Vanuatu national football team

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Vanuatu
Shirt badge/Association crest
AssociationVanuatu Football Federation
ConfederationOFC (Oceania)
Head coachEmerson Alcântara
CaptainKensi Tangis
Most capsRichard Iwai (34)
Top scorerRichard Iwai (20)[1]
Home stadiumPort Vila Municipal Stadium
FIFA codeVAN
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 172 Decrease 2 (4 April 2024)[2]
Highest131 (October 2007)
Lowest201 (October–November 2015)
First international
 New Zealand 9–0 New Hebrides 
(Nouméa, New Caledonia; 4 October 1951)[3]
Biggest win
 Kiribati 0–18 Vanuatu 
(Lautoka, Fiji; 7 July 2003)
Biggest defeat
 New Zealand 9–0 New Hebrides 
(Nouméa, New Caledonia; 4 October 1951)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances9 (first in 1973)
Best resultFourth place (1973, 2000, 2002, 2008)

The Vanuatu men's national football team (French: équipe du Vanuatu de football) represents Vanuatu in international football, and is controlled by the Vanuatu Football Federation.[5][6]

History[edit]

Early years (1951–2022)[edit]

It was known as the New Hebrides until the New Hebrides became Republic of Vanuatu in 1980. It finished fourth in the OFC Nations Cup in 1973, 2000, and 2002. In the 2004 Oceania Nations Cup, Vanuatu beat New Zealand 4–2, preventing the regional powerhouse from making the final and, consequently, the running for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Vanuatu caused another shock in the 2007 South Pacific Games by knocking out the Solomon Islands for bronze medal and also enable to enter the second stage of qualification for the OFC Nations Cup and consequently a chance with a playoff for the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa. The last time they had won against Solomon Islands was back in 1998 and had since been on the receiving side of many losses save for one draw against them. In July 2008, Vanuatu faced two national teams from the Solomon Islands during the inaugural edition of the Wantok Cup. Vanuatu lost 1–2 to the Solomons' team A, but defeated their team B by two goals to one.

Recognition of the team efforts (2023–present)[edit]

In 2023, Vanuatu was invited for the 2023 Intercontinental Cup tournament held in India which is the team first tournament outside Oceania. In the first match on 9 June 2023, they would face Lebanon but suffered a 3–1 defeat. In the next match, Vanuatu conceded a late goal losing to host India on a narrow 1–0 lost. On 15 June 2023, Vanuatu found themselves with a bright smiles as they would go on to win Mongolia 1–0 thus earning them the 3 points and finishing in third place.

FIFA Series tournament[edit]

In 2024, FIFA invited Vanuatu to the 2024 FIFA Series tournament held from 21 to 26 March 2024 in Jeddah where they would face Guinea (CAF) and Brunei (AFC). On 21 March, Vanuatu faced their first ever opponent from the Africa continent, Guinea in a 6–0 lost.

Team image[edit]

Kit sponsorship[edit]

Kit provider[7] Period
Italy Lotto 2004–2011
United States Nike 2012
Australia Veto 2013–2016
New Zealand Pasifika 2017
Australia Gorilla Sports 2018–2020
Australia KPI Sports 2020–2022
Italy Macron 2022–2023
Italy Lotto 2022–present

Results and fixtures[edit]

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023[edit]

9 June Intercontinental Cup Lebanon  3–1  Vanuatu Bhubaneswar, India
16:30 UTC+5:30
Report Wohale 61' Stadium: Kalinga Stadium
Referee: Harish Kundu (India)
12 June Intercontinental Cup Vanuatu  0–1  India Bhubaneswar, India
19:30 UTC+5:30 Report
Stadium: Kalinga Stadium
Referee: Virendha Rai (Bhutan)
15 June Intercontinental Cup Vanuatu  1–0  Mongolia Bhubaneswar, India
14:30 UTC+5:30 Gantuyaa 46' (o.g.) Report Stadium: Kalinga Stadium
Referee: Songkran Bunmeekiart (Thailand)
20 November 2023 Pacific Games Tuvalu  0–6  Vanuatu Honiara, Solomon Islands
12:00 Report
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
Referee: Shama Maemae (Solomon Islands)
23 November 2023 Pacific Games Vanuatu  1−1  Papua New Guinea Honiara, Solomon Islands
12:00
Report
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)
28 November 2023 Pacific Games New Caledonia  1−0  Vanuatu Honiara, Solomon Islands
12:00
Report Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
Referee: CK Kawana-Vaugh (New Zealand)
1 December 2023 Pacific Games Vanuatu  2−4  Fiji Honiara, Solomon Islands
15:00
Report
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
Referee: Ben Aukwai (Solomon Islands)

