Men’s National Team

The flagship side of South Sudanese football, the Bright Stars carry the hopes of a nation every time they take to the field. From the plains of Juba to the world's biggest stages, our senior men's team plays with a fearless, attacking spirit that has become the signature of South Sudanese football.

The team was born with the nation. South Sudan played its first official international fixture in Juba on 10 July 2012, drawing 2-2 with Uganda, and was admitted to FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) later that same year. What began as a symbol of independence has grown into one of the most unifying forces in the country.

Progress has been built step by step. The Bright Stars reached the finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for the first time in 2020, earned a maiden competitive point in FIFA World Cup qualifying in 2023 with a 1-1 draw against Sudan, and made a historic debut at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in 2025.

The squad blends talent nurtured at home with players established in leagues across Africa, Europe and beyond. That connection to the diaspora, together with a growing national coaching structure and a thriving youth pathway, gives the senior team an increasingly deep and competitive pool to draw from.

The Bright Stars play their home fixtures at the Juba National Stadium, backed by a new generation of supporters who are turning matchdays into national occasions. More than results, the team represents unity, resilience and ambition - a shared identity for every South Sudanese.