From the Brink of Extinction to Global Recognition

Go back two years ago today — football in the Maldives was on the brink of extinction.

A FIFA suspension was looming over the horizon, not because of third-party interference, as seen in many other nations, but for something far worse: the mismanagement of FIFA funding. Under the administration led by former FAM President Bassam Adeel Jaleel and his close associates, funds intended for the development of Maldivian football were allegedly misused for personal gain and lavish lifestyles, rather than for the betterment of the game.

Fortunately — or rather, thankfully — the Maldives managed to avoid a FIFA suspension. Credit must be given to the Government of Maldives and the FIFA-appointed Normalization Committee for their role in amending the statutes and guiding the Football Association of Maldives toward a proper election within the one-year normalization period.

Fast forward to today, and we are now less than two months away from marking one year under the current FAM administration led by former national player Ahmed Thariq. Despite inheriting a federation damaged financially and reputationally by the previous administration, football is not only back in the Maldives — it is flourishing once again.

The Dhivehi Premier League resumed in September 2025, while women’s football returned in December 2025 after nearly a decade since the last women’s tournament organized by FAM. The FA Cup and President’s Cup also made their long-awaited returns, restoring all major top-division competitions.

One of the biggest overhauls introduced by the new administration has been the revamped Atoll Championship structure, featuring regional leagues and a clear pathway for island-based clubs to reach the Dhivehi Premier League. Supported through FIFA funding as a pilot initiative, the project has helped revive football across the islands. Despite the challenges facing Maldivian football, more than 40 islands participated in the Atoll Championship, with participation numbers expected to rise further next season.

To date, more than 100 matches have been played across the islands, including 52 matches in the Atoll Championship alone — a milestone rarely achieved in the past. Next season, at least one of the ten Dhivehi Premier League clubs will come from an island, with the possibility of that number rising to as many as three.

In less than a year since the July election, Maldivian football has witnessed remarkable growth under the new administration. More importantly, the game is no longer limited to the capital; it is being played and developed across every corner of the country. In total, more than 300 official matches have been played nationwide, with over 100 of those taking place in the islands.

Alongside football, FAM’s support for futsal has also begun yielding positive results. From winning the inaugural SAFF Futsal Championship in Thailand earlier this year to officially recognizing the Club Maldives Cup and the 18/30 Women’s Futsal Fiesta — both organized by private tournament organizer Club Maldives — as the country’s top-tier futsal competitions, the progress has been encouraging. The launch of the nation’s first-ever nationwide futsal tournament this July will see FAM take full responsibility for futsal development, a significant step toward giving the sport its rightful place in the Maldives.

Football in the Maldives is clearly moving in the right direction, regardless of the pace. FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s visit last year was a strong indication of the trust and backing the world governing body has placed in the current FAM administration.

Despite ongoing operational and financial challenges, it is encouraging to see football once again being played nationwide. There is still much work to be done, but the recognition and support from global governing bodies such as FIFA and AFC are clear signs that the game in the Maldives is heading in the right direction.