Next Goal Wins: Michael Fassbender loses trust in his soccer team in the new clip from the Taika Waititi comedy

Last Updated on September 7, 2023

Although Taika Waititi is now known (for better or worse) mostly for his contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the polar opposite receptions of his two Chris Hemsworth Thor movies, the New Zealand native insists his career will not be primarily big-budget Hollywood movies. The Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder director keeps one foot in smaller films. Waititi squeezed in the acclaimed Jojo Rabbit in between Marvel films, and he now helms the underdog soccer film Next Goal Wins.

The sports comedy will star Michael Fassbender, Oscar Kightley, Kaimana, David Fane, Rachel House, Beulah Koale, Uli Latukefu, Semu Filipo, Lehi Falepapalangi, with Will Arnett and Elisabeth Moss.

Fox Searchlight Pictures has recently released a series of photos from the film as well as an official one-sheet poster. Now, the studio has unveiled the first clip from the film that showcases Fassbender’s apathy in coaching the collection of his underwhelming ragtag roster. The clip features the signature humor of Waititi as Fassbender also shows off his dry comedic chops that he once showcased in the indie film Frank.

The synopsis from Fox Searchlight Pictures reads,
“Directed by Academy Award Winner Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok) and based on a true story, NEXT GOAL WINS follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the 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 heartfelt underdog comedy.”

Taika Waititi not only occupies the director’s chair, but he also co-wrote the screenplay with Iain Morris, who has worked with Waititi on HBO’s Flight of the Conchords. Morris also wrote for the TV adaptation of Waititi’s What We Do in the Shadows for FX as well as the British coming-of-age sitcom, The Inbetweeners. The producers of the film include Jonathan Cavendish, Garrett Basch, Taika Waititi, Mike Brett, and Steve Jamison.

The Michael Fassbender comedy is an official selection of the Toronto International Film Festival, which kicks off this week, and is scheduled to play in theaters this fall on November 17.