Greenland‘s bid to join Concacaf has become more than a sporting ambition. Still in limbo after UEFA turned the territory away, its application is caught in a tangle of international politics. President Trump has renewed his calls for the U.S. to annex Greenland, which remains under Danish sovereignty. He insists it’s a matter of national security. As if that weren’t enough, Vice President JD Vance is set to visit Greenland on Friday, raising eyebrows among locals and fueling speculation about American motives.
Greenlandic players and coaches say they just want a seat at world soccer’s table. Last month, Football Association of Greenland (KAK) representatives headed to Miami’s Concacaf headquarters to kickstart the discussion. “This is a historic step for us,” national team coach Morten Rutkjaer said in a statement shared by the Football Association of Greenland. “We’ve worked hard, and I’m convinced that this will inspire our players and strengthen our soccer culture.”
Those words ring true on the island, where soccer is played on pitches often carpeted with snow. The local league lasts only a week in August, and most training is held in cramped indoor facilities. Yet the passion in Nuuk and other towns is intense. “It’s very important for me that the youth and young people in Greenland have something to look forward to,” Rutkjaer told BBC Sport in May 2024. “They have to dream big.”
Greenland in limbo: UEFA says no, Concacaf is silent, and Trump eyes annexation
Concacaf’s invitation to talks this year gave Greenland’s federation fresh hope. Membership would allow the men’s and women’s teams to compete in official tournaments, including future World Cup qualifiers. The territory’s population of around 56,000 is larger than a few existing Concacaf members, so there’s a belief Greenland could hold its own against smaller nations in the region.
But the looming presence of U.S. officials has complicated everything. Critics in Greenland’s caretaker government have denounced the timing of Vice President Vance’s trip, calling it a ploy to exert influence over negotiations. There’s a sense that political maneuvering could overshadow the sporting dream.
Coach Rutkjaer insists it’s crucial to separate politics from the pitch. He’s suggested that any outside support would help Greenland build its infrastructure, regardless of politics. Federation head Kenneth Kleist shares that sentiment, hoping Trump’s alleged annexation talks prompt Denmark to invest more heavily in the territory.
“We have no real infrastructure, with cities not connected with the roads and there are a lot of difficulties to be managed, but we have to be positive because we have to do something big in this country,” said Kleist. “There’s a lot of possibilities for air domes and we are [talking] with the government.”
For now, the application remains pending. Concacaf has remained silent on the specifics, and America’s audacity only adds a surreal backdrop to the story. Meanwhile, Greenlanders wait to see if their national team will get its long-awaited shot at official competition.
