The Fiji Young Kulas are set to make history as they become the first Fijian women’s team to participate in a FIFA World Cup event when they take the field in Colombia tomorrow. Coached by Angeline Chua, the team will face off against football powerhouse Brazil at Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellín.
The Young Kulas have a challenging start, drawn in Group B alongside formidable teams such as France and Canada, but assistant coach Annette Nainima emphasizes that the team is both “excited and nervous” about the opportunity. “For most of them, they usually just watch the Women Under-20 World Cup on TV, cheering for their favorite teams. To now play against a team like Brazil or Canada is monumental for them,” she shared.
Fiji’s journey to the World Cup commenced in October when FIFA expanded the U-20 Women’s World Cup from 16 to 24 teams. The team had previously secured a spot by finishing as runners-up to New Zealand in the 2023 OFC U-19 Women’s Championship in July. Initially, there was only one place available for OFC at the World Cup, but the expansion allowed Fiji to join New Zealand in Colombia.
Nainima expressed gratitude for the support from their federation back home, noting that their CEO was particularly enthusiastic about ensuring the team had the best resources available for their campaign.
The Young Kulas have undergone extensive preparations for the tournament, including a training camp in Canberra and pre-tournament matches in the United States and Costa Rica. These experiences served as an “eye-opening” opportunity for the players, as they were exposed to diverse playing styles from various regions around the world.
Nainima reflected on how the team’s usual formations were challenged during their international visits, with many players taken aback by the size and resources of other teams. “Coming from a small country, it’s significant for us to see something like that,” she said.
Most players are based in Fiji, with many being part of the senior squad from this year’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament. To bolster their ranks, Fiji also welcomed 15-year-old goalkeeper Aliana Vakaloloma and Fullerton Titans player Talei Moodie from the Fijian diaspora in the U.S. in recent weeks.
Nainima noted that integrating new players was a focus for the coaches, and Moodie quickly blended with the team upon her arrival. “We were pleasantly surprised by how easily she fit in with the girls, sharing stories and singing together,” she said.
The Young Kulas will begin their World Cup campaign against Brazil at 11 AM on Sunday, September 1, followed by matches against Canada at 1 PM on Wednesday, September 4, and France at 10 AM on Saturday, September 7, all in Fiji time.