2024[edit]

21 March 2024 FIFA Series Guinea  6−0  Vanuatu Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
22:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City
Referee: Ahmed Al Ali (Jordan)

Coaching staff[edit]

Position
Head coach Brazil Emerson Alcantara
Assistant coach Vanuatu George Amos
Assistant coach Vanuatu François Sakama
Team Manager Vanuatu Peter Takaro
Goalkeeper coach Vanuatu Jimmy Obed
Assistant Goalkeeper coach Vanuatu Jean Yves Galinie
Physio Vanuatu Albert Lata

Coaching history[edit]

New Hebrides

Vanuatu

Players[edit]

Current squad[edit]

The following players were called up for the 2024 FIFA Series matches against Guinea and Brunei on 21 and 26 March 2024.[8]

Caps and goals are correct as of 14 October 2023, after the match against Papua New Guinea.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Joshua Willie (2000-06-13) June 13, 2000 (age 23) 1 0 Vanuatu ABM Galaxy
22 1GK James Iamar (1997-01-25) January 25, 1997 (age 27) 0 0 Vanuatu Tafea
1GK Dgen Leo (2000-08-06) August 6, 2000 (age 23) 0 0 Vanuatu Ruerue

4 2DF Michel Coulon (1995-12-03) 3 December 1995 (age 28) 15 1 Vanuatu Yatel
5 2DF Timothy Boulet (1998-11-29) November 29, 1998 (age 25) 9 0 New Zealand Auckland City
15 2DF Lency Philip (1997-06-08) 8 June 1997 (age 26) 7 0 Vanuatu ABM Galaxy
2DF Samuel Kaloros (1989-09-16) 16 September 1989 (age 34) 3 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird
2DF Jared Clark (1998-01-21) 21 January 1998 (age 26) 1 0 Australia Croydon
2DF Kerry Iawak (1996-03-16) 16 March 1996 (age 28) 0 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird
2DF Joseph Kalotiti 0 0

8 3MF John Alick (1991-04-25) 25 April 1991 (age 32) 16 0 Solomon Islands Solomon Warriors
3MF Jayson Timatua (1998-12-27) 27 December 1998 (age 25) 3 0 Vanuatu Shepherds United
6 3MF Claude Aru (1997-04-25) 25 April 1997 (age 26) 7 1 Vanuatu North Efate United
12 3MF John Wohale (1997-07-09) 9 July 1997 (age 26) 9 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird
14 3MF Joe Moses (2002-05-22) 22 May 2002 (age 21) 3 0 Vanuatu ABM Galaxy
3MF Bong Kalo (1997-01-18) 18 January 1997 (age 27) 19 2 Vanuatu ABM Galaxy
15 3MF Barry Mansale (1995-11-01) 1 November 1995 (age 28) 10 1 Vanuatu ABM Galaxy
3MF Jonathan Spokeyjack (1998-11-13) 13 November 1998 (age 25) 9 1 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird
3MF Alick Worworbu (1997-08-27) 27 August 1997 (age 26) 0 0 Vanuatu Yatel

4FW Kensi Tangis (1991-12-19) 19 December 1991 (age 32) 26 4 Vanuatu ABM Galaxy
17 4FW Godine Tenene (1998-05-03) 3 May 1998 (age 25) 8 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird
4FW Maliwan Thomas (2005-01-26) 26 January 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Vanuatu Tafea
4FW Keshly Joseph 0 0

Recent call-ups[edit]

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Anthony Taiwia (1994-09-04) 4 September 1994 (age 29) 0 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird 2023 Pacific Games
GK Massing Kalotang (2002-08-26) August 26, 2002 (age 21) 8 0 Vanuatu Yatel 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
GK Serge Daniel (1991-02-16) 16 February 1991 (age 33) 4 0 Vanuatu Erakor Golden Star v.  Solomon Islands, 23 March 2023

