ConIFA World Cup 2018

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Something different for your football fix this summer.

I don't think this counts as International Football as no formally recognised nation is actually playing in it.

Its a competition for unrecognised regions and states, minorities, stateless people and regions unaffiliated with FIFA.

Tournament is being held in London, with Barawa (Somalia) at the 'host'.

A bit more info is here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_ConI ... otball_Cup

Northern Cyprus have been knocking on the door in recent tournaments and are my selection to lift the trophy in June.

[Old Man Andrews]

I will be putting all my support behind Székely Land. They are in a tough pot though.

[Sanguine]

Tibet have overcome an obstacle or two to field a team.

Moreover, the pitch [where they held their first training session] was in horrible condition and only half of it could be used as it was located on a public road.

[Sutekh]

Presume most will be supporting Ellan Vannin as the nearest thing to a "home" team on a location basis?

Tibet presumably rank outsiders given the obstacles and only qualifying on a wild card?

Could HNA enter a team in the next one as a minority not affiliated with FIFA?

[Old Man Andrews]

Presume most will be supporting Ellan Vannin as the nearest thing to a "home" team on a location basis?

Tibet presumably rank outsiders given the obstacles and only qualifying on a wild card?

Could HNA enter a team in the next one as a minority not affiliated with FIFA?

What region are we representing? Whitley?

[Sanguine]

Presume most will be supporting Ellan Vannin as the nearest thing to a "home" team on a location basis?

Tibet presumably rank outsiders given the obstacles and only qualifying on a wild card?

Could HNA enter a team in the next one as a minority not affiliated with FIFA?

Membership of ConIFA seems as strict as it is loose.

Starts strongly.

The Confederation of Independent Football Associations is a global umbrella organization for national teams not under the auspices of FIFA – representing nations, minorities, isolated dependencies or cultural regions.

But then gets a bit fluffy.

Most of our member’s players do not have the chance to regularly play international football or are not valid to play for any of the FIFA members. Others, even if there is a theoretically opportunity to play for a FIFA member FA, have the feeling to represent a foreign country than their own. We give them the chance to play for the entity they feel part of in the bottom of their hearts.”

Presumably that final sentence is most applicable for the recently granted membership of Yorkshire, the only British members, to ConIFA.

[Old Man Andrews]

You just oxf*rd knew it would be Yorkshire, didn't you.......

[From Despair To Where?]

I'd gladly give Yorkshire independence if it meant it was set adrift from mainland Britain and used by Bomber Command for target practice.

[6ft Kerplunk]

Guys I can hear you, you know.

[From Despair To Where?]

Don't forget, I did live in God's Own Khazi for 11 years, I'd gladly pay for a taxi to get you out before the bombers take off

[Hendo]

[6ft Kerplunk]

Definitely in favour of Boycott being taken out tbf.

[John Smith]

How on earth do sides like Kiribati fund the travel?

I wonder what the standard is like. Might pop down to a game if I can be arsed.

[Green]

How on earth do sides like Kiribati fund the travel?

I wonder what the standard is like. Might pop down to a game if I can be arsed.

Can't be that hard to find 11 Sunday league players with a Kiribatian grand parent, I don't reckon most will be coming from the South Pacific especially.

[Sanguine]

How on earth do sides like Kiribati fund the travel?

I wonder what the standard is like. Might pop down to a game if I can be arsed.

@ Green. The squad list through the Wiki link above says the Kiribati squad were all born on the island.

As to the standard, their only major tournament previous has been the 2011 Pacific Games, where they lost 17-1 to Papua New Guinea - whose only major friendly in the last few years has been an 8-1 defeat to Iran.

[Green]

Well then that does sound like a long way to come for a game of football.

Maybe make a holiday of it I spose.

[Tony Le Mesmer]

The group fixture schedule is 3 games in 4 days.

[Old Man Andrews]

The group fixture schedule is 3 games in 4 days.

No issue for the mighty Székely Land. The guys are strong, physical and are of an outdoor pursuit.

[double d]

Who win?

[double d]

Okay I get it. I am supporting fc Koreans of japan