Anna 
A historic milestone in international football is on the horizon as the Marshall Islands prepare for their first-ever official match. The nation, often referred to as the “last country on Earth without a football team,” is set to compete in a four-team international tournament in August, held in Arkansas, USA.
The initiative is being spearheaded by Lloyd Owers, a football coach from Banbury, Oxfordshire, who has been serving as the technical director of the Marshall Islands Soccer Federation since 2023. The tournament, which will feature FIFA-recognized teams from Turks & Caicos, the US Virgin Islands, and Guam, is a crucial first step toward the Marshall Islands’ goal of FIFA membership and eventual participation in World Cup qualifying matches.
A Bold Step Forward
“We have massive ambitions,” Owers told BBC Radio Oxfordshire. “We didn’t want to take the easy option of playing local, regional countries. We wanted to test ourselves and put ourselves on the map.”
The Marshall Islands, a remote Pacific nation with a population of about 40,000, has never had an organized football program. When Owers took on the role in 2023, there was no football infrastructure on the main island of Majuro. However, in just two years, the federation has made rapid progress, culminating in the announcement of its first international fixtures.
Why Arkansas?
The tournament will take place at John Brown University in Arkansas, home to the largest Marshallese community outside of the Marshall Islands. This strategic decision allows the team to play in front of a passionate crowd while easing logistical challenges.
Fundraising for a Dream
To make this historic moment possible, the federation is aiming to raise £20,000 to cover kit, equipment, and accommodation costs for the visiting teams.
With their first international appearance fast approaching, the Marshall Islands are embracing the challenge with determination and a dream to carve their place in global football.
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