Football in Greenland
Encyclopedia
Football is the national sport in Greenland
. It was brought to Greenland
by Danish settlers. Because of the climatic conditions, Greenland is unable to support any grass pitches so games are played on artificial turf
. The national stadium is the Nuuk Stadium
in the capital Nuuk
.
The Football Association of Greenland
is not a member of FIFA
or any of its confederations, but is a member of the International Football Union, secondary governing bodies of association football for nations and sub-national countries that are not FIFA members. Although the Faroe Islands
, another dependency of Denmark
, is a member of FIFA and UEFA, Greenland is considered part of Denmark for the purposes of international football.
played a landmark fixture against a Tibet XI
in Denmark
, the game went ahead despite great pressure by the Chinese Government
and FIFA
to have it called off.
is the top football division in Greenland. First played in 1958 it has been organized by the Football Association of Greenland since 1971. The most successful club is Nagdlunguaq-48
who have won the competition on ten occasions.
There has also been a campaign in recent years to enter a Greenland team into the Danish Superliga
.
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
. It was brought to Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
by Danish settlers. Because of the climatic conditions, Greenland is unable to support any grass pitches so games are played on artificial turf
Artificial turf
Artificial turf is a surface manufactured from synthetic fibers made to look like natural grass. It is most often used in arenas for sports that were originally or are normally played on grass. However, it is now being used on residential lawns and commercial applications as well...
. The national stadium is the Nuuk Stadium
Nuuk Stadium
Nuuk Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium has a capacity for 2,000. It has a dirt pitch.-Venue:The stadium can also be used as an entertainment venue...
in the capital Nuuk
Nuuk
Nuuk, is the capital of Greenland, the northernmost capital in North America and the largest city in Greenland. Located in the Nuup Kangerlua fjord, the city lies on the eastern shore of the Labrador Sea and on the west coast of Sermersooq. Nuuk is the largest cultural and economic center in...
.
The Football Association of Greenland
Football Association of Greenland
The Football Association of Greenland is the governing body of football in the island country of Greenland. The GBU was founded in 1971. It runs the Greenland national football team.Greenland is not a member of FIFA and can therefore not play in the FIFA World Cup...
is not a member of FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
or any of its confederations, but is a member of the International Football Union, secondary governing bodies of association football for nations and sub-national countries that are not FIFA members. Although the Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands are an island group situated between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately halfway between Scotland and Iceland. The Faroe Islands are a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, along with Denmark proper and Greenland...
, another dependency of Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, is a member of FIFA and UEFA, Greenland is considered part of Denmark for the purposes of international football.
National team
One of the biggest moments in the island's footballing history came in 2001 when the national teamGreenland national football team
The Greenland national football team is the national team of Greenland and is controlled by the Football Association of Greenland. Although it has the same status as the Faroe Islands within the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland is not a member of FIFA nor of any continental confederation and therefore...
played a landmark fixture against a Tibet XI
Tibet national football team
The Tibet national football team is an association football controlled by the Tibetan National Football Association, an organizations of exiled Tibetans. The current manager is Kelsang Dhondup....
in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, the game went ahead despite great pressure by the Chinese Government
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
and FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
to have it called off.
Club Football
The Coca Cola GMCoca Cola GM
Coca Cola GM is the top football division in Greenland and it was created in 1958. Since 1971 it is organized by the Football Association of Greenland....
is the top football division in Greenland. First played in 1958 it has been organized by the Football Association of Greenland since 1971. The most successful club is Nagdlunguaq-48
Nagdlunguaq-48
Nagdlunguaq-48 is a sports club from Greenland based in Ilulissat. However, all league games are played in the national stadium in Nuuk.N-48 have been national football champions for the last two seasons...
who have won the competition on ten occasions.
There has also been a campaign in recent years to enter a Greenland team into the Danish Superliga
Danish Superliga
The Danish Superliga is the current Danish football championship tournament, and administered by the Danish Football Association. It is the highest association football league in Denmark and is currently contested by 12 teams each year, with 2 teams to be relegated, which proves to be one of the...
.