Jaiyah Tauasuesimeamativa Saelua was born on July 19,1988 and is an American Samoan footballer who plays as a center-back for Ilaoa and To'omata and formerly the American Samoa national team.
20 Facts About Jaiyah Saelua
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Jaiyah Saelua is the first openly non-binary and trans woman to compete in a FIFA World Cup qualifier.
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Jaiyah Saelua was prominently featured in the 2014 documentary Next Goal Wins, about the American Samoa team, and the 2023 biographical comedy-drama of the same name directed by Taika Waititi, in which she is portrayed by Kaimana.
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Jaiyah Saelua has played for former FFAS Senior League men's champions FC SKBC.
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Jaiyah Saelua now plays for and captains her village club Ilaoa and To'omata.
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Jaiyah Saelua then made a further three substitute appearances in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, as well as 4 substitute appearances at the 2011 Pacific Games.
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Jaiyah Saelua was later sent a letter by FIFA president Sepp Blatter, recognising her achievements as the first openly transgender footballer to appear in a World Cup qualifying match.
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American Samoa's efforts to qualify for the 2014 World Cup are chronicled in the 2014 British Documentary Film Next Goal Wins, in which Jaiyah Saelua plays an integral part.
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Jaiyah Saelua considered the possibility of playing for the American Samoa women's team after she had medically transitioned.
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Jaiyah Saelua was recalled to the men's national squad for the 2019 Pacific Games, joining veteran goalkeeper Nicky Salapu.
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Jaiyah Saelua plays in full make-up whenever she takes to the football field.
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Jaiyah Saelua is known for her crunching tackles and is described as a defender who "takes no prisoners".
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Since becoming the first non-binary player to play in a FIFA-sanctioned tournament, Jaiyah Saelua has become a FIFA ambassador for equality and LGBT athletes.
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Jaiyah Saelua was appointed to the jury of the FIFA Diversity Award.
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Jaiyah Saelua has trained as a referee, and has helped referee matches in her American Samoan homeland.
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Jaiyah Saelua began her gender transition before the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers in 2015.
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Jaiyah Saelua has continued to play football after her transition, including at the 2019 Pacific Games.
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Jaiyah Saelua is featured in two films: firstly in the highly rated 2014 British documentary film Next Goal Wins, which documents the American Samoan football team's attempts to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and its first international win, and secondly in the Hollywood comedy-dramatization Next Goal Wins directed by Taika Waititi.
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Jaiyah Saelua is mentioned in the book Thirty-One Nil: On the Road With Football's Outsiders.
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Jaiyah Saelua is mentioned in the children's book Football School Star Players: 50 Inspiring Stories of True Football Heroes.