By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU — The President of the Somali Football Federation (SFF), Ali Abdi Mohamed known as “Shiinno”, has officially announced that the Inter-Regional Football Tournament, featuring Somalia’s federal member states and the Banaadir region, will resume at the beginning of 2026 after a two-year hiatus.
Shiinno confirmed that the tournament draw will take place on 22 December 2025, while official matches are scheduled to begin on 24 January 2026, according to the federation’s plans. He added that the SFF will directly manage the entire competition, with the Ministry of Youth and Sports providing technical support. This arrangement reflects a coordinated, national-level effort to make the tournament more organized and professional.
For the first time, the Northeast Administration (Puntland) will participate in the tournament, increasing the number of competing federal member states. The last edition of the inter-regional tournament took place in January 2024, with Galmudug emerging as champions after a series of exciting matches against Banaadir. The 2024 tournament was notable for showcasing young talent, several of whom have since joined top domestic clubs.
Shiinno also noted that Puntland had previously opted not to participate, reportedly due to political disagreements with the Federal Government of Somalia.
The 2026 tournament marks a renewed effort to unify Somali football, promote local talent, and strengthen sporting cooperation among the country’s regions.
