On Sunday (16 July) the Kernow FA confirmed their place in the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA) Men's World Cup in Kurdistan 2024.

Kernow Football Association (FA) hosted Sapmi at Bickland Park in Falmouth as part of Group A in the European Qualifiers. Kernow won the match 2-1 and now joins Raetia, Székely Land, and Chameria who have already booked their place in the other groups from Europe.

The match programme for the qualifier. (Image: Max Goodman/ Nub News)

The Kernow team was made up of players from different teams in Cornwall, although the Kernow FA is a non-FA aligned organisation that is completely separate to the Cornwall FA.

The squad included players from Mousehole, Liskeard Athletic, St Blazey, Wadebridge Town, Truro City, Launceston, Helston Athletic, and Falmouth Town.

Falmouth Town's captain James Ward also captained the Kernow team and lifted the trophy after leading the team to victory in a tough match.

Falmouth and Kernow captain with the qualifiers trophy. (Image: Max Goodman/Nub News)

Before the match, both sides lined up on the pitch and played their chosen 'national anthems'.

Jamie O'Neill(Facebook), a musician from Newquay, performed a rendition of 'Cornwall My Home' with players, staff, and fans all standing proudly.

The Sapmi team let off a flare during the 'national anthems'. Jamie O'Neill on the right performed Kernow's song. (Image: Max Goodman/ Nub News)

The Kernow side with their mascots and flag. (Image: Max Goodman/ Nub News)

As the rain cleared the match got underway, despite Sampi dominating the ball in the early stages the home crowd remained in good spirits with chants belting out from the Packet End.

Kernow fans in full voice. (Image: Max Goodman/ Nub News)

Sapmi were the stronger team in the first 20 minutes, but in a rare Kernow attack, Max Gilbert (Liskeard Athletic) opened the scoring with a deflected finish 10 minutes before halftime to give the home side a 1-0 lead at the break.

Kernow were on top in the second half and with just 10 minutes remaining Dan Jennings (Liskeard Athletic) put away a penalty to give the Cornish side a 2-0 lead.

Dan Jennings sent the keeper the wrong way and doubled Kernows lead. (Image: Max Goodman/Nub News)

With not long left in the match Tuomas Leppakangas pulled one back for the Sami people, but it wasn't enough and the game ended 2-1 to Kernow.

The whole team celebrated with the home fans before lifting the specially-made qualifying trophy and confirming their place in the 2024 CONIFA Mens World Cup in Kurdistan.

The players and staff headed to the fans to celebrate. (Image: Max Goodman/Nub News)

You can see more videos and photos from the match on the Falmouth Nub News Facebook page.

For updates on the tournament, you can go to the CONIFA website or follow them on social media: CONIFA Twitter, Facebook, CONIFA Instagram.

You can also follow Kernow to keep track of their progress in the build-up to the tournament: Facebook, Kernow FA Twitter