The Sealand national football team represents the unrecognized, self-proclaimed micronation of the Principality of Sealand. It is not a member of FIFA or UEFA, but was an associate member of the N.F.-Board, an organisation for teams who are not members of FIFA. They were admitted to the N.F.-Board as a provisional member in 2005 and as an associate member in 2006, before the organisation became defunct in 2013. The team had been inactive since 2014, but was revived on 31st March 2024.
The Sealand National Football Association (SNFA) was founded in 2003.[1] In 2004, they played their first game against Åland drawing 2–2.[2] All the players on the Sealand team were members of Vestbjerg Vintage Idrætsforening, a veterans side from Aalborg. However, the Danish-based SNFA ended their activities in 2006 and Sealand football took a break.
Recent times
On 23 December 2009, Scottish author Neil Forsyth was appointed head of the revived SNFA.[3][4] He stated a goal of participation in the 2010 VIVA World Cup, a dream ultimately ended by a lack of finance.
On 5 May 2012, Sealand took to the field against fellow N.F.-Board members the Chagos Islands at Weycourt in Godalming, Surrey. The Chagossians won 3–1, with Ryan Moore scoring for Sealand. The team was captained by former Bolton Wanderers defender Simon Charlton and actor Ralf Little.[4][5][6]
Sealand played an away game against Alderney on 25 August 2012.[7] After drawing the match by a scoreline of 1–1, Sealand won 5–4 on penalties. On 9 March 2013 Sealand won their first ever international when they beat Alderney 2–1 in Godalming.
Sealand competed in the Tynwald Hill Tournament on the Isle of Man in July 2013. The tournament was held at Mullen-e-Cloie, St John's. Following a late 5–3 defeat to Tamil Eelam and an 8–0 demolition at the hands of eventual winners Occitania, Sealand finished bottom of their group and went on to the 5th place playoff where they beat Alderney 2–1.
In May 2014 Sealand drew 1–1 with the Chagos Islands at Crawley Town a fortnight before another draw, 2–2 with Somaliland (who were making their non-FIFA debut) in London.
Sealand underwent a European tour for the first time in August 2014 which proved to be hugely successful. In Chur a record 6–1 win over Raetia saw Dan Hughes become the record-scorer with 4 goals, before a 3–2 win over Seborga in Ospedaletti, Italy. Hughes added to his tally in that game and the Seals extended their unbeaten international run to 6 games.[9]
Sealand has not been a member of a confederation since the N.F.-Board became defunct. An application to join CONIFA was rejected.[10]
The revival in March 2024 was mainly thanks to Jacob Coldney. He is the first manager since the return and got in 15 players for the nation. They played their first game on 2nd April, winning 1-0 thanks to a late Alfie Johnson goal.
Sealand's kit has the same colors as the flag of Sealand. Their original kit consisted of a red shirt with white trim, black shorts and white socks, and was provided by JJB with sponsorship from UK investment firm Property Secrets.[14]
For the Tynwald Tournament, Sealand introduced a new Nike home kit, in red, with a white stripe down the right-hand side. In the 8–0 defeat to Occitania, Sealand debuted their Stanno away kit of a white shirt with pale red shorts.
On their return in 2024, they wore a full black kit (not custom made) and got creative by sticking the Sealand flag on themselves.
Åland 2–2 Sealand 
Raetia 1–6 Sealand 
Occitania 8–0 Sealand 
