Comoros became FIFA's 207th member association upon affiliation on 12 December 2005 and are the youngest members of the African football family (CAF).

They made their FIFA World Cup ™ qualifying debut less than two years later, playing in a preliminary round tie against near neighbours Madagascar but were given a rude introduction to the rigours of international football on the wrong side of a massive 10-2 aggregate scoreline.

The two-legged tie also marked the first time international football had been played at the stadium in the capital Moroni, which has had artificial turf installed as part of FIFA's 'Win in Africa with Africa' programme.

Madagascar beat the Comoros 6-2 in the first leg of the tie in Antananarivo and despite coach Ali Mbae Camara almost changing his entire team for the return leg in Moroni, the Comoros lost again, going down 4-0 at home.

The country's football association was set up under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in 1979, and underwent a major transformation in 1984, when the clubs of the three islands met at a general assembly to elect a President and an executive committee of nine members.

But despite having the best intentions, the Comorian government has struggled to help the development of football in the country. Indeed, for a number of years now, it has been thanks to the work of Salim Tourki (elected in 1997 and re-elected in 2000 and 2004) that Comoros' footballing infrastructure and a certain level of competitiveness have been maintained.

As a full-fledged member of the global football community, Comoros have also participated in recent regional events in east Africa and in the early stages of the Arab Nations Cup.