The Marshall Islands, which was the only United Nations-recognized country without a national soccer team, will debut its men’s team at the 2025 Outrigger Challenge Cup, hosted from Aug. 11-17 at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium in Springdale.

The tournament will mark the first 11-a-side international match for the Marshall Islands and bring together three island nations and one regional team.

The Marshall Islands will face two FIFA-affiliated nations — the U.S. Virgin Islands and Turks & Caicos Islands — as well as a regional U-19 side from Rogers-based Ozark United FC. The Marshall Islands will play the U.S. Virgin Islands at 8 p.m. Aug. 14 and Turks & Caicos at 1 p.m. Aug. 16.

The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation launched in 2020 to bring the country into global football competitions and build toward eventual FIFA membership.

“The team’s international debut follows a successful futsal campaign last year and has been made possible through crowdfunding and support from the diaspora community,” the release shows.

The tournament is expected to draw large crowds, according to the release. Springdale is home to the largest Marshallese population outside the islands. The 6,000-seat Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium is home to Springdale High School football.

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