Micronesia Football Shirts to Fund International Fixtures
607 islands
104,468 people
4 states
18 languages (the least popular having just 30 speakers)
A Gross Domestic Product (GDP) four times smaller than the Solomon Islands
Just one recorded win in the history of their national team
It can only be The Federated States of Micronesia.
Reeling from their last international fixture in 2015, a 46-0 shellacking by fellow Oceanian underdog, Vanuatu in the South Pacific Games, The Federated States of Micronesia are embarking on a brave project for 2024: to play more international fixtures.
Having only played nine games in their history (including 17-0 and 18-0 losses to Tahiti and New Caledonia respectively), the confederation of volcanic islands and atolls are keen to dust themselves down and improve. Of course, the only real way to improve is to play more matches, but financing is a major issue.
The largest income source for the country is US foreign aid, comprising £1.3 billion. It is otherwise an economy of fishing and subsistence agriculture. Although deeply beautiful, it is geographically isolated and does not currently have the infrastructure to support tourism.
But there is hope on the horizon, thanks to a collaboration with kit manufacturers, Stingz.
In 2023, the shirt makers designed and created kits for the four states that make up the federation: Yap, Chuuk, Kosrae and Pohnpei. They sold the eye-catching jerseys internationally and used profits to fund the holding of the country’s first-ever futsal tournament.
This year, Stingz have released a brand-new away kit for the federation and are using the profits to fund Micronesia’s next international fixtures.
Stingz said:
“The shirts, which depict unique aspects of Micronesia’s culture will play a crucial part in helping football’s biggest underdogs get their shot at glory.
“Lack of funding from the game’s governing body, and the travel distances to the nearest potential opponents, have made it tough to find a way to avenge their 46-0 loss. But Micronesia’s Football Association plans to use the funds raised from shirt sales to line up a friendly, either at home or away.”
The kits are available to purchase here, alongside numerous other fascinating kits from low-profile teams
