Next Goal Wins

Next Goal Wins is a sports comedy-drama film directed by Taika Waititi, who co-wrote the screenplay with Iain Morris. The film is based on the 2014 documentary of the same name by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison about Dutch-American coach Thomas Rongen's efforts to lead the American Samoa national football team, considered the weakest football team in the world, to qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Michael Fassbender will star as Rongen, alongside Oscar Kightley, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Kaimana, Rhys Darby, Will Arnett, and Elisabeth Moss. Filming began in Honolulu in November 2019.
The film was released on November 17, 2023, by Searchlight Pictures.
==Premise==
Dutch-American football coach Thomas Rongen is tasked with turning the American Samoa national team, considered one of the weakest football teams in the world, into an elite squad.
==Cast==
==Production==
It was announced in August 2019 that Fox Searchlight Pictures had set up an initially unspecified project that would see Taika Waititi write and direct prior to his obligations to Thor: Love and Thunder (2022). It was later revealed as being a feature film adaptation of the documentary Next Goal Wins. Waititi, Garrett Basch and Jonathan Cavendish serve as producers, with Andy Serkis, Will Tennant and Kathryn Dean as executive producers.
In September, Michael Fassbender entered final negotiations to star in the film. He would be confirmed the next month, alongside Elisabeth Moss entering negotiations to join. In November 2019, it was announced Kaimana, Oscar Kightley, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Lehi Falepapalangi, Semu Filipo, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Rhys Darby, Angus Sampson, Chris Alosio and Sisa Grey had joined the cast of the film, with Moss being confirmed. In December 2019, Armie Hammer joined the cast of the film, playing an executive with Football Federation American Samoa.
Principal photography began in November 2019 in Honolulu, Hawaii, and wrapped by January 2020. In December 2021, it was announced that Will Arnett would be stepping in for Hammer, because Hammer was unavailable for reshoots. The part, initially intended as a cameo, was expanded when Arnett joined.
==Release==
The film is currently scheduled to be released on November 17, 2023. In September 2022, the film was officially given a release date of April 21, 2023, before being delayed to September 22, 2023, and then to its current date.
==Videos==
NEXT GOAL WINS - Official Trailer - Searchlight Pictures
==See also==
*List of association football films
==References==
==External links==
*
Category:2023 films
Category:2023 comedy films
Category:2020s English-language films
Category:2020s sports comedy films
Category:American sports comedy films
Category:American association football films
Category:American Samoa national football team
Category:British association football films
Category:British sports comedy films
Category:Films directed by Taika Waititi
Category:Films with screenplays by Taika Waititi
Category:Films produced by Taika Waititi
Category:Films scored by Michael Giacchino
Category:Films set in American Samoa
Category:Films shot in Honolulu
Category:Searchlight Pictures films
Category:2020s American films
Category:2020s British films
Category:Films starring Michael Fassbender
Category:Films starring Elisabeth Moss
Category:Films starring Uli Latukefu
Category:Films starring Will Arnett