ConIFA and Darfur United - this is for real

Darfur United at home. Photo: Humanity United

Yes. there is life - and life-changing football - outside FIFA. The Confederation of Independent Football Associations (ConIFA) is a global umbrella organization for all football teams outside FIFA (there's even an Oceania section). There are more than 5 500 etnicities around the world and hundreds of sportingly isolated regions that don't have an international arena to play international football. And ConFIFA recently had its World Championships in Sweden!

One of those competing this year was Darfur United - remember Darfur? Oh yeah, that place in western Sudan where millions were displaced and hundreds of thousands killed from 2004. Yeah well, the killing and oppression still goes on, but do we hear about it. Last year, there was more violence and more displaced. Chad, Sudan's neighbor to the west, is now home to over 300,000 Darfuri refugees, and more arrive every day. It's also taking in displaced from the Central African Republic and South Sudan. Darfur United is an all-refugee team made up of the best players from twelve camps that dot the Chad-Sudan border, and was created in 2012.

"Older" refugees from Darfur are being asked to tighten their belts and move towards self-reliance. Food rations have been cut by half. Officially, they now receive between 900 and 1,100 calories per person, down from the standard 2,100 the previous years. 

Amidst this context, Darfur United came together once more to play a game of soccer. At the World Champs in Sweden, they lost every game, badly. But to them, it's much more than a game. Mahamat, Darfur United's midfielder, says, "We have dreams, we have hope, we have passion, we have talent, but the world forgot us." He believes that his team and their participation in international tournaments gives his people moments of joy and some hope for the future.

Read more about the team - and the current situation in Darfur at: 

World Cup Soccer, In The Land Of The Hungry