Taika Waititi Explains Message Behind Next Goal Wins

When describing Next Goal Wins, the upcoming sports dramedy from Searchlight Pictures, writer-director Taika Waititi did not mince words when sharing the film’s message.

“Be happy, and slow the fuck down,” Waititi said to Empire.

Next Goal Wins follows the American Samoa national team and their quest to win their first match in 2011. Michael Fassbender stars as Thomas Rongen, the Dutch-American coach faced with the impossible task of turning the team around. For a team that once lost by 31 goals, Rongen had to display extreme patience, a trait that Waititi developed while filming Next Goal Wins, which faced numerous delays. Additionally, the film replaced Armie Hammer with Will Arnett.

“There are probably elements of the character we created around Thomas that I see in myself — that I see developing if I lose my patience,” Waititi said. “I’ve got quite high standards when I work with other people, and can feel — when someone’s not getting things right — this thing build up in me. I feel like this idea of becoming more patient with people is a thing that I’ve had to learn from being patient with this film.”

What to Expect in Next Goal Wins?

“Next Goal Wins follows the infamously terrible American Samoa soccer team, known for a brutal 2001 FIFA match they lost 31-0,” the official synopsis reads. “With the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this humorous and heartfelt underdog story.”

Besides Fassbender, the cast of Next Goal Wins includes Oscar Kightley, Kaimana, Rachel House, Beulah Koale, David Fane, Will Arnett, Kaitlyn Dever, and Elisabeth Moss.

Next Goal Wins is directed by Waititi from a script he co-wrote with Iain Morris. Producers include Waititi, Garrett Basch, Mike Brett, Jonathan Cavendish, and Steve Jamison. Next Goal Wins arrives in theaters on November 17, 2023.