FIFA's only unranked nation play first competitive game in seven years

A nation unranked by FIFA have played their first competitive fixture for nearly seven years and marked the return in style.

On Wednesday night, East African nation Eritrea faced Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, in a historic Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture.

Eritrea's last official game was back in September 2019 when they lost to Namibia on aggregate in a 2022 World Cup qualifier.

They pulled out of qualification for the 2026 World Cup as well as various friendly matches, with The Guardian reporting that the key factor behind the regular withdrawals is to prevent players from requesting political asylum abroad when in other countries for away games.

The United Nations estimates that around 80 players and coaches have defected since 2007, with the country under the dictatorship of president Isaias Afwerki since 1993.

A low-key return took place in May 2025 when Eritrea played Niger in two friendly games just days apart to commemorate independence from Ethiopia obtained in 1993.

Because Niger's full international side did not play, the game did not count toward's the FIFA rankings.

READ MORE: Eight countries 'banned' from the World Cup as FIFA decision blocks them competing

However, Eritrea came back from the wilderness in a huge way by beating Eswatini 2-0 with late goals from 18-year-old debutant Siem Eyob-Abraha of Sheffield United and Ali Sulieman, who plays his football in Egypt.

It was Eritrea's first participation in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying since 2008 and they will now take on Eswatini in the second leg away from home on 31 March.

The first leg took place in a neutral venue in Meknes, Morocco as Eritrea do not have a suitable stadium.

Alongside five other teams, the aggregate winners of the preliminary round will progress to a group stage comprising of 12 four-nation mini-leagues. Teams ranked 1st to 42nd received a bye to the qualifying group stage, with 43rd to 54th having to participate in the very first phrase ahead of the 70th anniversary of AFCON in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Eritrea have never played in a World Cup or AFCON and because of their inactivity, they are the only side currently unranked by FIFA out of the 211 nations and have a separate section in the rankings.

The next official update arrives on 6 April and could see the Red Sea Camels return to the rankings for the first time since 2022, when they were in at 200.