East Turkistan FA

Matchday 1 is complete!

The opening day of the East Turkistan Freedom Cup delivered exciting football, close matches, and a great start to the tournament.

Swipe to see the Matchday 1 results and the updated standings.

Who impressed you the most?

The journey begins! Here is the teams for the group stage.

We’ll be posting the updated standings after each matchday, so stay tuned to follow every result and see who moves closer to the title.

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Paris, here we come. 🇫🇷

The East Turkistan Freedom Cup returns from 7–12 July. Six days of football, unity, and community as teams from around the world come together to celebrate our culture and our shared identity.

See you in Paris. 🤍🩵

Global Football Voices

East Turkistan Captain Proud Despite Heartbreaking Freedom Cup Final Defeat

East Turkistan’s dream of lifting the Freedom Cup came to a painful end after a narrow 1–0 defeat to Tibet in a closely contested final. Despite the disappointment, the team’s captain believes the experience will serve as a valuable stepping stone for a young squad with a bright future.
“It was a very tight and tough final,” the captain reflected after the match. “Losing in that way is difficult to accept, but we choose to focus on the positives and use this experience to work even harder moving forward.”
The decisive moment came when Tibet capitalized on their momentum and converted a crucial opportunity. East Turkistan, meanwhile, were unable to do the same when their chances arrived.
“They took their chance when they had momentum, and we didn’t,” he said. “In the end, that was the difference. It felt like one of those matches where whoever scored first was going to win.”
Although the result was heartbreaking, the captain was full of praise for his teammates. East Turkistan entered the tournament with a young squad that had trained together only twice before the competition began.
“We have a very young team, but everyone gave their best,” he explained. “Some players were carrying injuries and still played for the badge. Nobody gave up, and that’s something to be proud of.”
The team’s preparation for the final was professional and thorough, despite several players struggling with injuries and fatigue. The captain emphasized that preparation was not the reason behind the defeat.
“We prepared very well,” he said. “Football also comes down to mentality on the pitch, and for many of our young players this was valuable experience.”
Following the final whistle, the message in the dressing room was clear.
“We should be proud of ourselves and keep our heads up.”
Tibet’s defensive discipline played a major role in securing victory. Their organization and work ethic made it difficult for East Turkistan to create clear-cut opportunities.
“They played for each other, worked harder than us, and showed great defensive character,” the captain admitted. “They were disciplined and difficult to break down.”
As captain, he sees it as his responsibility to help the squad process the disappointment and focus on the positives.
“We won our first match but lost the last one—that’s football,” he said. “The important thing is helping the younger players learn from this experience and come back stronger.”
Despite falling short in the final, the Freedom Cup campaign strengthened the bonds within the squad.
“We built great chemistry and became very close throughout the tournament,” he said. “The biggest lesson is that we are stronger together.”
When asked which players stood out during the competition, the captain highlighted Farmin, who wore the number 11 shirt, and promising youngster Subat.
“Farmin really impressed me. I’ve always seen him as a very talented player,” he said. “Subat also showed great potential with his physical presence and technical ability.”
The support from fans and the wider East Turkistan community was another major source of motivation throughout the tournament.
“The support means everything to us,” he said. “The fans can truly be our 12th player, and we’re grateful to everyone who came and supported us.”
Looking ahead, the captain believes the team must improve its mentality and become more clinical in key moments if it wants to win future tournaments. Long-term, the vision is clear: invest in youth development, continue building the squad, and compete in stronger competitions.
“There are many talented young players coming through, especially in the U15 age group,” he revealed. “Hopefully, in the coming years, we’ll see players representing us and making an impact in Europe.”
The defeat in the final will not define East Turkistan’s future. Instead, it will serve as motivation for the next challenge.
“We’ll use this experience to work harder, show character, and be role models for the younger generation,” the captain said.
With several talented players unavailable for this year’s tournament, he is confident the team can return even stronger.
“We know we have quality in the squad,” he concluded. “With everyone available, we believe we can become an even tougher team to play against in the next Freedom Cup.”
For East Turkistan, the pain of defeat remains fresh. Yet beneath the disappointment lies optimism that this young and ambitious team is only at the beginning of its journey.

A nation cannot be erased. A people cannot be silenced. End the genocide in East Turkistan.

Freedom Cup 2026 📸💙

A tournament full of memories, pride, and unforgettable moments.

Thank you for your support every step of the way.

Freedom Cup 2026

​📢 VENEZ NOMBREVENIR NOUS SOUTENIR !
​📅 Quand ? Du 8 au 11 Juillet 2026
📍 Où ? Centre Sportif Jules Ladoumègue, Paris 19e
🎟️ Entrée libre !

UID Paris Bölgesi Teşekkürler ederiz, iyi ki varsınız

Association des Ouïghours de France
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