The sport is governed by the Sahrawi Football Federation (FSF), which is a member of ConIFA, an organisation for non-FIFA-affiliated nations.

The SADR, which was proclaimed by the Polisario Front, a liberation movement that fought against Morocco, also claimed sovereignty over the territory and established a government-in-exile in Tindouf Province, Algeria.

The FSF runs the Western Sahara national football team, which represents the SADR in international competitions.

Due to pressure from Morocco, the hosts of the tournament, Kurdistan didn't display the Sahrawi flag for the competition.

[5] The FSF also organises friendly matches with other non-FIFA-affiliated teams, such as Galicia, Darfur, Esperanto and UGA Ardeiv.