Hany Mukhtar: A Bridge to Sudan’s Footballing Future, Rooted in a Father's Dream
Abdulmalik Hisham Elgizouli
As the Sudan National Football Team sits atop its group in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, a new sense of hope is stirring among Sudanese football fans. With the prospect of qualification for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the team’s ambitions have never felt more within reach. Among the many dreams tied to Sudan's football renaissance is the possibility of Hany Mukhtar, an exceptional talent with Sudanese roots, joining the national team and helping propel the country to new heights on the international stage.
Mukhtar, a German-born footballer of Sudanese descent, currently stars in Major League Soccer (MLS) with Nashville SC, where his creativity, skill, and leadership have made him one of the league’s most influential players. But for many Sudanese fans, Mukhtar represents more than just an international success story—he symbolizes a bridge between Sudan’s footballing past and a promising future, one that could see the nation secure a place among the world’s footballing elite.
A Dual Identity, Rooted in Sudanese Pride Hany Mukhtar’s story is one that intertwines two worlds. Born in Berlin to a Sudanese father and a German mother, he was raised in a multicultural environment that shaped both his character and his football career. Despite building a professional career in Europe and the United States, Mukhtar’s connection to Sudan has always remained strong, largely thanks to his father’s deep love for his homeland.
Mukhtar’s father, who sadly passed away last year, held a lifelong dream of seeing his son represent Sudan on the international stage. For him, it was not just about football but about honoring the family’s heritage and contributing to Sudan’s sporting legacy. This dream is now shared by countless Sudanese fans, who see Mukhtar as a player who could lead the national team to long-awaited glory.
Mukhtar’s Footballing Brilliance
In MLS, Hany Mukhtar has become synonymous with creativity, vision, and leadership. As a versatile attacking midfielder, he has the ability to control the pace of a match, break down defenses, and score decisive goals. His career spans elite competition, with stints in Germany’s Bundesliga and Portugal’s Primeira Liga, and he is now Nashville SC’s most valuable player. His tactical intelligence and goal-scoring ability have earned him widespread acclaim and make him a player of international quality.
For Sudan, a team with renewed ambitions on the road to the 2026 World Cup, Mukhtar’s potential inclusion would be a gamechanger. His technical prowess, combined with his experience in high-pressure environments, could provide the leadership and skill the team needs to secure qualification and compete at the highest level. With Sudan currently leading its World Cup qualifying group, the dream of seeing Mukhtar don the national team jersey has never felt more timely—or more important.
Mukhtar’s father, who sadly passed away last year, held a lifelong dream of seeing his son represent Sudan on the international stage. For him, it was not just about football but about honoring the family’s heritage and contributing to Sudan’s sporting legacy. This dream is now shared by countless Sudanese fans, who see Mukhtar as a player who could lead the national team to long-awaited glory.
Mukhtar’s Footballing Brilliance
In MLS, Hany Mukhtar has become synonymous with creativity, vision, and leadership. As a versatile attacking midfielder, he has the ability to control the pace of a match, break down defenses, and score decisive goals. His career spans elite competition, with stints in Germany’s Bundesliga and Portugal’s Primeira Liga, and he is now Nashville SC’s most valuable player. His tactical intelligence and goal-scoring ability have earned him widespread acclaim and make him a player of international quality.
For Sudan, a team with renewed ambitions on the road to the 2026 World Cup, Mukhtar’s potential inclusion would be a gamechanger. His technical prowess, combined with his experience in high-pressure environments, could provide the leadership and skill the team needs to secure qualification and compete at the highest level. With Sudan currently leading its World Cup qualifying group, the dream of seeing Mukhtar don the national team jersey has never felt more timely—or more important.
