Who We Are
The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation provides opportunities for every Marshallese person, no matter where they are in the world, to represent their nation, connect with their community, and enact change.
We are the last nation on earth to field national soccer teams, and we’re building something historic from the ground up. From the atolls of the South Pacific to the Marshallese diaspora in Northwest Arkansas and beyond, we’re growing the game of soccer while raising the profile of the Marshall Islands on the global stage.
Our Mission
We provide opportunities for every Marshallese person, anywhere in the world, to play and coach soccer, represent their national team, and use the beautiful game to showcase our nation to the world. Soccer is more than a sport to us. It’s a vehicle for cultural pride, youth empowerment, and global change.
We raise global awareness about the resilience of the Marshallese community through the universal language of football. By building teams, hosting matches, and sharing their story across the world, we aim to inspire solidarity, drive support, and ensure that the Marshall Islands are never forgotten because on this planet, no team should have to fight alone.
Our Story
The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation was founded in 2021 by Shem Livai in Majuro. The spark was personal: Shem’s son wanted to play soccer, but there was no infrastructure for the sport in the Marshall Islands. What started as a father’s determination to give his kid a chance to play has grown into a national movement.
Since then, we’ve assembled a team of dedicated volunteers — spread across the Marshall Islands, the United States, and the United Kingdom — who are working every day to bring organized soccer to the islands, develop the next generation of players and coaches, and put the Marshall Islands on the map in international competition. We fielded our first international teams in 2025, and we’re not slowing down. In July 2027, we’ll launch the Marshall Islands Soccer League — the country’s first organized club competition
What We Do
• We compete globally. Our Men’s and Women’s National Teams represent the Marshall Islands in international competition, with the ultimate goal of joining the Asian Football Confederation and FIFA. We’re on a pathway to compete in World Cup qualifying — an ambitious target, but one we’re working toward every single day. Our Men’s team played its first game in Northwest Arkansas in 2025, and we plan to host the first international matches on home soil in the Marshall Islands in 2027, bringing the global game to the South Pacific.
• We develop the next generation. We want every Marshallese child to have the opportunity to play soccer regularly. We run youth development clinics in the Marshall Islands and in Northwest Arkansas, provide coaching and equipment, and are working to integrate soccer into school physical education curricula. Our Technical Director, Lloyd Owers, an OFC Coach Educator, leads training courses to certify and develop local coaches, building a pipeline of qualified leaders who will sustain the game long after we’ve laid the foundation.
• We build community. We’re creating a global community of fans and supporters who have joined our mission. This isn’t just about building a soccer team; we’re building a sporting legacy and educating the world about the Marshall Islands’ extraordinary culture. We’re also raising awareness of the climate crisis that threatens the very existence of our nation. From the South Pacific to Northwest Arkansas and everywhere in between, we’re connecting people through the game we love.
How You Can Get Involved
• If you’re Marshallese: This is your team. Whether you’re on-island or in the diaspora, we were created by and for the Marshallese community. Come play, come coach, come cheer. Help us show the world what it means to be Marshallese.
• If you’re a soccer fan: You have the chance to support the last nation on earth to start a national soccer team from the very beginning. Follow our journey, wear the kit, show up to matches, and help us grow. Every fan who joins our movement becomes part of the story we’re writing.
• If you’re a potential sponsor or funder: A partnership with MISF is an investment in a movement. We’ve developed a roadmap to become a FIFA member nation by 2030. We’re a ground-floor opportunity with global media reach, alignment with climate and cultural advocacy, and a pathway to FIFA and World Cup visibility. All donations and profits from merchandise go directly to supporting grassroots programs in the Marshall Islands and the Marshallese diaspora. Contributions are tax-deductible through our fiscal sponsor, Charities Aid Foundation America, a registered 501(c)(3).
• If you’re in Northwest Arkansas: We’re your home team. Come out to a clinic, support a match, and connect with your Marshallese neighbors. It’s more than a game — it’s an opportunity for communities across Northwest Arkansas to come together, celebrate, and support one another.
Key Milestones
Meet the Team
Shem Livai, President
Matt Webb, General Secretary
Divine Waiti, Vice-President
Lloyd Owers, Technical Director
Justin Walley, Communication Director
Patrick McStay, Head of US Scouting
Scott Hill, Board Member
Jack Hutchinson, Head of Talent ID
Max Houchin, Soccer Development Executive
Woody Watson, VP North American Operations
Volunteering
All of our team members are volunteers, and we’re always looking for passionate people to join us. Whether you can contribute from home or are willing to travel to the Marshall Islands, we’d love to hear from you.
Press enquiries
We’re always happy to talk. Our media team is based in the UK and available for radio, TV, video, podcast, and written requests. Get in touch through the contact form below.
Official Site of the Marshall Islands Soccer Federation 