Somalia’s Federal Member States football tournament returns after two-year break

Thursday December 11, 2025

MOGADISHU — The Somalia Football Federation will restart the Federal Member States and Benadir Regional football tournament in January 2026 after a two-year break, reinstating one of the country’s most visible platforms for regional competition and talent identification.

SFF President Ali Abdi Mohamed Shiinno said the draw is set for Dec. 22, with matches beginning Jan. 24 under a revised national calendar. The federation will run the event directly, while the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports provides technical support aimed at standardizing management and improving coordination across participating regions.

In a notable expansion, the Northeast Administration will join the tournament for the first time, broadening the field and adding fresh competitive dynamics to a showcase that has historically reflected both sporting ambition and regional engagement.

The last edition was held in January 2024, when Galmudug defeated Benadir in a competitive final that drew widespread attention. That tournament spotlighted emerging talent, with several young players going on to sign for top clubs inside Somalia.Puntland Statedeclined to participate in 2024, a choice widely linked to political tensions between state leaders and the federal government at the time.

With the competition returning, officials and coaches are likely to view the revamped format and oversight as a chance to deepen consistency in match operations and player welfare, and to support the wider development of Somali football as national sports programs stabilize and expand.

Key details at a glance:

• Draw: Dec. 22, 2025
• Kickoff: Jan. 24, 2026
• Organizer: Somalia Football Federation (direct oversight)
• Support: Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports (technical support and coordination)
• New entrant: Northeast Administration (first-time participant)
• Last champions: Galmudug (over Benadir, January 2024)

The timing matters. A mid-January start aligns the tournament with the SFF’s revised calendar, which should help administrators synchronize logistics, venues and match-day standards from the outset. With the federation in the lead and the ministry’s technical backing, teams can expect clearer competition guidelines and more consistent officiating and operations — crucial building blocks for a domestic game that relies on reliable scheduling and fair play to attract fans, sponsors and scouts.

Expanding the field with the Northeast Administration further strengthens the event’s regional footprint. New rivalries and a broader talent pool can raise the overall level of play, while also giving more local coaches and administrators exposure to standardized competition management. For players, especially younger prospects who surfaced in 2024, a bigger stage offers additional minutes under pressure and a pathway into top-flight club environments.

The political undertone remains part of the backdrop. Puntland State’s absence in 2024 was widely tied to wider tensions between state and federal leaders. The federation’s decision to centralize oversight and enlist the ministry for technical support may help depoliticize the format by emphasizing shared standards and a nationally aligned schedule. A more inclusive roster of teams also signals an effort to widen participation and keep the focus on football, not friction.

Supporters who packed venues and tuned in during the last edition will remember the energy around the Galmudug-Benadir final — a reminder that the tournament is as much a cultural gathering as a sporting event. If the 2026 restart delivers smoother operations and wider participation, it could consolidate the competition’s status as a reliable annual fixture that nurtures players and binds communities across federal member states and Benadir.

For the SFF, the stakes are practical as well as symbolic. A consistently run regional tournament can sharpen scouting networks, help match coaches and players to appropriate levels of competition, and elevate fitness and tactical standards across the board. While the federation has not detailed additional format changes, the emphasis on standardized management suggests a focus on clear rules, aligned calendars and tighter coordination — the basics that often determine whether a competition grows or stalls.

As the draw approaches on Dec. 22, attention will turn to brackets, venues and the opening matches slated for Jan. 24. The return of the Federal Member States and Benadir Regional football tournament, anchored by direct federation oversight and ministry support, sets Somali football up for a busier, more structured start to 2026 — and a stage for the next wave of players hoping to make the jump to the country’s top clubs.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.