Next Goal Wins

A closer look at the story

The American Samoa national football team has long been known as one of the weakest sides in the world and is used to losing again and again. Even so, the players have no intention of abandoning their dream of reaching the World Cup. To change the team's fortunes, Dutch coach Thomas Rongen is brought in. Rongen's own affairs are not going especially well either; he is an unlucky, headstrong man with a maverick streak. Ahead of him lies an almost impossible task: turning a squad that has lost for years into a team that wins. Thomas starts drawing up plans to make the impossible achievable. Telling a warm story about hope and solidarity that goes beyond football, the film blends humour with heart. Taika Waititi directed this 104-minute 2023 comedy and shares screenplay credit with Iain Morris; it stars Michael Fassbender, Oscar Kightley, Kaimana and David Fane.