The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation is the governing body of soccer in the Marshall Islands. Marshall Islands is not a member of its regional body, the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), or FIFA, but is working on becoming one.[1] [2] The federation is recognized by the Marshall Islands National Olympic Committee.[3] It currently organizes the national team, national futsal team, and women's national futsal team.
The federation was founded in 2020 with the purpose of introducing the sport to the nation which previously had no soccer history.[4] In May 2019 construction commenced on the Majuro Track and Field Stadium. Originally built as a venue for the 2023 Micronesian Games, the stadium would also serve as the home of football in the nation.[5]
In December 2022 it was announced that the MISF had hired its first-ever technical director, British UEFA-licensed coach Lloyd Owers. Owers would be responsible for creating the soccer structure for the nation, including school and youth development programs up to the national team.[6] [7]
In January 2023 the federation launched a GoFundMe campaign. The money raised would be used to purchase equipment to begin to grow the sport in the nation. As part of the campaign it was also announced that a national league was planned to kick off in 2023 with the national team playing a match by 2024.
Other members of the MISF include Marketing Manager Matt Webb; Press officer Justin Walley and Football Development Executive Max Houchin [8]
On May 29th, 2024 the Marshall Islands Soccer Federation announced their first National Women’s Team Head Coach, Katie Smith, a current collegiate coach based in the United States.
The organization first held the Marshall Islands Futsal League, starting with the 2023 edition. They also organize the Ratak Cup, the first edition being the 2024 Ratak Cup.