FOOTBALL is undergoing a transformative journey. With the surge in popularity of the women's game and the shifting power dynamics emanating from the Middle East, there is the sense that football is now more globally encompassing and inclusive than it has ever been before.
However, despite the sport's extensive reach across the world, there exists a solitary nation untouched by football's presence.
Nestled in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, between Hawaii and the Philippines, lies the only remaining country without a national football team: The Marshall Islands.
These paradisical and sprawling chains of volcanic islands and coral atolls stand as the lone member among the United Nations' 193 states that has yet to embrace football.
And while FIFA represent the interests of 211 men's national football teams with a further 11 non-FIFA members being part of one of FIFA's affiliated continental confederations, the Marshall Islands remains conspicuously devoid of a national team, a structured national league, and even a home stadium.
However, the prospect of change is glimmering on the horizon, thanks to the endeavours of the nascent Marshall Islands Soccer Federation (MISF) - established in 2020 carrying the baton of a nation's dream of one day becoming full FIFA members in their own right.
"There are a lot of hurdles we have to overcome before we can become a full FIFA member," explains 34-year-old Lloyd Owers, the English technical director of the MISF. "The first is confederation membership which at this stage looks like AFC (Asian Football Confederation).
This story is from the November - December 2023 edition of Late Tackle Football Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November - December 2023 edition of Late Tackle Football Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
EURO 96 AN ALMOST PERFECT SUMMER
TOM GREEN RECALLS A TOURNAMENT WHICH CAPTURED THE ENTIRE COUNTRY'S IMAGINATION
GROUP GAMES
SAM SHEPPEY LOOKS AT HOW ENGLAND HAVE FARED AGAINST THEIR UPCOMING EURO 2024 FOES IN THE PAST
THE INCREDIBLE RISE OF KOBBIE MAINOO
CALLUM HUMPHREY HOW THE YOUNG MIDFIELDER HAS BLOSSOMED AT MANCHESTER UNITED AND COULD DO THE SAME FOR ENGLAND THIS SUMMER
GERMANY EYE FRESH SUMMER FAIRYTALE
KIT HOLDEN TAKES A LOOK AT THE PROSPECTS OF THE EURO 2024 HOSTS
PROGRAMME PERIL
JAKE GUNTON ON THE BATTLE FOR A FOOTBALL INSTITUTION TO STAY RELEVANT IN THE MODERN AGE
ENGLAND EXPECTS
ROBERT J WILSON ON THE THREE LIONS' BID FOR GLORY AFTER PREVIOUS EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP DISAPPOINTMENTS
PASSING THE BATON
NOTTS COUNTY FAN IAN KIRKE REFLECTS ON AN UNFORGETTABLE DAY AT MEADOW LANE...
CHEEKY CHARLIE
TOM GREEN LOOKS AT THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CHARLIE MITTEN, WHO WENT FROM BURMA TO BOGOTA VIA OLD TRAFFORD
HAPPY WITH OUR LOT
WATFORD FAN JONNY BRICK IS QUITE CONTENT WITH HIS TEAM NEVER GOING UP AND NEVER GOING DOWN...
JAMES RODRIGUEZ TEN YEARS ON
DANIEL MOFFAT LOOKS AT THE CAREER OF THE COLOMBIA STAR