member in 2012. Here’s an overview of their involvement:
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
- 2018 FIFA World Cup: Entered the African qualifiers but did not advance past the first round.
- 2022 FIFA World Cup: Participated in the qualifiers but did not qualify for the tournament.
- 2026 FIFA World Cup: Currently competing in the CAF qualification rounds. Recent matches include a 1–0 loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo and a 1–1 draw with Sudan.
Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
- 2015 AFCON Qualifiers: Achieved their first official victory with a 1–0 win over Equatorial Guinea.
- Subsequent AFCON Qualifiers: Continued participation in qualification rounds but have yet to qualify for the final tournament.
African Nations Championship (CHAN)
- Participated in qualification matches but have not qualified for the final tournament.
CECAFA Cup
- Regular participants in the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Cup.
Women’s National Team
- The South Sudan women’s national team made its debut in international competition in 2021 during the CECAFA Women’s Tournament.
- In 2023, they played their first FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier against Algeria, marking a significant milestone in the development of women’s football in the country.
While South Sudan has yet to qualify for major international tournaments, their continued participation in qualifiers and regional competitions reflects a growing commitment to developing football within the nation.
