Mia Bhuta is a teenager who scripted history by becoming the first Indian American to play for the US team at any FIFA World Cup. The daughter of an Indian father and an American mother, Bhuta, played at FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup against India. She made the eighth and final goal in the 62nd minute, beating her father’s native country 8-0.
On her Indian roots, Bhuta said, “India has so much potential. There’s so much talent here. The world needs to invest in them more. They need to believe in young girls and give them opportunities to succeed. And I think they can go really far.”
She graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School, a year early, finishing up last June. She will join Stanford this January, where she will be on the women’s soccer team.
She also credits her parents who supported her unconventional career choice. She said, “It was a big moment not only for me but for them. They are one of the main reasons I’ve been able to make it here. They’ve sacrificed so much for me to be here. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here. My brother and sister have been my training partners.”
“They help me with what I need to get done, but also let me live a normal life, like getting my school work done and being with friends. I owe a big part of who I am to them. They helped me grow as a whole person.” adds Bhuta.
