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The player had expressed desire to represent Kenya, but it appears that Somalia has beaten Kenya to the punch with this unexpected call-up.
Somalia's national football team, the Ocean Stars, has sprung a surprise by including Kenyan-born defender Abdi Salim in their squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Salim, who currently plies his trade with Orlando City in the Major Soccer League (MLS), expressed his desire to represent Kenya in international football, but it appears that Somalia has beaten Kenya to the punch with this unexpected call-up.
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In a message that caught the attention of both Kenyan and Somali football enthusiasts, Salim congratulated the Kenya national team, Harambee Stars, on their recent 2-1 victory over Qatar in an international friendly.
“ Congratulations to the Kenya national team for their recent victory against Qatar and hopefully I will join you soon,” he said.
This decision has added an intriguing twist to the player's international future, leaving fans curious about whether Salim will choose to honor Somalia's call-up or continue to await a potential Kenyan call.
Born in Nairobi, Kenya, Salim spent his early years in the Dagahaley refugee camp in Dadaab, where his family had sought asylum before his birth. In 2003, Salim's parents were granted a visa to the United States, and the family relocated there.
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Salim's talent for soccer began to flourish during his time in the USA. In 2019, he commenced his college soccer career with the Buffalo State Bengals, a Division III program at Buffalo State University.
He later joined the Syracuse Orange before making the leap to play for the USL League Two side Ocean City Nor'easters in May 2022. His meteoric rise continued when he was selected in the first round (17th overall) of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by Orlando City.
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Following a successful preseason with the club, he inked a one-year contract with an option to extend for a further three years on February 14, 2023.
Somalia, now armed with the talent of Abdi Salim, faces a challenging journey in Group G of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
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Their group includes formidable opponents such as Algeria, Guinea, Uganda, Mozambique, and Botswana.
The Ocean Stars will kick off their qualification campaign with a match against Algeria on November 13, followed by a showdown with Uganda on November 20.
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As Abdi Salim's international allegiance hangs in the balance, the footballing world watches with bated breath. Will he choose to represent the land of his birth, Kenya, or open a chapter with Somalia's Ocean Stars?
Regardless of his decision, the inclusion of this talented Kenyan-born defender in Somalia's squad has undoubtedly added an exciting dimension to the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.
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