Unified Governorates national football team
| Association | Benacian Institute of Physical Culture |
|---|---|
| FMF member | 2019– (currently suspended) |
| Confederation | WMFA |
| Head coach | Vacant |
| Captain | Vacant |
| Home stadium | Merensk Arena |
| FMF code | UGB |
| First FMF intermicronational | |
West Amokolia  1–1  UGB | |
| Biggest win | |
Franklin Islands  0–19 UGBFranklin Islands 0–19 UGB | |
| Biggest defeat | |
Calbion  6–1 Unified Governorates | |
| FMF World Cup | |
| Appearances | 2 (first in 2021) |
| Best result | Play-off round |
| Benacia Cup | |
| Appearances | 2 (first in 2020) |
| Best result | Fourth place |
The Unified Governorates national football team was the football team which currently represents the Benacian Union constituent nation of the Unified Governorates, and previously represented the independent nation of the same name. It was a member of the WMFA, and was run by the Benacian Institute of Physical Culture.
History
The team was founded in mid-2019 after the Unified Governorates successfully claimed on Micras after seceding from Shireroth. Soon afterwards, the team competed in the inaugural Vulture Cup, finishing second in their group with four points before losing to Sanama and surprisingly beating Tellia, both on penalties, to place third.
In the following year's Benacia Cup qualifiers, the team finished second in their four-team group with ten points, ahead of Francia by virtue of goals scored, and advanced to the play-offs, where they beat Kalgachia to qualify for a first ever finals. In the finals, the team finished third in their group with four points.
Ahead of the 2021 World Cup qualifiers, in late 2020, the team entered the inaugural edition of the Raspur Pact Nations League and competed in its second tier, finishing second in their four-team group with eight points. In the qualifiers, the team placed second in their five-team group with 21 points, behind Tellia in the automatic qualifying spot on goal difference, and advanced to the interconfederational play-off, where they overcame Natopia on penalties after a 1–1 aggregate draw to qualify for a first World Cup finals. In the finals, the team advanced from their group in second place with nine points, but were eliminated 4–2 in the play-off round by Lamantia.
In early 2022, prior to the year's Benacia Cup qualifiers, the Unified Governorates merged with Elwynn to form the Benacian Union and retained its FMF membership. In the qualifiers themselves, the team topped their five-team group unbeaten with 22 points and qualified for a second Benacia Cup finals. At the Benacia Cup, they advanced from their group in second place with seven points, behind Craitland on goal difference, to reach the semi-finals where they lost to Tellia 3–2 after extra time before also losing to hosts Sanama 3–2 in the third-place play-off to place fourth overall. In late 2022, the Unified Governorates competed in the inaugural All-Union Festival Tournament, finishing top of their group with nine points to advance. After beating Ransenar in the semi-final, they then beat the Sovereign Confederation in the final to win a first ever trophy.
Long-serving manager Uri Segler was dismissed from his position on the 26th of July 2023, having reportedly claimed asylum in Mercury days previously. Team captain Harold Forester assumed responsibility for leadership of the coaching team immediately thereafter. Harold Forester, having failed to rally the team against Floria would suffer a tragic accident shortly afterwards, forcing the national team to face to prospect of reorganisation and reform without its established leadership figures.
The 2023 FMF World Cup qualification rounds saw the team top their five-team group with 19 points and qualify for the finals, where they were eliminated at the first hurdle after placing fourth in Group D with four points.
Following its deplorable conduct in Mercury, and the disorders these actions generated at home, the team was liquidated by a special action of the Magisters-Carnifex in 2023/1723 AN. Players were subsequently transferred to the Benacian Labour Reserve. As a result of these actions, the FMF suspended the Unified Governorates indefinitely.
Chronological competitive participation
Badge and kit
The team's primary home colours are black and yellow, while the coat of arms of the Lywall Protectorate is used as its badge.
Badge
Home kit
Current squad
This squad was established as the 1st Sporting (Association Football) Detachment attached to the UGB Bureau of Sports of Benacia Command on 06/06/2019. The starting lineup uses the 4-3-3 formation and strongly favours attacking via aggressive direct plays. Indeed the culture of aggression fostered in domestic UGB competitions, such as the Benacian National League, where players have been noted to expend as much energy trying to vigorously kick their opponents as they do the ball, has had an influence upon the team and its playing style at the international level. From 1672 to 1699 the team favoured the 2-4-4 formation, however this was discontinued in favour of a stronger defence set-up at the rear following the 2021 FMF World Cup where the UGB failed to pass the playoffs.
Honours
- Benacia Cup: 0
- 2019 – Fourth place
- Vulture Cup: 0
- 2019 – Third place
Flag
The Unified Governorates has used the following flag during the entirety of its FMF affiliation:
| 2019– |
|---|
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