Grace Taeoalii (left) smiles with teammates after a hard-fought match that led Samoa to the World Cup. (Photo courtesy of Kelly Taeoalii)
Grace Taeoalii (left) smiles with teammates after a hard-fought match that led Samoa to the World Cup. (Photo courtesy of Kelly Taeoalii)
Next year, Utah will shine on the global stage at one of the world’s most coveted competitions—the FIFA U17 World Cup. Leading the charge is Grace Taeoalii, a remarkable teenager from Murray who, despite not yet being a professional player, a college athlete, or even a high school graduate, help captained the Samoan women’s team to their historic first-ever World Cup berth.
Sixteen-year-old Grace Taeoalii has been playing soccer for as long as she can remember. From kicking a ball around her backyard in Utah to captaining the Samoa U16 Women’s National Team, Grace Taeoalii’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Her achievements reached a historic milestone this year as she helped lead Samoa to qualify for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, marking the first time a Samoan team, male or female, has made it to this global stage.
“It’s amazing. I knew deep down that we could do it. It still doesn’t even seem real though,” Grace Taeoalii said.
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) championship, held earlier this year, saw the Samoan team secure their World Cup spot after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over New Caledonia in the semifinals. In previous years, only the winner of the OFC tournament would qualify for the World Cup. However, a recent rule change by FIFA allowed two teams to advance, giving Samoa a rare opportunity. Although they lost to New Zealand in the finals, finishing in second place, both teams earned the coveted ticket to Morocco in 2025.
The journey to the World Cup began in June during the pre-qualifying tournament in New Zealand. Samoa faced tough competition but managed to defeat both Papua New Guinea and American Samoa with decisive 11-0 victories. Grace Taeoalii captained the team during these matches, demonstrating not only her skill on the field but also her leadership.
The path to qualification was not without challenges. Grace Taeoalii recounts a dramatic moment during the pre-qualifier, where she was kicked in the face during a match. “They showed it in slow motion on the replay, and it was yucky,” she said. Yet, she remained undeterred, pushing through the adversity to help lead her team to success.
In September, Samoa faced off against regional teams like the Cook Islands, Tonga, and Fiji in the main qualifier in Fiji, ultimately finishing second to New Zealand. Their remarkable run was highlighted by a strong defense and teamwork, securing shutout victories over teams like the Cook Islands (10-0) and Tonga (2-0).
“This has all been a lot for someone so young, and she has handled it all quite well,” her mother, Kelly Taeoalii said. “Our family is so excited and proud of Grace. We have Taeoalii family in Utah, Hawaii, Florida, and Samoa, and they have all been checking in and cheering from wherever they are.”
Growing up in Utah, Grace Taeoalii found herself in a state where soccer is extremely popular, offering numerous opportunities for young players. “Growing up in Utah, there are a lot of great coaches and great opportunities because soccer is so huge here,” Grace Taeoalii said. “We have most of my Samoan family that lives nearby, so we get together a lot, and it’s always a fun time.”
Grace Taeoalii is not only representing Samoa but also her hometown of Murray, where she attends Murray High School. Balancing her commitment to the national team and her schoolwork has been challenging. Over the past year, she has missed significant events such as her sister’s graduation and even some school sports seasons due to her international soccer obligations. Despite the demanding schedule, she has managed to keep up with her studies, thanks to the flexibility and support of her school’s staff.
“The school has been amazing to work with me and help me figure out schoolwork when I am gone so much,” she said. “I do a lot of classes online but am still able to go to school when I am home and work on my online classes at the high school so I can still have the high school experience I want.”
Soccer runs deep in the Taeoalii family. Grace Taeoalii’s older sisters, Faith (now playing at Southwestern Oregon Community College) and Sariah (now playing at Utah State Eastern) also played for the Samoa Women’s team, inspiring her to follow in their footsteps. “I loved going to Fiji to watch them play in 2022, and we all laughed when the coach asked where my cleats were,” Grace Taeoalii said. “I was too young then but told him I would be coming soon!”
Indeed, the coach’s prediction came true, and Grace Taeoalii soon found herself donning the same jersey her sisters once wore. This time, however, she was without them on the field as they had aged out of the U16 competition. “I really missed my sisters because it was the first time I didn’t have them with me on the team,” she said.
Kelly Taeoalii fondly recalled the emotional moments of watching all her daughters represent Samoa. “Watching them walk onto the pitch following the Samoan flag and sing the Samoan national anthem from their hearts with their teammates makes me cry every time. My heart is so full of awe and gratitude.”
Even though Grace Taeoalii spends most of her time in Utah, she remains deeply connected to her Samoan roots. “We have a family reunion every summer where we have classes about our culture and stuff,” she said. “I stay really connected to the other girls on the team as well through social media.”
One of the team’s traditions is to sing the Samoan national anthem on the field before each game, a practice that fills Grace Taeoalii with pride. “It’s a really pretty song, and it makes me feel so lucky to be out there representing my family in Utah and Samoa.”
Grace Taeoalii’s success story is not just about soccer; it’s about perseverance, culture, and the power of dreams. For young girls in both Samoa and Utah, she has become a role model, showing that barriers can be broken with hard work and determination. Her message to aspiring athletes is simple but powerful: “You can do it if you put your mind to it. It won’t be easy and takes a lot of work, but it’s totally worth it. Don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done.”
Five players from Utah, including Grace Taeoalii, will be representing Samoa at the World Cup next year, showcasing the growing ties between the Samoan community and Utah. “It’s such an exciting time for the soccer community in Utah,” Kelly Taeoalii exclaimed. “We have received so much love and encouragement along the way. There are even Utah girls who played for the Tonga team, and they brought home the bronze medal this tournament.”
As Grace Taeoalii and her teammates prepare for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, their eyes are set on representing Samoa on the global stage. “I want to represent Samoa well and make my family proud,” Grace Taeoalii said.
“I never could have imagined any of this. It has all been surreal,” Kelly Taeoalii said. “Soccer has taken us all over the Pacific. We have connected with such lovely people and families and have so many new forever friends. Being involved with the Football Federation of Samoa has changed all of our lives, and we are so very grateful for every opportunity we have been given.” λ
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