South Sudan’s national football team, the Bright Star, has found itself in a distressing situation after Libyan authorities reportedly seized the players’ passports upon their arrival in Benghazi.
The South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) confirmed the incident in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), raising concerns over the team’s ability to focus on their crucial FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Sudan.
“Our delegation’s passports were taken away by Libyan migration authorities upon arrival in Benghazi,” the SSFA revealed. The association added that efforts were underway to resolve the situation and ensure the team’s smooth participation in the match.
A Troubled Journey
The South Sudanese squad had earlier confirmed their safe arrival in Benghazi, expressing readiness for the upcoming fixture. However, the passport seizure has cast a shadow over their preparations, leaving officials scrambling for a resolution.
This is not the first time African teams have faced logistical and administrative challenges while traveling for international fixtures. In many instances, bureaucratic hurdles, visa complications, or miscommunications with host authorities have disrupted teams’ schedules.
Fan and Official Reactions
Supporters and football analysts reacted with concern to the development, questioning the circumstances behind the passport seizure. Some speculated that the incident could be linked to broader diplomatic or administrative issues between South Sudan and Libya.
“This is unacceptable. How does a national team arrive for a FIFA-sanctioned match and have their passports confiscated?” one user commented on the SSFA’s post.
Others pointed out that despite the setback, South Sudan must remain focused on their qualification campaign.
“We need to stay strong and play our hearts out. These obstacles cannot stop us,” another fan posted.
SSFA Appeals for Urgent Intervention
With time running out before the crucial match, the SSFA is working with local authorities and possibly FIFA officials to resolve the issue. The federation has assured fans that every effort is being made to recover the players’ documents and allow them to focus on the game.
South Sudan’s participation in the World Cup qualifiers is a significant moment for the young footballing nation. While they have yet to make a major impact on the global stage, the team has shown steady progress in recent years.
The match against Sudan was already expected to be a tense and emotionally charged affair, given the historical and political ties between the two nations. Now, the added pressure of off-field distractions could test the Bright Star’s resilience even further.
As of now, the fate of South Sudan’s passports remains unclear. If the issue is not resolved quickly, it could pose serious problems for the team’s logistics, including their ability to travel after the match.
FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) are yet to comment on the situation, but the SSFA’s call for urgent action will likely prompt discussions at the highest levels of football governance.
For now, fans are left waiting and hoping that their team will not only get their documents back but also manage to perform under such difficult circumstances.
