Summer has just started, but film festival season is already approaching. And while Cannes dazzled with new films by Martin Scorsese, Wes Anderson, and more, the first major salvo in the fall film festival wars has been thrown down by the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Today, TIFF announced that Taika Waititi’s “Next Goal Wins,” a soccer comedy directed and co-written by the New Zealand filmmaker, will make its world premiere at the 48th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (September 7–17).
“We’re thrilled to welcome Taika back to the Festival and share his audacious take on the most popular sport in the world,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF. “Next Goal Wins is perfect for TIFF fans of the beautiful game looking for their football fill until the 2026 World Cup arrives.”
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Waititi was last at the festival in 2019 with the World Premiere of “Jojo Rabbit,” and the film went on to win the TIFF People’s Choice Award and an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
“Next Goal Wins” stars Michael Fassbender, Oscar Kightley, Kaimana, David Fane, Rachel House, Beulah Koale, Uli Latukefu, Semu Filipo, Lehi Falepapalangi, with Will Arnett, and Elisabeth Moss. The heartfelt sports comedy is based on the 2014 documentary of the same name and 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 (Fassbender), hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around.
“Next Goal Wins” is a Searchlight Pictures film, and man, what a long road it’s been for this film. Especially considering all its delays, a big TIFF premiere is a huge win for this film.
“Next Goal Wins” was shot way back in 2019 (!). The film was then delayed by Waititi’s “Thor: Love And Thunder,” and then additional issues with its co-star Armie Hammer. Hammer went through his controversies in 2020/2021 when multiple women accused him of sexual assault accused. Persona non-grata, while it was a small part, Hammer’s role apparently needed excising nonetheless, and the role was recast and reshot with Will Arnett.
“Next Goal Wins” is currently scheduled for a November 17 theatrical release in North America, but obviously, the privileged lucky few will be able to see it early in September at TIFF first. Check out the recently released trailer below, and remember that a big TIFF premiere for a film like this suggests it’s a big, winning crowd-pleaser.
