Football in the Holy See: New season is ready to begin in the Vatican after the previous campaign was interrupted

Nieuws

The 2025-26 Vatican League is due to start in November with organisers hoping for an upturn in the number of entries after the previous season was disrupted by the death of Pope Francis.

First staged in the early 1970s, the competition for workers and residents of the Vatican City - the world's smallest state - has featured as many as 11 sides in the past. The 2024-25 season was delayed for a period of mourning and games got underway in March but the number of entrants was reduced to eight with famous names missing, such as the side from the Swiss Guard.

Nicola Vignola, president of the Vatican League, explains:

"This year, unfortunately for the championship, several teams dropped out due to their active participation in the Catholic Church's Universal Jubilee. Consequently, in order not to miss their commitments, they decided not to participate."

Entrants last season included Dirseco, which represents the Directorate of the Economy at the Vatican State, and sides drawn from the Apostolic Archives (Archivio), the Museum (Musei) and the Pharmacy (Farmacia).

Teams also took part from Collegio Urbano, the Catholic seminary set up in 1627 to train priests, and the Association of Saints Peter and Paul (Ass.SS.PP), the Pontifical Sistine Chapel Choir (Coro Sistina), and the Primary Catholic Artistic-Workers Association (PACAO).

Most matches are played at the picturesque Cavalieri di Colombo Pio XI Sports Centre, which is just outside the Vatican. The 11-a-side pitch has spectacular views of St Peter's Dome, but the format can vary.

"Regarding league matches, we adapt based on the needs of the registered teams - in recent years, the league has been 5-a-side", adds Mr Vignola. "League matches are usually played every Monday and Tuesday from November to June, depending on the Holy Father's commitments."

After seven rounds, Archivio topped the regular season table and advanced to the play-offs where they edged out fourth-placed Musei on penalties. In the other semi, Farmacia saw off a side drawn from the Association of Saints Peter and Paul. In June's final, Archivio beat Farmacia 7-2 to complete the double after beating Dirseco 4-1 in the final of the annual cup competition, the Coppa Vaticano, on February 26.

The Vatican also fields a representative side, which plays ad hoc games including a number of matches against Monaco, another European micro-state whose tiny population makes UEFA membership and full international participation unlikely. The last matches were against German amateur side KSV Johannisthal, who were thumped 7-1 in Rome in 2023 but won the return in Berlin last year, 3-2. A women's team also played their first game in 2019, although they have only played three more times since then.

For now, no more games are currently scheduled for either the men or women.

Mr Vignola says: "Our sporting commitments are tied to each of our work and family commitments. We nurture this passion for football, but the human aspect comes first, so we consider invitations to participate in sports events on a case-by-case basis."

Instead, the Vatican sports society are concentrating on the next league season, which is scheduled to kick off in November.

Words by Steve Menary.