The Kurds and the World Cup: no country of their own, no team of their own

There is no Kurdish national team because there is no Kurdish state. So, who are the Kurdish fans rooting for at the World Cup? Tilo Spanhel visited Iraq Erbil Sport Club.

Erbil Sport Club boys train on the soccer field next to the main road. Ali Geywan was one of around 20 players who showed up for training today. “Obviously it’s fun for me to win in front of spectators here at the stadium,” he says. “But it’s also nice to play in a quiet place with your friends – I love football.”

The 22-year-old plays defense. He has been training since he was a child in order to one day become part of the professionals. And get the chance to play for one of the big European clubs. “I have many dreams, also with regard to football. But I won’t be able to make them come true here.”

The association considers itself Kurdish

Geywan’s football team has a long tradition: Erbil Sport Club was founded in 1968, more than 50 years ago. In 1992, the club then moved into the newly built stadium next to the main road: almost 25,000 spectators can be seated here. And although the club plays in the first Iraqi league, is located on Iraqi territory and has won several Iraqi championships, Erbil Sport Club clearly see themselves as Kurds.

“Our dream is that Kurdistan will one day become a country of its own,” explains the team’s coach. “And we hope that this dream comes true.”

In Iraq, Erbil Sport Club is a big deal. It is the first Iraqi club to sign players from abroad. And became the first club in the country to qualify for the Asian Champions League and Arab Champions League.

“No One Will Discover You Here”

But the glitz and glamor of big European clubs like Bayern Munich, Real Madrid or Liverpool cannot be found on Erbil’s main street. Geywan, the 22-year-old defender, absolutely wants to get out of here as soon as possible. “No one will find you out here,” he says. “And you won’t even be famous. You have to go to Europe to make a name for yourself.”

What would hold him back the longest would be an official Kurdish national team. But there is not. There is not even a Kurdish state.

Still, the 22-year-old won’t miss out on the World Cup, even if he were to choose a different country, a different team to root for. “I’m rooting for Brazil this year. They are playing great! And even if there is no Kurdish team, I will continue to watch the World Cup.”