Arsenal Football Club, founded in 1886 in Islington, North London, has a massive and unexpected fanbase in South Sudan. One might wonder about the correlation between a premier London club and a country in East Africa, but the connection is deep.
When it comes to football and sports in general, many Africans are very passionate, often becoming lifelong lovers of the game and passing it down to their children. Amongst these supporters, the Dinka tribe stands out. While they are known for being the tallest people in the world, they also have a reputation for their loyalty to Arsenal. For many Dinka people, the club is not just a team they support; it is a part of their community identity.
@dnzh.travels 🇸🇸 This African tribe is obsessed with Arsenal. Meet the Dinka people of South Sudan, who make up 35% of the country’s population and are known for being some of the tallest on the planet. I had the lucky chance to experience daily life with them in one of their remote cattle camps. While football is loved here, wrestling is their main sport and is taken very seriously. Interestingly, we found that fighters have ultras who use European club logos as their badges! 😅 #travel #arsenal #southsudan #sudan #dinka
♬ African Epic Cinematic – EyeForMusic
A travel blogger known as Dnzh Travels recently visited a Dinka settlement and was struck by the presence of the club’s symbols. Even though they are pastoral people, he noticed poles with the Arsenal flag flying high above their camps. Even in remote areas, the red and white colours of the Gunners are a common sight.
In early 2026, this passion was evident; hundreds of Arsenal fans in South Sudan wore their Arsenal jerseys and organised a march past to celebrate the club’s potential Premier League title win this season after 23 years. This public display of hope proves that the love for football is beyond borders. From North London to South Sudan, the love of the Dinka tribe for Arsenal runs deep.
SEE ALSO: Meet the African Tribes With the Tallest People in the World
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