The football federation of Kiribati, a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean, launched an appeal to the international community to organize itself and try to qualify for the 2030 World Cup in Portugal, Spain and Morocco. The country faces the existential threat of being submerged by rising sea levels, a direct consequence of the climate crisis.
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In a race against time, the local team dreams of participating in the biggest football tournament in the world before their territory disappears. The 2030 World Cup is seen as the last opportunity, as there is no longer time to try to qualify for the 2026 edition.
Kiribati is an archipelago made up of 33 islands, 21 of which are uninhabited. Located in the middle of the Pacific, it is one of the first nations to celebrate the New Year. However, its natural beauty is in danger, as the country’s highest point is just 81 meters above sea level. According to UN data, sea temperatures in the region are increasing at a rate higher than the global average, resulting in floods, soil erosion and forced displacement of the population.
To make the dream come true, the Kiribati Football Federation (KIFF) invited managers, coaches and former players from around the world to help develop the sport in the country and form a competitive coaching staff. The objective goes beyond football: to use the visibility of the great sport to alert the world about the climate crisis affecting Pacific communities.
Eriati Reebo, president of the federation, describes the situation as dramatic. «Sea level rise is already affecting everyday life in Kiribati. Many fields are located just a few meters above sea level. We are facing a ghost,” he said, adding that “in Kiribati, football is more than a sport. It’s a way for the community to stay connected, share a cause, have an identity».
Despite being a country recognized by the UN, Kiribati is not a member of FIFA, which prevents it from competing in the World Cup qualifiers. The membership process is complex and requires a well-structured federation, internal competitions, development programs and adequate infrastructure, significant challenges for a nation with limited resources and geographically isolated.
Read more in Serie A news. and related tags: New Year, Kiribati football.