Next Goal Wins

The cinematic journey begins with a thoughtful priest (Taika Waititi), who sets the tone for the story by discussing the island of American Samoa, a place where culture and faith reign supreme. However, this Pacific paradise is also home to a notorious soccer team, renowned for being one of the worst in the world. The film takes us back in time to 2001, when the team's goalkeeper, Nicky Salapu (Uli Latukefu), suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Australia, conceding an astonishing 31 goals and cementing their reputation as a soccer laughingstock.

Cut to the present, where Tavita Taumua (Oscar Kightley), the president of the Football Federation of American Samoa, is grappling with the team's lackluster performance. In a bold move, he decides to fire coach Ace (David Fane) for being too soft on the players. This dramatic decision takes place in the midst of Tavita's family life, where he shares dinner with his wife Ruth (Rachel House) and their son Daru (Beulah Koale), who just so happens to be a member of the struggling soccer team.

As tensions rise at home, Tavita finds himself facing the consequences of his previous actions. A humiliating punishment from rival football federations leaves him with a face full of cartoonish bosoms, a constant reminder of their mockery. His wife Ruth is not amused and urges him to take drastic measures, such as hiring a new coach who can turn the team's fortunes around.

Meanwhile, on a neighboring island, disgraced soccer coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) is struggling to come to terms with his own failures. After being let go by the American Soccer Federation due to his questionable behavior, he's given an unexpected opportunity to coach the American Samoa team, despite their dismal record. With no other options and a hint of desperation, Thomas reluctantly agrees to take on the challenge.

As Thomas arrives in American Samoa, he's greeted with a traditional cultural ceremony, which serves as a stark reminder of the island's unique customs and values. Tavita takes him to his new home, where he begins to settle into life on the island. Throughout his stay, Thomas finds solace in listening to voice messages from his daughter Nicole (Kaitlyn Dever), who offers words of encouragement from afar.

Thomas soon discovers that coaching this team will require more than just technical expertise. He's tasked with understanding the island's strict curfew, which brings all activities to a standstill as the community comes together to pray. His journey is further complicated by his encounters with Jaiyah Saelua (Kaimana), a talented pre-op trans woman who's also a member of the team. Tavita proudly describes her as fa'afafine, a term that highlights the island's acceptance and celebration of people like Jaiyah.

Thomas's initial hesitation to accept Jaiyah on his team leads to a heated confrontation when he mistakenly addresses her by her old name (Johnny), earning him a well-deserved body slam from the island's gentle giant.

As Thomas's frustration with the team reaches a boiling point, Tavita intervenes, urging him to transcend his initial skepticism and form genuine connections with the islanders. This epiphany is sparked when Thomas pulls over an officer, Rambo (Semu Filipo), who impressively dispatches a wayward can with precision and finesse. Later, Jaiyah makes a surprise visit to Thomas's home, bearing a peace offering and initiating a cordial conversation that sets the tone for their burgeoning friendship. She then shares a heartwarming video showcasing the team's tenacity, revealing that past players had abandoned ship due to lack of faith in themselves.

As Thomas begins to develop his own rapport with each player, he also starts crafting innovative plays designed to boost morale and performance. The team's collective spirit is palpable as they near their qualifying matches. However, during a grueling training session, Thomas becomes dehydrated, prompting the entire team to rally around him, carrying him down to the ocean in a testament to their growing camaraderie.

Thomas soon finds himself immersed in the local culture, attending church services with his teammates and gradually earning their trust. As they prepare for the matches, the team travels to the Independent Nation of Samoa, where they encounter their arch-rivals from Tonga, who revel in American Samoa's lowest-ranked status due to their physical prowess.

Meanwhile, Thomas encounters familiar faces from the soccer federation, who deride American Samoa's struggles, including a reference to their infamous 31-0 defeat. He also runs into Gail, accompanied by her new beau, Alex Magnussen (Will Arnett), whose overtures to secure Thomas a better job seem motivated by more than just benevolence.

As the matches approach, Nicky makes an unexpected return to the team, sending morale soaring. Before the games begin, Thomas must intervene in Jaiyah's emotional turmoil, brought on by her struggle with hormone therapy. With gentle guidance and encouragement, he helps her find peace and tap into her innate ability to inspire her teammates.

This pivotal moment marks a turning point for Thomas, as he begins to see the team through new eyes, recognizing their potential and his own growth as a leader. The stage is set for an unforgettable series of matches that will test the team's mettle, both on and off the field.

As the game commences, American Samoa's performance is lackluster from the onset, prompting Thomas (played by) to unleash his frustration at the team's lethargy during one of the timeouts. However, before he can abandon ship, Tavita intervenes, attempting to placate him with words of wisdom and a reminder that even in defeat, the team wants to have fun and focus on the positives. Thomas takes a moment to collect himself, then shares a poignant revelation: he blames himself for not being there for his daughter Nicole when she tragically passed away in a car accident on her way to soccer practice years prior. This emotional admission allows him to form a deeper connection with the team, and he encourages them to enjoy the game without worrying about winning.

Following this emotional breakthrough, the team's morale lifts, and they begin to play with renewed enthusiasm. Daru manages to score American Samoa's inaugural goal against Tonga, sparking jubilation among the players. However, the celebration is short-lived as Tavita suddenly succumbs to the intense heat, forcing Daru to seek out his parents in the medical tent to update them on the game's progress.

As the match continues, Jaiyah scores another crucial goal for American Samoa, but just when it seems like they might not qualify for the World Cup, Daru's penalty causes Tonga to take a shot, which Nicky valiantly blocks. The referee adds five minutes to the clock, and despite some tense moments, American Samoa emerges victorious.

In the aftermath of their historic win, Thomas joins the team in celebration, acknowledging that while they may not have qualified for the World Cup, they've still achieved something remarkable. As he prepares to depart the island, he announces plans to take on a new role nearby. As the sun dips below the horizon, Thomas and the team come together for a traditional song and dance.

In a testament to their resilience and determination, American Samoa's victory over Tonga marked a turning point in their football history, as they no longer held the distinction of being the lowest-ranked team in the world. The film concludes with Thomas Rongen going on to become Chief Scout for the U.S. national team and a commentator for CBS Sports; Nicky Salapu continuing as captain of the American Samoa team; Tavita Taumua remaining at the helm of the FFAS; Jaiyah Saelua, the first openly transgender athlete to compete in a World Cup qualifier, earning accolades as an award-winning soccer coach and FIFA ambassador for equality.