Oihan Sancet backs official status for Basque national team ahead of Venezuela friendly

First call-up and a World Cup hope

Oihan Sancet, who plays for Athletic Club, spoke at a press conference at Lezama on Thursday, 12 November, ahead of his first call-up with the Euskal Selekzioa. The Basque side meets Venezuela in a friendly at San Mamés in Bilbao on Saturday, 14 November. Sancet described pulling on the Basque shirt as a childhood dream and said he was proud to be picked. He also voiced a wider aspiration, hoping the team could one day compete at a World Cup.

“Hopefully one day we can fight for a World Cup with the national team of our country.”

Sancet admitted the goal is difficult, but said that if each player contributed a small part, it could happen someday.

Spain career and caps

Sancet made his debut for Spain's senior side on 12 October 2023, in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Scotland at La Cartuja in Seville that Spain won 2-0. He came on for Mikel Merino in the 67th minute and scored the second goal. He went on to play four senior matches for Spain between 2023 and 2024, and LaSexta reports 14 appearances for the under-21 side. La Razón adds that he also represented Spain at under-18 level. After the debut he called the moment a dream and said he was very happy.

Spain senior4

Spain under-2114

Spain senior

4 matches

Spain under-21

14 matches

Data from the article text

Arrasate and the federation's position

Jagoba Arrasate, the Osasuna coach who also leads the Basque team, said the friendly will be more than a sporting occasion and could become a social celebration. He led the first of two training sessions on Thursday at Athletic's Lezama facilities and said he saw bright eyes among the players. He expects a strong atmosphere at San Mamés, which he called 'La Catedral', and said the match offers many incentives. He said the move shows the federation is not satisfied with the status quo:

“It shows that the Basque Federation is not satisfied with what we have, that we want more, and so do the people.”

Arrasate also pointed to the Basque pelota national team, which has obtained official representation, and said he was proud of that achievement. He added that each sport has its own nuances and that the first step is genuinely wanting it.

FIFA rules and the public debate

La Razón reports that FIFA regulations prevent the Basque side from playing official tournaments. Under those rules, the federation admits teams from independent countries with official recognition, or territorial teams with permission from the national federation of the country concerned. The England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland model does not apply, the article says, because those teams predate FIFA and the United Kingdom has no single national federation. On 13 November, Juanma Rodríguez, a sports journalist and commentator on El Chiringuito, responded to Sancet's remarks.

“The nation is above the national teams.”

Rodríguez framed the debate as one about national identity rather than the choice of players. Sancet's first Basque call-up is scheduled for Saturday, 14 November, when the team plays Venezuela at San Mamés.