Zanzibar is one of the few places that is part of a continental governance body, CAF in this case, but not part of FIFA. They have tried to join FIFA in the past, but have not been admitted, yet, and are unlikely to be admitted anytime soon. But things do get even more weird, thanks to that status. The United Republic of Tanzania is a union state of Tanganyika (aka mainland Tanzania) and Zanzibar, which also includes the second island of Pemba. As Zanzibar is not a member of FIFA, Zanzibari players thus regularly feature for the Tanzania national team, e.g. in the African Cup or the World Cup qualifiers. However, as Zanzibar is an independent member in CAF, Zanzibari players do play against (mainland) Tanzania in regional competitions like the CECAFA Cup. What makes things even more confusing is that Tanganyika is not playing under the name Tanganyika in the CECAFA Cup, but is named Tanzania. So, in CECAFA, Zanzibar is basically playing Tanzania, which does include Zanzibar, in CECAFA. Totally makes sense, huh? Welcome to FIFA!
Now that you are totally confused, let me add that this shirt came to me from Jens, who bought it straight in Zanzibar. It is the official and self-made shirt the team wore just briefly in 2019 for the CECAFA Cup. The "brand", if you want to call it that, thus is "Zanzibar". In other words: It is the perfect shirt for me and I am more than happy that I could get both, the home and the away shirt, from Jens for as little as 25€ each. Thanks, Jens!…
Zanzibar is one of the few places that is part of a continental governance body, CAF in this case, but not part of FIFA. They have tried to join FIFA in the past, but have not been admitted, yet, and are unlikely to be admitted anytime soon. But things do get even more weird, thanks to that status. The United Republic of Tanzania is a union state of Tanganyika (aka mainland Tanzania) and Zanzibar, which also includes the second island of Pemba. As Zanzibar is not a member of FIFA, Zanzibari players thus regularly feature for the Tanzania national team, e.g. in the African Cup or the World Cup qualifiers. However, as Zanzibar is an independent member in CAF, Zanzibari players do play against (mainland) Tanzania in regional competitions like the CECAFA Cup. What makes things even more confusing is that Tanganyika is not playing under the name Tanganyika in the CECAFA Cup, but is named Tanzania. So, in CECAFA, Zanzibar is basically playing Tanzania, which does include Zanzibar, in CECAFA. Totally makes sense, huh? Welcome to FIFA!
Now that you are totally confused, let me add that this shirt came to me from Jens, who bought it straight in Zanzibar. It is the official and self-made shirt the team wore just briefly in 2019 for the CECAFA Cup. The "brand", if you want to call it that, thus is "Zanzibar". In other words: It is the perfect shirt for me and I am more than happy that I could get both, the home and the away shirt, from Jens for as little as 25€ each. Thanks, Jens!…
