Football in South Sudan

Football is the heartbeat of South Sudan. From dusty schoolyards to the Juba National Stadium, the game unites communities across the Republic of South Sudan, bringing fans, clubs and the federation together around the Bright Stars.

A Nation United by Football

The Republic of South Sudan is one of the youngest football nations in the world, and football is woven into its story. The South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF) governs the game across the country, guided by its values of integrity, development, unity, excellence and inclusion.

The Bright Stars

Since joining FIFA and CAF in 2012, the men’s national team — the Bright Stars — has carried the nation onto the continental and global stage. Landmark achievements include a first-ever CHAN finals qualification in 2020, a first competitive point in FIFA World Cup qualifying in 2023, and a historic debut at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in 2025.

Domestic Competitions

The domestic game is built around a growing club pyramid that gives players, coaches and officials a genuine professional pathway:

  • The South Sudan Premier League — the national top flight.
  • The National Cup — the federation’s flagship knockout competition.
  • The Super Cup — the curtain-raiser between the league champions and cup winners.
  • Regional and state leagues feeding talent into the national structures.

Women’s Football

The twelve-club Women’s Premier League gives female players a genuine competitive pathway, supported by dedicated development investment and national team opportunities at every age group.

National Teams

  • Senior men — the Bright Stars.
  • Senior women — the Bright Stars women’s side.
  • U20 and U17 — national squads preparing the next generation.

Grassroots and Development

Through academies, school programmes, coaching education, refereeing and equipment distribution, SSFF is building the game from the ground up in every state of the Republic. Grassroots festivals and inter-state tournaments bring football to communities that have waited generations for a national team to call their own.

“The future of South Sudanese football belongs to every boy and every girl at every pitch across the country.”