Sri Lanka's global football hunt: Can diaspora talent ignite new era?

SRI Lanka's football administrators are casting their net wide—very wide. With the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) actively scouting Sri Lankan-origin players around the globe, the island nation hopes to spark a long-awaited footballing revival.

- By HisHAN WELMILLA

The move reflects a growing trend across world football: small and emerging nations turning to their diaspora to strengthen national squads. And, judging by recent global success stories, it may be exactly what Sri Lanka needs.

Global blueprint that works

From Africa to Europe and beyond, national football teams have increasingly drawn strength from players born or raised abroad but tied to their heritage through blood, identity, and pride.

The most famous example in recent memory is Morocco, whose fairy-tale run to the semifinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup captivated millions. Nearly 70% of Morocco’s squad was born or developed overseas—including stars like Achraf Hakimi (Spain) and Hakim Ziyech (Netherlands). Their remarkable performance redefined what a united global team could achieve.

Senegal and Algeria have also embraced their diaspora with great success, winning the Africa Cup of Nations and competing fiercely on the world stage. Even powerhouses like France and England have reaped rewards from their multicultural talent pools, producing diverse squads that reflect modern global identities.

Cabo Verde example: Small nation, big dream

Perhaps the most inspiring recent example comes from Cabo Verde (Cape Verde)—a nation of just over half a million people that recently made history by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Their achievement, confirmed with a resounding 3-0 victory over Eswatini, makes Cabo Verde the second-smallest nation by population ever to reach the men’s World Cup, after Iceland.