Is Next Goal Wins a true story?

Yes, Next Goal Wins is a true story based on a documentary of the same name.

Taika Waititi's sports comedy, Next Goal Wins, unfolds the inspiring tale of the American Samoa national football team's improbable journey, with one coach's determined quest to guide them to victory in a crucial World Cup qualifying match. Collaborating on the screenplay with Iain Morris, co-creator of The Inbetweeners, Waititi delves into the tenure of Dutch-American football coach Thomas Rongen with the American Samoa national team. The film, adapted from a 2014 documentary capturing the team's real-life saga, features an ensemble cast of notable stars, adding a touch of Hollywood magic to the remarkable underdog story.

Is Next Goal Wins a true story?

"Next Goal Wins" is rooted in a real-life narrative, specifically inspired by the 2014 documentary of the same name directed by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison. The film revolves around the actual events of coach Thomas Rongen striving to guide the American Samoa national football team toward qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The documentary sheds light on the unexpected collaboration between Rongen and the struggling team. Directed by Taika Waititi, the movie, a sports comedy, narrates the tale of the American Samoa men's national soccer team.

It features Michael Fassbender as Coach Thomas Rongen, dispatched to train the team in American Samoa, undergoing a drastic change in perspective. Premiering at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, the film is scheduled for release on November 17, 2023. However, in contrast to the documentary's serious portrayal, Waititi's film humorously retells Coach Rongen's journey and the team's experiences. Recognized as one of the weakest national football teams globally, American Samoa's evolution into a genuine World Cup qualification contender has been gradual over the years.

The notorious 31-0 loss against Australia marked a defining moment that solidified the team's reputation. Nevertheless, under Rongen's guidance, the team rallied for a significant qualification bid for the 2014 World Cup. The movie will delve into the team's development and subsequent qualifying campaigns under Rongen's leadership.

Which documentary is Next Goal Wins based on?

Next Goal Wins is based on a 2014 documentary by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, chronicling coach Thomas Rongen's journey to guide the American Samoa national football team to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The film captures the unconventional collaboration between Rongen and the struggling team, emphasizing their resilience.

Released in 2014 with a premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, the documentary earned universal acclaim, boasting a rare 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Next Goal Wins received the Best Documentary award at the British Independent Film Awards and the Special Jury Award at the 2014 Abu Dhabi Film Festival.

Initially hesitant to be documented due to past negative experiences, the American Samoa team agreed to let Jamison and Brett film them this time, recognizing the film as a celebration of their commitment to playing despite adversity, rather than a mockery. Jamison explained, “They said everybody had been wanting to take the mickey. We wanted to celebrate the fact that they wanted to keep playing.”

The documentary paints a genuine picture of the team's dedication in the face of challenges, a sentiment that carried into the creation of Next Goal Wins.

Who is a part of the cast for Next Goal Wins?

With Taika Waititi directing, Next Goal Wins has a star-studded cast with Michael Fassbender as an American coach hired to take over management of the American Samoa soccer club. Alongside Fassbender, Next Goal Wins also features -

• Elisabeth Moss as Gail

• Will Arnett as Alex Magnussen

• Rhys Darby as Rhys Martin

• Uli Latukefu as Nicky Salapu

• Angus Sampson as Angus Bendleton

• Oscar Kightley as Tavita

• Kaimana as Jaiyah Saelua

• Beulah Koale as Daru Taumua