The Somaliland Deaf National Football Team is set to compete in the upcoming Deaf African Cup of Nations (DAFCON Ethiopia 2026), marking its participation in a continental football tournament organized by the Deaf African Football Confederation (DAFC), according to a statement from the Ministry of Sports of the Republic of Somaliland.
According to the official tournament fixtures, Somaliland has been drawn in Group C, alongside Cameroon, Senegal and South Sudan, setting up a series of matches against three national teams during the competition.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from November 30 to December 13, 2026, in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital. It is expected to bring together 18 national teams from across Africa, including Egypt, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire.
Somaliland’s participation provides an opportunity for its deaf footballers to compete against teams from across the continent, gain international sporting experience and strengthen sporting connections within Africa.
The competition will also offer a platform for deaf athletes to showcase their footballing abilities and highlight the role of inclusive sports in promoting participation and representation.
The Ministry of Sports’ announcement places the Somaliland Deaf National Football Team among the participants preparing for the continental tournament, with attention now turning to its Group C fixtures in Addis Ababa.