NUUK: Although ice-covered and largely abandoned, football still reigns in Greenland, with players looking to compete with other nations, but until they join the continental federation, it remains a dream. Until now, footballers in the Danish autonomous region have mostly played each other, and the national team – made up of amateurs – has relied on the goodwill of its opponents to organize matches. The regional football association KAK announced on 28 May that it had applied to join the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Football Association (CONCACAF), having been unable to join the European football association UEFA. UEFA’s statutes state that membership can only be granted to federations “located in a country recognized as an independent state by a majority of the members of the United Nations”. “It is currently the only place in the world that is not a member of any football association,” Greenland coach Morten Rutkjaer told AFP. Nevertheless, football – and especially the English Premier League – is very popular with the roughly 57,000 inhabitants of the world’s largest island, which covers an area of two million square kilometers. In the streets of Greenland’s cities and towns, many children play football in the summer, and when the weather permits, the pitches fill up – one of the most eye-catching is in the northern village of Uummannaq, which lies in the shadow of a nearby glacier. “It’s the biggest sport in Greenland,” KAK secretary general Ungaaq Abelsen told AFP, estimating that more than 10 percent of the population plays. “For example, if we get into CONCACAF or FIFA in general, then we can play a lot more matches against others in official tournaments,” he added, explaining what counts when you can join FIFA, which requires membership of a regional confederation. . Although the Danish Football Association (DBU) is not involved in the bid, it “strongly” supports it. “We are getting closer to our goal of playing more international matches and showing that Greenland is one of the countries that can play football,” said Greenland captain Patrick Frederiksen. The 30-year-old has played just 10 friendlies since making his first cap in 2017, most recently against Turkmenistan on June 1, which Greenland lost 5-0. Like his teammates, Frederiksen is not a professional. He works in a kindergarten and can practice only after classes. He is taking time off for outdoor tournaments such as the Island Games in Guernsey in 2023. For the federation, the goal is not yet to win the World Cup; in fact, Greenland is not seeking to participate in the qualifying stages before the 2026 edition. Instead, they want to focus on playing more games to improve, with the hope that this will benefit not only the national team, but also clubs across the country. Due to the harsh arctic climate, the outdoor season only lasts from May to August, and the local championship is only played for one week in early August. But Go Abroad project leaders are confident they can find arrangements to play abroad on approved pitches. In 1992, the Faroe Islands played a European Championship qualifier in Sweden because they lacked a suitable pitch, they claim. Most players and fans are far removed from such practical considerations and have already begun to marvel at the prospect of possible membership. “It will bring a certain joy, a proud feeling,” Frederiksen said, adding that having a recognized international status would be the fulfillment of a “childhood dream”. “Someone in the world will know where Greenland is,” said Robert Fuder, a fan who had come to attend an indoor training session in Maniitsoq – a town of 2,500. For many, it would also be an important step for Greenlandic identity. “It would mean very, very much to our country … it’s a big part of our identity and helps a lot in personal development in many ways,” Abelsen said. For Rasmus Petersen, a 44-year-old plumber who coaches a youth team in a small Arctic town, the area has a “bright future” in football. To facilitate this, the municipality of Maniitsoq subsidizes training so that everyone can play, in an effort to mobilize children. Joining the football confederation is “also about youth,” noted Rutkjaer. “Because now that you live in Greenland, you have something to look forward to,” he said. Membership would not only inspire the next generation but also create incentives to develop the country’s sports infrastructure. Since there is no stadium that meets international standards, Abelsen said they are considering buying air domes – inflatable structures covering the pitch to protect it from the elements.
