Devon coach helps Marshall Islands football team

The Marshall Islands team is ready for their first opponents

A footballer from Devon is helping to put a remote nation on the global football map.

Matt Webb, a centre-back for Sidmouth Town and marketing professional from Exeter, is behind the Marshall Islands' first-ever international soccer team.

On Friday he flies out with the squad to the United States for their debut match - marking a historic moment for a country which, until recently, had never fielded a national football team.

"We're very busy at the moment, planning ahead to our first ever international match, which is taking place very scarily next week in America," said Webb. "There have been quite a few pinch-yourself moments."

Matt Webb says it was a perfect fit

The Marshall Islands, a collection of islands in the Pacific between Hawaii and Australia, has never had an international soccer team.

But in 2023, a federation was formed to meet growing demand from children eager to play.

The initiative quickly gained momentum, powered by merchandise sales, donations, and the dedication of volunteers like Webb.

"I read about the story in The Athletic in August 2022," he told BBC Radio Devon.

"It was about the last nation on Earth without a soccer team.

"I love football, I work in marketing, I love travel, it felt like the perfect fit.

"I found the federation president on social media and said, 'I'll work for free. Just let me help.' And here we are, three years later."

Alongside him is Lloyd Owers, from Oxfordshire, who is technical director of the Marshall Islands Soccer Federation, as well as coach Justin Walley from Leicestershire.

The Marshall Islands is near Papua New Guinea

Joining Webb is Marshall Islands international player Danny Razook, who has lived on the islands on and off since childhood.

"This is one of the most unique places in the world," he said.

"There's almost zero crime, everyone rides bikes, and it's a great place to raise a family."

Razook will play as a defender in the team's first match.

"It's humbling, and it's going to be a great honour," he said. "I just want to do the Marshall Islands proud."

Their first opponents will be the US Virgin Islands, followed by Turks and Caicos, both nations with decades of FIFA membership behind them.

"It's a great opportunity," Webb said.

"We're still very much at the start of our journey. These teams are a few years ahead of us, at least.

"People see countries like San Marino and assume they're at the bottom, but they have infrastructure, funding, and quality players.

"We're expecting a real challenge."

'Surreal'

Webb said he felt optimistic about the team.

"We don't have too many expectations," he said.

"The main thing is getting a group together. I'm sure these guys are going to defy expectations."

The ultimate goal is FIFA recognition, which would unlock funding and allow the Marshall Islands to participate in World Cup qualifiers.

"As soon as you enter a confederation or FIFA, you receive funding that enables you to do these events frequently," Webb said.

"We've done a lot already with zero external funding, which we're very proud of."

For Razook, the moment he steps onto the pitch wearing the Marshall Islands badge will be unforgettable.

"It's surreal," he said. "I would have never, ever thought about that being in my future."