Zanzibar, which is composed of two larger islands (Unguja and Pemba) and a few smaller islands, is located in the Indian Ocean, 25–50 kilometers (16–31 mi) off the coast of mainland Africa. Zanzibar had been a Sovereign State until its union with Tanganyika to form Tanzania in 1964. Zanzibar is however a semi autonomous state and has its own independent president, cabinet, parliament and jurisdiction.

Football, which is overseen by the Zanzibar Football Association, is the most popular sport in Zanzibar. The Zanzibar Football Association also has a Premier League for the top clubs and has a lower league for the under 10. It is the only under 10 lower league in East and Central Africa. Zanzibar is however only an associate member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) which means that the Zanzibar national football team is not eligible to enter national CAF competitions, such as the African Nations Cup although Zanzibar's football clubs get representation at the CAF Confederation Cup and the CAF Champions League. The national team participates in non-FIFA international tournaments such as the FIFI Wild Cup, and the ELF Cup but has not been admitted as a member of FIFA following its applications in 2005 and 2011. Zanzibar’s national team is hence not eligible to play for the World Cup.

Zanzibar’s 2005 and 2011 requests for FIFA membership were rejected on the basis that it forms part of a union with Tanganyika and is not a sovereign state. Yet Article 10 paragraph 6 of FIFA’s Statutes recognizes the possibility of two football associations from one country being admitted by FIFA, where one part of that country has not gained or is trying to gain independence. This is the situation with Zanzibar where there has been a struggle to break off from the union with Tanganyika, and a petition for separation being imminent.

Due to the political and economic conditions, Zanzibar is facing a rise substance abuse amongst the youth. FIFA membership will give these young people hope and aspiration to help curb this drug problem.

Zanzibar have a long and honorable history and civilization behind us. Like so many of the great peoples of the world, our roots are sprung from many different sources, from Africa primarily, but also from Arabia, from the civilization of Asia, Persia, from India and from many others. 

The Europeans in their great voyages of exploration found succor and sustenance on our shores. And men of ...many races found rest and stability in our islands from where to organize the exploration and development of Central and Eastern Africa. It is due to these roots established over centuries, the mixing of so many cultures that make us proud of our reputation for moderation and friendliness. 

While in the modern world, we do not intend looking back to our past, it is this tradition on which we intend to build our future.

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