The Beautiful Game's Popularity In Brunei

Football is the most popular sport in Brunei, with a national team, the Brunei Darussalam, nicknamed The Wasps, that first joined FIFA in 1969. The sport is run by the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD), which has been working to grow women's football in the nation despite Sharia law prohibiting it. Brunei has a variety of football clubs, including the Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota (DPMM) FC, the Angkatan Kampong Setia (AKSE) Bersatu, and the Brunei Shell Recreation Club (BSRC) FC. The Brunei Super League is the country's highest-level domestic football league.

Football is the most popular sport in Brunei

The country has a range of football clubs, including the Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota (DPMM) FC, who previously competed in the Singapore S.League, and the Brunei Shell Recreation Club (BSRC) FC. Brunei has also hosted regional tournaments, such as the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy for ASEAN Youth Football Championship, which debuted in 2002 and is held annually in the country.

Football is a passion for many in Brunei, and the country has invested in developing the necessary infrastructure to support the sport. In 2005, the FABD constructed its headquarters in Bandar Seri Begawan, and in 2013, it installed an artificial turf pitch and a natural pitch. The association also applied to FIFA for the construction of a technical centre and mini grandstand, which was approved in 2021. These developments provide a strong foundation for the sport's growth in the country.

While men's football takes centre stage, it is important to note that women's football in Brunei faces challenges due to Sharia law prohibiting women from playing. Despite this, there is a clear interest in the sport among women, and efforts are being made to promote its growth. For example, Lorrie Fair and Amy Griffin, former United States women's soccer internationals, visited Brunei in 2023 to discuss the development of women's football with the FABD.

The Brunei national football team

Association football is the most popular sport in Brunei. The Brunei national football team, nicknamed "The Wasps", represents the country in international football. The team was founded in 1959 and joined FIFA in 1969. The Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) controls the national team and is the governing body for football in the country.

The Brunei State Football Amateur Association was formed in 1956, and in 1993, the word "Amateur" was dropped, changing the name to the Brunei Football Association. Brunei's experience of international football has mostly been restricted to regional Asian competitions, such as the Southeast Asian Games and the AFF Championship. The team has entered the FIFA World Cup qualifiers only four times, failing to qualify on each occasion. They have had more success in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, entering the third round for the first time via the play-off round in 2024.

The national team's first appearance was during the 1972 AFC Asian Cup qualification, where they were unable to qualify. In 1979, Brunei entered a team to compete in the professional Malaysian league. In 1999, they shocked everyone by lifting the Malaysia Cup. Brunei won their first and only Brunei Merdeka Games trophy in 1985. The team has struggled to qualify for or win any major tournaments since then. Their closest attempt was at the 1993 Philippines International Cup, where they came in third place.

In 2009, the Brunei Football Association was suspended due to governmental interference, which started with a decision by the Brunei authorities to dissolve the association. This suspension was lifted in 2011, and the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) was formed. The Wasps have continued to compete in international football, with their most recent match in October 2024 against Timor-Leste in the ASEAN Championship qualification.

Football clubs in Brunei

Association football is the most popular sport in Brunei. The Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) runs the sport in the country and the Brunei national football team represents Brunei in international football. The Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium is one of the major stadiums used for Brunei's league teams.

There are many football clubs in Brunei, including:

• Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota (DPMM) FC, which plays in the Singapore Premier League
• Angkatan Kampong Setia (AKSE) Bersatu
• Brunei Shell Recreation Club (BSRC) FC
• Majlis Sukan Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (MS ABDB)
• Majlis Sukan Pasukan Polis Diraja Brunei (MS PPDB)
• Persatuan Kampong Saba (Perkasa) FC, which plays in the Brunei Muara District League
• High Revolution (HR) FT, which plays in the Belait District League
• Persatuan Pemuda-Pemudi Melayu Lamunin (3PML) FC, which plays in the Tutong District League
• Belia Kampong Saba (BESA) FC
• Darussalam Soccer Players (DSP) United

Women's football is prohibited in Brunei

Association football is the most popular sport in Brunei. The Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) governs the sport in the country. Brunei has youth teams that compete in international competitions, such as the Brunei national under-23 football team, also known as the Brunei Olympic team, and the Brunei national under-17 football team. The Brunei national football team represents the country in international football for men.

Despite football's popularity in Brunei, the story is different for women. Women's football is prohibited in Brunei under the current Sharia law. While there is no official support for women's football in the country, female students at the Berakas International School are allowed to play within the school campus. There are also some women's futsal teams set up as regional representatives on occasion.

In 2005, Brunei was expected to field a women's football team to compete at the Southeast Asian Games in Marikina. However, as of 2006, there was no official senior or junior national team. The former president of the FABD, Pengiran Haji Matusin, has expressed a commitment to developing women's football in the country, stating that as a member of FIFA, the association has an obligation to develop football for both genders and all age groups. Despite the challenges, the FABD continues to work towards this goal.

The prohibition of women's football in Brunei has been a topic of discussion and controversy, with some arguing that it is not a matter of gender but rather passion and interest. There have been reports of women's futsal teams and female footballers in Brunei, even though it was banned. Some have suggested that the participation of female royals in football could help normalise the sport for women. However, there are still cultural and religious barriers to overcome, with some considering it a man's sport and citing concerns about appropriate attire and mixed-gender teams.

Brunei's football stadiums

Association football is the most popular sport in Brunei. The Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) runs the sport in the country and sanctions the Brunei Super League, the highest level of domestic football in the country. The Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium is the home ground of the Brunei National Football Team and the DPMM FC, which competes in the Singaporean Football League. The stadium, which opened in 1983, can seat 28,000 people and is located in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. It is a multi-purpose stadium that primarily hosts football matches and the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy. The stadium's construction cost an estimated $100 million Singaporean dollars, with the cost being partially funded by public donations.

The Berakas Sports Complex is another multi-use stadium in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, that is used for football matches, track and field, and other sports. The Track & Field Sports Complex is also located in Bandar Seri Begawan and is used for football matches and track and field events.

Other stadiums in Brunei include the Tutong Sports Complex, Batu Api Sports Complex, Jerudong Park Mini Stadium, Bolkiah Garrison Mini Stadium, and Hassanal Bolkiah Mini Stadium.

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