DF Tasso Jeffrey (1998-08-12) 12 August 1998 (age 25) 1 0 Australia Gawler Eagles 2023 Pacific Games
DF Bethuel Ollie (1997-08-19) 19 August 1997 (age 26) 2 0 Vanuatu North Efate United 2023 Pacific Games
DF Zidane Maguekon (2000-06-03) June 3, 2000 (age 23) 1 0 Vanuatu Vaum United 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
DF Terry Thomas 0 0 Vanuatu 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
DF Sylvain Worworbu (1998-08-17) August 17, 1998 (age 25) 0 0 Vanuatu Police FC 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
DF Brian Kaltak (1993-09-30) 30 September 1993 (age 30) 22 5 Australia Central Coast Mariners v.  Mongolia, 15 June 2023
DF Jason Thomas (1997-01-20) 20 January 1997 (age 27) 21 0 Vanuatu Erakor Golden Star v.  Mongolia, 15 June 2023
DF Selwyn Vatu (1998-06-13) 13 June 1998 (age 25) 14 0 Vanuatu ABM Galaxy v.  Mongolia, 15 June 2023
DF James Chilia (2001-03-23) 23 March 2001 (age 23) 0 0 Vanuatu Tupuji Imere v.  Mongolia, 15 June 2023

MF Raoul Coulon (1995-12-03) 3 December 1995 (age 28) 3 0 Vanuatu Yatel 2023 Pacific Games
MF Jean Taussi (1996-07-17) 17 July 1996 (age 27) 3 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird 2023 Pacific Games
MF Lee Taiwia (1995-12-23) 23 December 1995 (age 28) 0 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird 2023 Pacific Games
MF Elkington Molivakarua (1993-03-03) March 3, 1993 (age 31) 11 3 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
MF Dominique Fred (1992-10-21) October 21, 1992 (age 31) 7 1 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
MF Tyson Gere (2000-07-11) July 11, 2000 (age 23) 0 0 Vanuatu VFF Academy 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup

FW Azariah Soromon (1999-03-01) 1 March 1999 (age 25) 17 7 Fiji Suva 2023 Pacific Games
FW Alex Saniel (1996-11-08) 8 November 1996 (age 27) 13 1 Fiji Suva 2023 Pacific Games
FW Tonly Kalotang (1997-05-19) 19 May 1997 (age 26) 2 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird 2023 Pacific Games
FW Jordy Tasip (2000-07-14) 14 July 2000 (age 23) 0 0 New Zealand Auckland City 2023 Pacific Games
FW Reginold Ravo (1997-08-25) August 25, 1997 (age 26) 1 0 Vanuatu Yatel 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
FW Rexly Butakol 0 0 Vanuatu Rainbow 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
FW Jacky Numake 0 0 Vanuatu Tafea 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
MF Dondy Kileiter (1994-09-11) 11 September 1994 (age 29) 0 0 Vanuatu ABM Galaxy v.  Solomon Islands, 23 March 2023

Player records[edit]

As of 21 March 2024[9]
Players in bold are still active with Vanuatu.

Competitive record[edit]

FIFA World Cup[edit]

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Host Result Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1986 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1990  Italy Did not enter Did not enter
1994  United States Did not qualify 4 0 0 4 1 18
1998  France 2 0 1 1 2 3
2002  South Korea
 Japan
4 1 0 3 11 21
2006  Germany 9 4 1 4 21 11
2010  South Africa 12 5 1 6 30 19
2014  Brazil 3 1 0 2 8 9
2018  Russia 3 1 0 2 3 8
2022  Qatar Withdrew Withdrew
2026  Canada
 Mexico
 United States
To be determined To be determined
2030  Morocco
 Portugal
 Spain
2034  Saudi Arabia
Total 0/9 37 12 3 22 76 89

OFC Nations Cup[edit]

Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
as  New Hebrides as  New Hebrides
New Zealand 1973 Fourth place 4th 5 1 1 3 5 10 Squad No qualification
New Caledonia 1980 Group stage 7th 3 0 0 3 6 9
as  Vanuatu as  Vanuatu
Pacific Community 1996 Did not qualify 4 0 1 3 5 12
Australia 1998 Group stage 5th 2 0 0 2 2 13 Squad 4 2 1 1 8 6
French Polynesia 2000 Fourth place 4th 4 1 0 3 5 8 Squad 4 2 0 2 12 7
New Zealand 2002 4th 5 2 0 3 2 6 Squad Qualified automatically
Australia 2004 Group stage 6th 5 1 0 4 5 9 Squad 4 3 1 0 16 2
Pacific Community 2008 Fourth place 4th 6 1 1 4 5 13 Squad 6 4 0 2 25 6
Solomon Islands 2012 Group stage 5th 3 1 0 2 8 9 Squad Qualified automatically
Papua New Guinea 2016 7th 3 1 0 2 3 8 Squad
Vanuatu 2024 Qualified Qualified as host
Total Fourth place 10/11 36 8 2 25 41 85 22 11 3 8 66 33

