Taika Waititi’s long-awaited sports comedy is finally here…

It comes after the film experienced a myriad of delays, including COVID-related hold-ups and re-shoots following the Armie Hammer scandal, after production originally wrapped in 2020.

And while it seemed like the long-promised film might never arrive, Next Goal Wins is finally on its way, with the beloved New Zealand filmmaker – known for his offbeat and irreverent style in films like What We Do in the Shadows, Thor: Ragnarok, and Jojo Rabbit – at the helm.

First look at Michael Fassbender in Taika Waititi’s ‘NEXT GOAL WINS’. pic.twitter.com/yEz3NTiu1p

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In a kind of Ted Lasso-esque set-up, Next Goal Wins tells the true story of the American Samoa soccer team, whose infamous 31-0 loss to Australia in the 2001 FIFA World Cup cemented their status as the world’s worst soccer team.

The team went on to suffer a persistent losing streak until they made the decision to hire maverick Dutch coach Thomas Rongen (played by Michael Fassbender).

‘NEXT GOAL WINS’ from Taika Waititi.

In theaters November 17, 2023. pic.twitter.com/pCkwY3g2TB

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) April 26, 2023

With a cast including Elisabeth Moss, Rhys Darby, Will Arnett and more, unsurprisingly Next Goal Wins isn’t just a film about soccer. Waititi has been praised for his previous treatment of sexual identity in his films, and this one promises to be no different, mixing the subjects of soccer and transgender identity – a territory that remains pretty fraught to this day.

Next Goal Wins is due out in cinemas on November 17. Catch the first trailer below.