FIFA’s only unranked nation plans return after six-year ban

January 9, 2026 Oliver Obel

Eritrea has confirmed it will take part in qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, marking a return to international football after more than six years without an official match.

The east African country is currently FIFA’s only unranked member, a status that reflects its prolonged absence from competitive fixtures rather than a formal suspension.

Football put on hold

Eritrea’s last appearance came in January 2020, when it played Sudan in a friendly. Its most recent competitive fixture was in 2019, during qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Participation since then has been repeatedly curtailed. BBC Sport Africa has reported that Eritrea’s government restricted international matches over concerns players could seek asylum or remain abroad after travelling with the national team.

Those concerns resurfaced in November 2023, when Eritrea withdrew from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers days before a scheduled opening match against Morocco. FIFA confirmed the withdrawal, stating at the time: “All of Eritrea's matches have been cancelled, while the rest of the match schedule for Group E remains unchanged.”

Player criticism

The decision drew criticism from within the squad. Midfielder Mohammed Saeid said uncertainty around leadership and planning had undermined the national setup.

“I don't know why it has happened or who is in charge. It is clear that those at the top aren't taking football seriously enough,” Saeid told BBC Sport Africa.

He said players of Eritrean heritage competing across Europe were increasingly reluctant to commit to the national team amid repeated withdrawals, adding: “We could compete if given a chance.”

Path back through AFCON

Eritrea’s planned return will come through qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The announcement comes as African football continues a busy cycle. The continent’s 2026 World Cup qualification campaign has concluded, with nine teams securing places in North America, while several leading nations remain involved in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, now at the quarter-final stage.

For Eritrea, however, the objective is more immediate: re-establishing a national team presence after years away from the international calendar.

Sources: BBC Sport Africa, FIFA