Desert fire: the world cup rebels of Kurdistan

The dreams of a stateless people seen through the eyes of the Kurdistan football team as they compete at the ‘rebel world cup’ for nations without an official homeland.

In summer 2016, an extraordinary tournament took place: football’s ‘rebel world cup for stateless nations, minority ethnic groups and unrecognised territories. This surreal and vibrant spectacle is viewed through the most fascinating team of the lot – Kurdistan.
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The film tells a gripping story of triumph and failure, separatism and unity, nationhood and exile, against the backdrop of the most colossal events of our times.​

Will they hold their nerve in a tournament that means far more to the Kurds than mere points on a scoreboard?

Commissioned for the Guardian Bertha documentary partnership

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