This African country is located in the Nile Valley in the northern part of Africa. The Republic of South Sudan declared their independence from Sudan on July 9th, 2011.

Sudan is the birthplace of many ancient civilizations, each with their own sports, but in modern times the most popular sports in this region of the world is football as well as athletics, track and field to be specific. Other sports that are also rising in popularity include basketball, handball and volleyball.

Sudan has long been involved in football. As a matter of fact, Sudan is one of the founders of African football along with Ethiopia, Egypt and South Africa. In 1956, Sudan hosted the African Cup of Nations and won it in 1970. Sudan is also the home of the Khartoum League, known as the oldest league in Africa. Some of the most recognizable footballers from Sudan include Al-Hilal and El-Merreikh.

"Sudan's role as one of the four founding nations of African football, alongside Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Africa, makes it one of the most historically significant football nations on the continent."
— Robert J. Wood, sports researcher at Topend Sports

Did You Know?

The Khartoum League is recognized as the oldest football league in Africa, predating many European leagues in organized competition.

Sudan at the FIFA World Cup →

Below are details of sports, sporting events and sports people related to Sudan. Is there something missing? If you know of something that should be listed here, please let us know.

Popular Sports of Sudan

  • Football (Soccer), Track and Field, handball, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, horse racing, stick fighting, camel racing, archery

Pro Tip: When exploring Sudanese sports culture, look beyond football and athletics. Traditional sports like Nuba wrestling and camel racing offer fascinating insights into Sudan's diverse cultural heritage and are celebrated at regional festivals throughout the country.

"Sudan's traditional sports like wrestling, stick fighting, and camel racing reflect the country's diverse cultural heritage spanning ancient Nubian civilizations."
— Robert Wood, founder of Topend Sports

Sudan Sporting Success

  • Sudan won the African Cup Of Nations in 1970.
  • Sudan won one silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
  • Atalena Napule Gaspore Loliha won South Sudan's first-ever gold medal at the African Games. She secured victory in the women's half marathon at the 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana, in March 2024
Year Achievement Sport
1956 Hosted the first Africa Cup of Nations Football
1970 Won the Africa Cup of Nations Football
2008 Silver medal at Beijing Olympics (Ismail Ahmed Ismail, 800m) Track and Field
2024 Gold medal at 13th African Games (Loliha, half marathon) Track and Field

Olympic Milestone

Ismail Ahmed Ismail's silver medal in the 800m at the 2008 Beijing Olympics was the first Olympic medal ever won by a Sudanese athlete.

Sudan Olympic History →

Great Athletes from Sudan

  • Ismail Ahmed Ismail (track and field) — the first Sudanese athlete to win an Olympic medal when he came 2nd in the men's 800m race at the 2008 Olympic Games.
  • Al-Hilal (football)
  • El-Merreikh (football)
  • Atalena Napule Gaspore Loliha (track and field)
  • Manute Bol (basketball)

Pro Tip: Football fans visiting Sudan should know that matches between Al-Hilal and El-Merreikh are among the most passionate derbies in African football, drawing massive crowds and intense support from both sets of fans.

Sudan Sports Trivia

  • The nickname of the Sudanese football team is Sokoor Al-Jediane, meaning the Desert Hawks
  • Sudan first competed at the Olympic Games in 1960.
  • Sudan was one of the four African nations — the others being Egypt, Ethiopia and South Africa — which formed African football.
"Sudan's athletic programs, particularly in track and field, have produced internationally competitive athletes despite the challenges facing the nation's sporting infrastructure."
— Robert Wood, PhD, sports performance researcher

Sudan at Major Events

African Football Pioneer

Sudan was one of just four nations that founded African football, hosting the first-ever Africa Cup of Nations in 1956.

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Past Sporting Events Hosted in Sudan

  • Sudan hosted the first African Cup of Nations in 1956

Upcoming Sporting Events in Sudan

  • ITTF-Africa East Regional Championships 2026 — This event will be held from May 19-22, 2026 in Port Sudan.

Annual Sporting Events Held in Sudan

  • Khartoum League (football)
  • The Sudan Premier League
  • CASCO (Caucus Sports and Cultural Olympics) Wrestling Tournament
  • The Sudanese National Swimming Championship

Sporting Facilities in Sudan

  • Al-Hilal Stadium
  • Almourada Stadium
  • Khartoum Stadium
  • Stade Al-Amal Atbara