Is Next Goal Wins Based on a True Story? Plot and Summary
by Rubaditsha | Updated Apr 27, 2023
What is Next Goal Wins About?
Next Goal Wins is an upcoming sports comedy-drama movie directed by Taika Waititi and co-written by Waititi and Iain Morris. The film is based on the true story of Thomas Rongen, a Dutch-American football coach who led the American Samoa national football team to qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The team was considered the weakest in the world after suffering a 31-0 defeat at the hands of Australia in 2001 and losing every competitive game they played in the following years.
Michael Fassbender plays the role of Thomas Rongen, and he is joined by a star-studded cast including Elisabeth Moss, Oscar Kightley, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Kaimana, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Chris Alosio, Taika Waititi, Will Arnett, and Rhys Darby. Filming of the movie began in November 2019 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The movie is set to be released on November 17, 2023, by Searchlight Pictures. It is a biographical movie that tells the story of an underdog team and their coach who faces insurmountable odds in leading the team to achieve their goal. The movie portrays the power of hope and determination in the face of adversity and is expected to be a heartwarming and inspirational story for audiences worldwide.
Is Next Goal Wins Based on a True Story?
The upcoming sports comedy-drama film, "Next Goal Wins," is Taika Waititi's latest project, which is based on the true story of the American Samoa soccer team. The team is known for their crushing 31-0 loss to Australia in the 2001 FIFA World Cup, and the movie follows the efforts of their coach, Thomas Rongen (played by Michael Fassbender), to turn them into winners.
The film is a hilarious comedy about underdogs who are trying to beat the odds. The movie is based on a 2014 documentary by directors Mike Brett and Steve Jamison of the same name. It takes place after the American Samoa soccer team's infamous loss in the 2001 FIFA World Cup.
The movie stars Michael Fassbender, Elisabeth Moss, Will Arnett, Uli Latukefu, Rhys Darby, Oscar Kightley, David Fane, Lehi Falepapalangi, Semu Filipo, Rachel House, Angus Sampson, Frankie Adams, Beulah Koale, Sisa Grey, Russell Satele, Karim Benz, and Chris Aloso. Kaimana, a fa’afafine non-binary actor, portrays Jaiyah Saelua, the first non-binary player to compete in a men's FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Waititi directed the movie and co-wrote the script with Iain Morris. He also produced the movie alongside Brett, Jamison, Garrett Basch, and Jonathan Cavendish. The film's production began in Honolulu in November 2019 and wrapped in 2020, but reshoots were later held after Armie Hammer was replaced by Will Arnett.
Waititi explained that casting a non-binary actor for the role of Jaiyah Saelua was essential. He said there was no other way they would have approached it. Waititi's recent projects include directing Marvel's "Thor: Love and Thunder," playing Blackbeard on HBO's "Our Flag Means Death" pirate comedy, and co-creating Hulu's "Reservation Dogs," which has been renewed for a third season.
"Next Goal Wins" will be released in theaters on November 17, 2023, and the trailer has been released by Searchlight Pictures.
Next Goal Wins Release Date
"Next Goal Wins" is a sports comedy-drama film directed by Taika Waititi and it is set to release on November 17, 2023 in USA and October 20, 2023 in UK. It is based on the true story of the American Samoa soccer team, coached by Thomas Rongen (played by Michael Fassbender), as they try to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The film stars Elisabeth Moss, Will Arnett, Uli Latukefu, and Rhys Darby. The movie's production began in 2019, and the script was co-written by Waititi and Iain Morris. The film's trailer has been released by Searchlight Pictures.
Next Goal Wins Plot
"Next Goal Wins" is a sports documentary film that tells the story of the American Samoa soccer team, considered one of the worst soccer teams in the world. In 2001, they suffered a humiliating defeat of 31-0 to Australia, and since then, they had lost every competitive game they played.
The film takes place a decade after this infamous loss when the team prepares to compete in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, against the backdrop of their persistent failure and ranking as the lowest team in the FIFA World rankings.
The team's daunting prospect of qualifying for the World Cup, a task that seems insurmountable, sets the stage for the film. The story revolves around Thomas Rongen, a maverick Dutch coach, who is hired by the team as a loan appointment from the U.S. Soccer Federation to lead them towards their dream of winning.
Rongen, with experience of playing alongside football greats like George Best and Johann Cruyff, is completely unprepared for what awaits him on the island. He is shocked to find that the team's standard of football is the lowest he's ever seen, with only half of his team even fit enough to play a whole game.
The team comprises emotionally scarred players, including a goalkeeper who conceded all 31 goals against Australia in 2001, and Jaiyah Saelua, a member of Samoa's third gender, the fa'afafine, who lives 24/7 as a woman. Adding to the complexity is the fact that the team's best player has been posted 6000 miles away by the US military.
Against all odds, Rongen sets out to transform this ragtag of losers into a winning team in just one month. He attempts to instill hope in the team and inspire them to overcome their mental barriers and personal struggles, all while working on their skills and fitness.
The film showcases the power of hope, perseverance, and determination in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. In the end, the team's journey towards the World Cup becomes an object lesson in what it really means to be a winner in life, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery and personal growth.
Next Goal Wins Summary
"Next Goal Wins" is a story about hope and resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. The film tells the true story of the American Samoa soccer team, which suffered a humiliating 31-0 defeat at the hands of Australia in 2001.
The loss garnered headlines across the world, and the team was dubbed the worst soccer team on the planet. Despite this, they remained at the bottom of FIFA's World rankings, having scored only two goals in the 17 years that followed.
As the team faces the daunting prospect of a qualification campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, they realize they need a miracle to turn their fortunes around. This is where maverick Dutch coach Thomas Rongen comes in. Rongen, a loan appointment from the mighty U.S. Soccer Federation, is completely unprepared for the state of the team. He describes it as "by far the lowest standard" of football he's ever seen, with only half of his team fit enough to play a full game.
Rongen's ailing squad includes emotionally scarred players, such as the goalkeeper who conceded 31 goals against Australia a decade earlier, and a fa'fafine, a member of Samoa's third gender who lives as a woman 24/7. Furthermore, the team's best player has been posted 6000 miles away by the US military. With just one month to go before the grueling World Cup Qualification campaign, Rongen must transform this group of losers into a winning team.
The film is an object lesson in what it really means to be a winner in life, highlighting the power of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. Despite their lack of athleticism and the odds stacked against them, the American Samoa soccer team never gives up. Through their struggles and triumphs, they teach us that winning is not just about the final score, but about the journey and the lessons learned along the way.
Is Next Goal Wins Based on a True Story: FAQs
"Next Goal Wins" is an upcoming sports comedy-drama movie directed by Taika Waititi and co-written by Waititi and Iain Morris. It is based on the true story of Thomas Rongen, a Dutch-American football coach who led the American Samoa national football team to qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Yes, "Next Goal Wins" is based on the true story of the American Samoa soccer team, which suffered a crushing 31-0 loss to Australia in the 2001 FIFA World Cup, and their efforts to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.
The movie stars Michael Fassbender, Elisabeth Moss, Will Arnett, Uli Latukefu, Rhys Darby, Oscar Kightley, David Fane, Lehi Falepapalangi, Semu Filipo, Rachel House, Angus Sampson, Frankie Adams, Beulah Koale, Sisa Grey, Russell Satele, Karim Benz, and Chris Aloso. Kaimana, a fa’afafine non-binary actor, portrays Jaiyah Saelua, the first non-binary player to compete in a men's FIFA World Cup qualifier.
"Next Goal Wins" is set to release on November 17, 2023.