Forgotten Nations: The Incredible Stories of Football in the Shadows

Forgotten Nations is a documentary film that tells the stories of international football teams that are unable to break into FIFA's ranks. These teams play under the auspices of CONIFA, the Confederation of Independent Football Associations, created to help express the cultural identities of football's stateless peoples. The film provides incredible human and sporting stories from diverse regions, including Matabeleland in Zimbabwe, Tuvalu in the south Pacific, and Yorkshire.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 03 June 2019
Publisher: Pitch Publishing Ltd

Forgotten Nations is a captivating documentary that delves into the captivating stories of international football teams that struggle to break into the prestigious ranks of FIFA. The film showcases a diverse range of teams, from self-funded minnows in Barawa, Sudan, to the Dalai Lama-backed national side of Tibet, and the emerging new media darlings of Yorkshire. These teams play under the auspices of CONIFA, the Confederation of Independent Football Associations, which was established with the noble mission of helping express the cultural identities of football's stateless peoples. Through their unwavering determination and unwavering spirit, these teams are fighting for recognition on the grandest stage of all.

The documentary offers a profound exploration of these forgotten nations and their remarkable human and sporting tales. It takes viewers on a journey across diverse regions, from Matabeleland in Zimbabwe, still grappling with the aftermath of massacres that occurred 30 years ago, to Tuvalu in the south Pacific, facing the imminent threat of inundation. The film provides a unique behind-the-scenes access to the 2018 CONIFA World Football Cup, held in London, which brings together teams from all over the world who have been overlooked by FIFA. The compelling narratives and the unwavering willpower of the sportsmen and women featured in the documentary shed light on the reasons behind the remarkable turnout of 11,000 people in 2016, when two teams that most of the world had never heard of faced off in a tiny stadium on the Black Sea coast.

Forgotten Nations is a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of these teams and their supporters. It serves as a reminder that football has the power to unite people, transcending boundaries and bringing communities together. The documentary encourages viewers to embrace the stories of these forgotten nations and to recognize the importance of their contributions to the world of football. It is a call to action for FIFA and other international football organizations to recognize the talent and dedication of these teams and to provide them with the support and resources they need to achieve their goals.

In conclusion, Forgotten Nations is a must-watch documentary that offers a captivating glimpse into the world of international football. It sheds light on the stories of teams that have been overlooked and marginalized by FIFA, and it celebrates the resilience and determination of these teams and their supporters. Through its powerful narratives and behind-the-scenes access, the film encourages viewers to embrace the diversity of the football world and to recognize the importance of cultural identities in the sport. It is a call to action for FIFA and other international football organizations to support and promote these teams, and to ensure that they have the opportunity to compete at the highest level.

Weight: 266g
Dimension: 212 x 134 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781785314568