Marshall Islands Soccer Association

Marshall Islands Soccer Federation
OFC
Founded2020; 3 years ago (2020)
FIFA affiliationN/A
OFC affiliationN/A
PresidentShem Livai
Websitehttps://rmi.soccer

The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation is the governing body of soccer in the Marshall Islands. Marshall Islands is not a member of its regional body, the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), or FIFA, but is working on becoming one.[1][2]

History

The federation was founded in 2020 with the purpose of introducing the sport to the nation which previously had no soccer history.[3] In May 2019 construction commenced on the Majuro Track and Field Stadium. Originally built as a venue for the 2023 Micronesian Games, the stadium would also serve as the home of football in the nation.[4]

In December 2022 it was announced that the MISF had hired its first-ever technical director, British UEFA-licensed coach Lloyd Owers. Owers would be responsible for creating the soccer structure for the nation, including school and youth development programs up to the national team.[5][6]

In January 2023 the federation launched a GoFundMe campaign. The money raised would be used to purchase equipment to begin to grow the sport in the nation. As part of the campaign it was also announced that a national league was planned to kick off in 2023 with the national team playing a match by 2024.[7]

Competitions

The organization first held the Marshall Islands Futsal League, starting with the 2023 edition.

See also

References

  1. ^ "MISF Official website". Marshall Islands Soccer Federation. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  2. ^ Poole, Harry (10 October 2023). "Marshall Islands: The last country on Earth without a national football team". BBC Sports. BBC News. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  3. ^ Rogers, Martin. "Marshall Islands rare nation untouched by soccer's sprawling reach". USA Today. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  4. ^ Ewart, Richard (27 February 2020). "Small beginnings as Marshall Islands sets out to join the world soccer family". abc.net.au. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  5. ^ Bjerkevoll, Ole (23 December 2022). "Marshall Islands hire first ever technical director". Football in Oceania. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  6. ^ Hamilton, Tom. "The Marshall Islands are trying to build a soccer team, but their dreams extend far beyond sport". ESPN.com. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  7. ^ Webb, Matt. "Bringing football to the Marshall Islands". Marshall Islands Soccer Federation. Retrieved 14 January 2023.

External links