American Samoa‘s women’s national team has rewritten the script in World Cup qualifying, turning a fairy tale of upsets into a serious dark horse run. Entering the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) qualifiers as the lowest-ranked team at 153rd globally, they’ve defied every expectation with a string of shocking victories.
With an estimated population of 45,319, the island’s entire populace wouldn’t fill the smallest stadium at next year’s FIFA showcase. Yet, this tiny nation is making big waves on the pitch.
Captain Alma Mana’o frames the team’s ethos around family. “Family is above all,” she says, a sentiment reflected in the squad’s composition—multiple sets of sisters play together. “This is a family, we have got to get together, hold our sisters accountable and push each other,” Mana’o adds. Her own family holds the record for most members in FIFA events, with Alma joking, “If we can’t win, we’re going to have the most kids!”
The journey began in November, when American Samoa faced Tonga, the highest-ranked side in their initial qualifier. At 153rd, nothing was expected. But on the stroke of half-time, 18-year-old Cassidy Drago scored the nation’s first-ever Women’s World Cup qualifying goal. Drago netted a second soon after, leading to a 3-0 victory that stunned observers.
In early December, Cook Islands fell in another upset, securing American Samoa’s spot in the second round. “Us going to the second round surprised everyone,” Mana’o recalls with a grin.
Reality seemed poised to strike next. Solomon Islands, ranked 80 places higher at 73rd and 2025 Pacific Nations Cup champions, loomed. They had beaten American Samoa 7-1 in Olympic qualifying. Yet, 90 minutes later, the scoreboard read: American Samoa 1 Solomon Islands 0—one of the greatest shocks in Women’s World Cup qualifying history.
A 1-0 win over neighboring Samoa last month sealed their place in the final OFC qualifying round. Mana’o sums it up: the team has gone “from underdog to dark horse.”
On Sunday, American Samoa faces Papua New Guinea in Auckland, where they played their first women’s international 28 years ago—a 21-0 loss to Australia. Now, under coach Amanda Cromwell, a 1996 US Olympic gold medalist, they’ve won four of five games. Cromwell’s impact is pivotal, says Mana’o. “This doesn’t happen without her pushing the federation to get us all together, to have certain meal plans, to have a trainer making sure we’re taken care of,” she states, adding, “This new standard will be the standard.”
Mana’o, the first “off island” girl to play for American Samoa in 2011 at age 15, recalls a “shattering” 8-0 debut defeat. She contrasts that with today’s young talents like 14-year-olds Mia Toeaina and Naiyah Anaiyah Ve’e. “To have all these young girls that are 14 years old coming in and having positive experiences, it’s amazing,” she says.
Reflecting on the team’s rise, Mana’o smiles: “Fifteen-year-old-me is ecstatic.”
