FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — With the Marshall Islands Soccer Federation in Northwest Arkansas this week for its first-ever international 11-a-side soccer match, the community is taking the time to help the team feel at home.

Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville held an opening celebration August 12 with remarks, a cultural exchange and opportunities to meet players and coaches from the Marshall Islands.

The event marks the end of the Marshall Islands' status as the last nation on Earth without international sports recognition.

"In two and a half years, we've gone from zero activity in the Marshall Islands itself to now this," said Lloyd Owens, men's head coach for the Marshall Islands Soccer Federation. "But over the journey, we've come across the Marshallese population and the people in

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