JAIYAH SAELUA

She/Her

“Jaiyah Saelua, who is American Samoan, is the first openly non-binary and trans woman to compete in a FIFA World Cup qualifier. The soccer star identifies as fa’afafine, a third gender in Polynesian society.” “Saelua plays in full make-up whenever she takes to the football field. She is known for her crunching tackles and is described as a defender who ‘takes no prisoners.’ Since becoming the first non-binary player to play in a FIFA-sanctioned tournament, Saelua has become a FIFA ambassador for equality and LGBT athletes. She was also appointed to the jury of the FIFA Diversity Award.” She appeared in the 2014 documentary, Next Goal Wins, about her time with the American Samoa national team, and a fictionalized version of her was featured in a 2023 Taika Waititi film of the same name.” [Source 1, Source 2]

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