Pacific Games[edit]

Pacific Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
as  New Hebrides
Fiji 1963 Group stage 6th 1 0 0 1 3 6
New Caledonia 1966 Third place 3rd 4 1 2 1 9 14
Papua New Guinea 1969 Group stage 5th 5 1 1 3 13 13
French Polynesia 1971 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 1 1 9 12
Guam 1975 Group stage 5th 2 0 0 2 1 6
Fiji 1979 Fifth place 5th 6 4 0 2 19 6
as  Vanuatu
Samoa 1983 Group stage 6th 1 0 0 1 0 6
New Caledonia 1987 Fourth place 4th 6 2 1 3 16 13
Papua New Guinea 1991 Fourth place 4th 5 2 0 3 9 8
French Polynesia 1995 Fourth place 4th 5 2 0 3 10 9
Fiji 2003 Third place 3rd 6 3 3 0 23 3
Samoa 2007 Third place 3rd 6 4 0 2 25 6
New Caledonia 2011 Group stage 6th 5 4 0 1 18 7
Papua New Guinea 2015 See Vanuatu national under-23 football team
Samoa 2019 Group stage 5th 4 2 1 1 25 2
Solomon Islands 2023 Semi-finals 4th 4 1 1 2 9 6
Total 15/15 0 Titles 64 28 10 26 189 117

Head-to-head record[edit]

Up to matches played on 26 March 2024.

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD WPCT
 American Samoa 4 4 0 0 39 1 +38 100.00
 Australia 4 0 0 4 0 7 −7 0.00
 Brunei 1 0 0 1 2 3 −1 0.00
 Cook Islands 1 1 0 0 8 1 +7 100.00
 Estonia 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0.00
 Fiji 36 10 7 19 39 82 −43 27.78
 Guam 3 3 0 0 14 0 +14 100.00
 Guinea 1 0 0 1 0 6 −6 0.00
 India 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0.00
 Indonesia 1 0 0 1 0 6 −6 0.00
 Kiribati 1 1 0 0 18 0 +18 100.00
 Lebanon 1 0 0 1 1 3 −2 0.00
 Mongolia 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100.00
 New Caledonia 40 8 7 25 45 101 −56 20.00
 New Zealand 12 1 0 11 10 58 −48 8.33
 Papua New Guinea 23 9 5 9 33 29 +4 39.13
 Samoa[a] 5 5 0 0 36 1 +35 100.00
 Solomon Islands 35 6 7 22 37 78 −41 17.14
 Tahiti 26 5 3 18 28 64 −36 19.23
 Tonga 5 5 0 0 33 2 +31 100.00
 Tuvalu 4 4 0 0 22 1 +21 100.00
 Wallis and Futuna 2 2 0 0 10 1 +9 100.00
Total 208 65 29 114 376 446 −70 31.25
  1. ^ Includes results as Western Samoa.

Historical kits[edit]

1987 Home
1992 Home
1992 Away
1999
2000 Home
2002 Home
2004 Home
2004 Away
2007
2009
2011 Home
2011 Away
2012 Home
2012 Away
2016 Home
2017 Home
2017 Away
2017
2019 Home
2022 Home
2022 Away
2024 Home
2024 Away

Sources:[10][11][12][13][14][15][16]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Mamrud, Roberto; Stokkermans, Karel. "Players with 100+ Caps and 30+ International Goals". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  2. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Vanuatu (New Hebrides) – List of International matches". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  4. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Micronesia suffer another humiliating defeat after 46–0 loss to Vanuatu | Football". The Guardian. 1 January 1970. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  6. ^ Sarkar, Uttiyo (4 June 2023). "Hero Intercontinental Cup Rival Watch: Vanuatu". khelnow.com. Khel Now India. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Antigo(a) Vanuatu camisas de futebol". Archived from the original on 14 June 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  8. ^ "Hemia Hemi ofisal list blong nasonal tim we bae I tekem pat long fes edition blong FIFA Series we Vanuatu" (in Bislama). Vanuatu Football Federation. 16 March 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Vanuatu". National Football Teams.
  10. ^ "ANOTANDO FÚTBOL - VANUATU".
  11. ^ "2007".
  12. ^ "2011".
  13. ^ "2012".
  14. ^ "2017".
  15. ^ "2019".
  16. ^ "2024".

Notes[edit]

External links[edit]