History made as last country without football team plays first match
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The Marshall Islands, once regarded as the only country in the world without a national football team, officially stepped onto the global football stage this week by playing its first international match.
The Pacific island nation made its debut in a friendly against the U.S. Virgin Islands, suffering a 4–0 defeat.
FT: 
4, 
0. Whatever the score, so proud of what was accomplished. Tonight, we made history. pic.twitter.com/QV6JqisVUl— Marshall Islands Soccer Federation (@SoccerFedMI) August 15, 2025
But for officials, players, and fans, the result mattered far less than the historic importance of the occasion.
In their second match, they faced Turks & Caicos and lost by a slim margin.
“Some of our squad hadn’t played 11v11 before, some had never played in a real match before. And yet, in our second match ever, we went toe-to-toe with a full FIFA member for 90 minutes.
“Proud doesn’t even begin to describe it. Thank you to all who supported us during this amazing, unforgettable week in Springdale!!” the Marshall Islands Soccer Federation wrote on X after the match.
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