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Navigating German Nationality Laws and International Allegiance One of the primary concerns when discussing Mukhtar’s potential future with Sudan’s national team is the impact on his German nationality. Germany operates under a principle of single nationality, meaning that in many cases, individuals are not allowed to hold dual citizenship unless they meet specific criteria. However, playing for Sudan would not necessarily result in Mukhtar losing his German nationality, as the country allows certain exemptions, especially when dual citizenship arises by birth. As Mukhtar was born with both German and Sudanese nationality, he would likely not be at risk of losing his German citizenship, even if he represents Sudan internationally. Under German law, Mukhtar would not need to renounce his German citizenship to play for Sudan, provided that his dual nationality was acquired at birth and not through naturalization. This distinction is important because it means Mukhtar can represent Sudan while maintaining his legal ties to Germany, where he has spent much of his professional career. However, changing his football allegiance from Germany to Sudan is a more complex process, governed by FIFA’s rules on nationality and eligibility. Mukhtar previously represented Germany in youth competitions, which means that a formal request must be made to FIFA to switch his national allegiance. The Procedure for Switching Allegiance For Mukhtar to become eligible to play for Sudan at the senior level, the Sudan Football Association (SFA) would need to follow FIFA’s protocol for changing a player’s international allegiance. Under Article 9 of the FIFA Statutes, a player who has represented one country at youth level may apply for a one-time switch, provided they meet certain conditions. These include: 1. Eligible Citizenship: Mukhtar holds Sudanese citizenship, which is a fundamental requirement for the switch. 2. Age and Competitive Matches: Since Mukhtar has only represented Germany at youth level and not in senior competitive matches, he is eligible to apply for the change. 3. Formal Application: The SFA would need to submit a formal application to FIFA on Mukhtar’s behalf, outlining his dual nationality and his desire to represent Sudan. This process typically includes documentation proving his Sudanese citizenship and his previous appearances for Germany at the youth level. This procedural pathway is straightforward in Mukhtar’s case, given his dual nationality and lack of senior-level involvement with Germany. However, the timing and completion of the application would be crucial, as Sudan’s World Cup qualification campaign advances. With the national team’s strong position in their group, Mukhtar’s swift integration could be a critical asset in the quest for qualification to the 2026 World Cup. A Dream That Transcends Football The dream of seeing Mukhtar represent Sudan on the global stage is deeply personal, not only for the player but for the entire nation. For Mukhtar’s father, it was a lifelong aspiration that now carries even greater significance after his passing. For Sudanese football fans, it represents the hope of a resurgence, a return to the days when Sudan was a dominant force in African football. Mukhtar’s potential involvement with the national team would resonate far beyond the pitch. His presence would serve as a symbol of national pride, demonstrating that Sudanese talent can compete on the world’s biggest stages. It would also inspire future generations of young Sudanese footballers to pursue their dreams and see their heritage as a source of strength and possibility. A Key Moment in Sudan’s Footballing History Sudan’s current success in World Cup qualifying has revitalized the nation’s footballing hopes. As the team sits atop its group, the possibility of making it to the 2026 World Cup feels tantalizingly close. This moment in history could be further enriched by the presence of a player like Hany Mukhtar, whose international experience and connection to Sudan would provide a muchneeded boost in both morale and technical quality. The Sudanese Football Association, buoyed by the team’s success in the qualifiers, understands the importance of nurturing this momentum. The inclusion of a player of Mukhtar’s caliber would not only raise the team’s competitive profile but also draw attention to Sudan’s footballing potential on the global stage. A Future Full of Promise For now, Hany Mukhtar continues to shine in MLS, but Sudanese football fans watch closely, hopeful that he will one day choose to fulfill his father’s dream and represent Sudan in what could be the most important chapter in the nation’s footballing history. His inclusion in the national team could provide the spark that Sudan needs to cement its place in the 2026 World Cup and beyond. In a country where football remains the heartbeat of national pride, Mukhtar’s story holds the potential to unite generations, inspire future talent, and bring Sudan one step closer to achieving its footballing dreams. Should Mukhtar choose to wear the Sudanese jersey, it would be a moment not just of personal significance but of profound national pride—honoring his father’s legacy and guiding Sudan toward a future of footballing success.