Marshall Islands, last country without a football team, plays the first 11-a-side match in the US

The Marshall Islands, the last country in the world without a football team, played his very first 11-a-side match on Thursday evening, when it was confronted with the US Virgin Islands.

The Pacific Island Nation played the American side in his first game of the Outrigger Cup Mini Tournament in Arkansas and lost 4-0.

As reported by AthleticsThe first game took place in Springdale, almost 10,000 km (6,200 miles) away from the islands, which is home to the largest Marshallese population outside the nation itself.

Although there are other countries that have not played a FIFA-accredited fixture, the Marshall Islands, with a population of less than 40,000 inhabitants, is the last nation that has never played an 11-a-side match.

The football leadership of the Marshall Islands, a mix of British and Marshallese coaches and volunteers, ultimately wants to receive recognition from FIFA and the OFC.

«Playing our first 11-a-side game is incredible from where we started; it was just a pipedream. But we have created many paths and structures for children to play and adults to coach,» said head coach Lloyd Owers said Athletics In March.

«We want to play 11 vs 11, represent the country and be the first group of people who do that.»

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Historically, football was not played on the Marshall Islands due to a lack of pitch room, coaching expertise and wider interest, with the nation much more in the sporting track of the United States. Basketball is the most popular sport.

Another challenge is climate change, with the nation on average only two meters above sea level. The team wants to use football to make awareness of the fate of the islands.

The Marshall Islands will now play matches against Guam and the Turkish and Caicos Islands in the coming week.