The Football Federation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) is set to be formally launched in Algiers, with a high-profile sporting programme planned to accompany the announcement.
The creation of the new federation will be marked by a gala match on Friday at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki, where a selection of former Algerian internationals will face the Sahrawi national team in an event intended to symbolise sporting cooperation and solidarity.
Kick-off is scheduled for 4:30pm.
Among the former Algerian players expected to take part is Africa Cup of Nations winner Djamel Belamri, alongside other familiar names from the national team’s recent history.
They will line up against a Sahrawi side largely made up of players currently active in the lower divisions of Spanish football, reflecting the diaspora-based structure of the team.
The organisers say the event is designed not only to celebrate the establishment of the SADR Football Federation but also to give greater visibility to Sahrawi football on the international stage.
A press conference will be held on Thursday at 10:00am at the Mazafran Hotel in Zéralda, where further details of the gala match and the broader objectives of the initiative are expected to be presented.
According to the organisers, the creation of the federation forms part of “Algeria’s ongoing solidarity and support for the authorities and people of Western Sahara, who have been engaged for over half a century in their struggle for independence.”
The statement underlines the political and symbolic dimension attached to the sporting event, which goes beyond football alone.
The choice of the Nelson Mandela Stadium as the venue is also significant, with the modern arena increasingly used for matches and ceremonies with a continental or international focus.
Officials involved in the project believe the setting will help draw attention to the occasion and reinforce the message of support being conveyed.
This will not be the first time such an initiative has taken place in Algiers.
A similar event is planned for 2023 at the same stadium in Baraki, continuing a series of symbolic sporting gatherings linked to the Sahrawi cause.
Previous appearances by the Western Sahara national team in Algeria have attracted interest, including a past fixture against MC Alger.
For the Sahrawi players, Friday’s match offers rare exposure in a large stadium and the opportunity to compete against experienced former internationals.
For the organisers, it represents a public starting point for the SADR Football Federation, which aims to structure and promote football activities under its banner.
As preparations continue, attention now turns to Thursday’s press conference, where organisers are expected to clarify the federation’s short- and long-term ambitions, as well as the role football is expected to play in advancing its visibility.
