TIFF 2023 'Next Goal Wins': Taika Waititi entertains Toronto crowd at the premiere of his soccer film

Taika Waititi arrived at the premiere of his film Next Goal Wins at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) with a bang — literally.

Next Goal Wins is inspired by the true story of the American Samoa soccer team, specifically the infamous story of how the team lost with a score of 31-0 against Australia in a 2001 World Cup qualifying match, a record loss in soccer history.

Waititi centres his film around Dutch-American manager Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender), who takes a job coaching the American Samoa team after the American Football Association was tired of his aggressive outbursts on the job.

Thomas arrives with the task of whipping the team into shape before their first 2014 World Cup qualifier match.

Among the notable team members is Jaiyah (Kaimana), part of the fa’afafine community, which in the American Samoa culture refers to a third gender group, which translates to "in the manner of a woman."

Speaking about the film, Waititi explained that he watched the documentary by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison about the American Samoa soccer team, and he couldn't believe it was a real story.

"It's amazing to see a true underdog story, which we all love," the filmmaker said. "We do not want to see a sports film about winners who just keep winning. It's boring."

"I never thought I'd ever make a sports film, especially not a film about a sport that I knew nothing about."

Waititi also highlighted that Next Goal Wins is particularly special for him.

"Coming to New Zealand, being Māori, we don't see enough of ourselves on screen," Waititi said. "Growing up we often didn't see ourselves on screen and I'm very proud of where I come from."

In a moment that got the room laughing, the filmmaker went on to talk about celebrating people from island nations in the Pacific Ocean on screen, and he started punching the microphone at the podium at the Princess of Wales Theatre.

How much of 'Next Goal Wins' is real?

While based on a true event, Waititi highlighted that some aspects of this story were adapted for his version of this story.

"I had to twist the truth," he said. "Otherwise, watch the documentary."

But the real Jaiyah Saelua and Thomas Rongen were at the premiere as well, greeted with a standing ovation by the Toronto crowd.

Notably, Saelua is recognized by FIFA as the first openly trans person to play in a World Cup qualifying game, and has been an advocate for non-binary and fa’afafine athletes. Saelua also coaches the American Samoan Boys football team.