Details

Release year: 2023

Storyline

The story of the infamously terrible American Samoa soccer team, known for a brutal 2001 FIFA match they lost 31-0.

Top credits

Directors

Taika Waititi

Writers

Cast

Michael Fassbender — Thomas Rongen
Oscar Kightley — Tavita
Kaimana — Jaiyah
David Fane — Ace

See all 60 credits →

Did you know

• American Samoa did win the match vs Tonga 2-1, as depicted in the film. However, the goals were scored in a different order. American Samoa went up 1-0 with a goal in the 43rd minute, and then extended the lead to 2-0 in the 74th minute. Tonga then scored in the 88th minute. This order was changed for the movie, likely for dramatic effect.

• In the infamous 2001 31-0 loss, the American Samoa team was troubled by passport issues as most of the team had Samoan (rather than U.S.) passports, meaning only one member of their original 20-man senior team, 20-year-old goalkeeper Nicky Salapu, eligible to play. He was named captain for the match. American Samoa also was unable to call their under-20 players because most of them were involved in high school exams at the time. They were forced to draft in youth players, including three 15-year-old players, to put together a makeshift team with an average age of 18. Some of the team's players had never played a full 90-minute match before the match with Australia.

• Some of Jaiyah's (Kaimana) soccer stunts were performed by Jaiyah Saelua herself.