Written by
WorldCupSpain Editorial Team
Reviewed by
WorldCupSpain Editorial Desk
Updated
October 22, 2026
Methodology
Corrections
Somalia’s national team has accumulated a string of small but verifiable milestones across senior and youth levels as it builds experience in African competition.WHAT HAPPENED
- The Somali Football Federation was founded in 1951 and joined FIFA in 1962. Since then the national side has taken part in World Cup qualifying and regional tournaments.
- Somalia recorded its first World Cup qualifying victory on 5 September 2019, beating Zimbabwe 1-0 in Djibouti; Anwar Sid Ali Shakunda scored the only goal.
- In June 2024 Sak Hassan scored for Somalia in a 3-1 match against Botswana in Maputo.
- Somalia drew 0-0 with Guinea in March 2025, earning a point in the 2026 World Cup qualifying cycle. The side competed in a group that included Algeria, Botswana, Guinea, Mozambique and Uganda.
- At regional level Somalia participates in CECAFA competitions against East and Central African nations.
- Somalia’s U-17 team won the CECAFA zonal championship in 2022, beating South Sudan 3-1 in the final after defeating Uganda in the semi-finals, a result that helped them reach the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
- The source also notes diaspora players expand the pool available to the national team and that observers consider form, venue and specific match factors when assessing Somalia’s chances.
WHY IT MATTERS
These facts show measurable development rather than isolated results. The 2019 qualifier victory and the 2022 U-17 zonal title are concrete milestones: the senior results show Somalia can compete for points in qualifying, while the U-17 success creates a documented pathway of players gaining international tournament experience. Participation in CECAFA gives repeated regional exposure, and the presence of diaspora players broadens selection options.
WORLDCUPSPAIN ANALYSIS
Taken together, the source-supported facts point to gradual, experience-driven progress. Somalia’s results are not yet consistent wins at higher levels, but the combination of occasional positive senior results, youth success and regular regional competition provides the kinds of competitive minutes that national programmes need to develop. The 0-0 draw with Guinea and the 1-0 win over Zimbabwe are useful benchmarks: they demonstrate the team can produce competitive performances in qualifiers, while the U-17 CECAFA triumph supplies a younger cohort with tournament experience that the senior squad lacks.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The source does not specify any upcoming scheduled match, squad decision or confirmed next step.