Photo credit: FIFA via Getty Images
When Fiji’s Young Kulas step onto the pitch against Brazil at Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellín, Colombia on Sunday, they will make history as the first Fiji women’s side to play in a FIFA Women’s World Cup at any level.
They have a tough first assignment, being drawn in Group B alongside France, Canada and their first opponents Brazil, but it’s a challenge the Young Kulas assistant coach Annette Nainima says the team is both “excited and nervous for”.
“For the majority of them, most of them just watch the Women Under-20 World Cup on TV, and then they all choose their own favourite teams and cheer for them.
“And now to play against a team like Brazil, Canada, this is something big for them.”
Fiji’s road to the World Cup began in October after FIFA expanded the U-20 Women’s World Cup format from 16 to 24 teams. Fiji had already played in the OFC qualifying competition, finishing runners up to New Zealand in the 2023 OFC U-19 Women’s Championship in July.
At the time there was just one place at the World Cup for OFC, but the tournament expansion opened the door for Fiji to join the New Zealanders in Colombia.
“We had so much support from our federation as well back at home.
“Our CEO, he was quite excited. He went all in, making sure that we get the best of everything and stuff like that.”
The Young Kulas have enjoyed an extensive build up to the tournament, leaving no stone unturned to ensure the Angeline Chua-coached team is as prepared as they possibly can be for the world stage, with the team coming together for a camp in Canberra and stopping in the United States of America and Costa Rica for pre-tournament friendlies on the way to Colombia.
This was an “eye-opening” education for the team, Nainima explained.
“We managed to see the different playing styles of all different types of teams in different areas around the world.
“We normally stick to certain formations back at home, so going to a different country altogether and seeing the different styles of play and probably see their coaches, their technical team, I would say most of [the girls] were shocked. They were like, ‘oh my gosh, look at their team, they have so many coaches, so many staff on board’.
“And then here’s us from Fiji coming with just the coach, assistant coach, physio and doctor… coming from a small country, it’s big for us to see something like that.”
Most of the Young Kulas are Fiji-based, with the bulk of the group part of the senior squad at this year’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Fiji also looked to strengthen the squad through the Fijian diaspora in the US, welcoming 15-year-old- goalkeeper Aliana Vakaloloma and Fullerton Titans’ player Talei Moodie to the mix for the first time in the last few weeks. Nainima acknowledges that the integration piece was something the coaches were conscious of, with Moodie one of the last players to join the squad.
But they needn’t have worried.
“We were shocked when we met her at the airport,” she said.
“It was as if the girls knew her from way back – the way they started blending in with each other and making friends, singing, telling each other stories and stuff.
“It was good how she blended in well with the players. She brings a lot to the team.”
Looking ahead to their opening game against Brazil, Fiji’s aims are straightforward: to perform well and to score their first ever World Cup goal.
It will be “a proud moment for us, me and also the players and other officials,” smiles Nainima.
“It’s our first ever World Cup, and to go back and to tell the stories to our families and to our kids and loved ones and all… it’s something big because no one ever thought that Fiji women’s team would ever make it to the World Cup. But here we are.
“I know our family back at home has been so proud of us and waiting to watch us on TV and with the games all live.
“We’re just going to give our best.”
Full match schedule:
Fiji play Brazil in their first World Cup match at 11 am Sunday 1 September before meeting Canada at 1pm on Wednesday 4 September, and then France at 10am on Saturday 7 September (all Fiji time).
Details on how to watch Fiji’s matches can be viewed on FIFA.com.