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]
Association | Vanuatu Football Federation | ||
---|---|---|---|
Confederation | OFC (Oceania) | ||
Head coach | Emerson Alcântara | ||
Captain | Kensi Tangis | ||
Most caps | Richard Iwai (34) | ||
Top scorer | Richard Iwai (20)[1] | ||
Home stadium | Port Vila Municipal Stadium | ||
FIFA code | VAN | ||
| |||
FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 170 (15 February 2024)[2] | ||
Highest | 131 (October 2007) | ||
Lowest | 201 (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 | |||
Appearances | 9 (first in 1973) | ||
Best result | Fourth place, 1973, 2000, 2002 and 2008 |
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.
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.
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.
Kit provider[7] | Period |
---|---|
Lotto | 2004–2011 |
Nike | 2012 |
Veto | 2013–2016 |
Pasifika | 2017 |
Gorilla Sports | 2018–2020 |
KPI Sports | 2020–2022 |
Macron | 2022–present |
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
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) |
8 October 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup | New Caledonia | 4–0 | Vanuatu | Nouméa, New Caledonia |
17:00 UTC+11:00 | Stadium: Stade Numa-Daly Magenta |
11 October 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup | Solomon Islands | 1–0 | Vanuatu | Koné, New Caledonia |
13:00 UTC+11:00 | Stadium: Stade Yoshida |
14 October 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup | Papua New Guinea | 0–1 | Vanuatu | Nouméa, New Caledonia |
14:00 UTC+11:00 | Stadium: Stade Numa-Daly Magenta |
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) |
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) |
26 March 2024 FIFA Series | Brunei | 3–2 | Vanuatu | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
Stadium: Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City |
15 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup | Solomon Islands | v | Vanuatu | Port Vila, Vanuatu |
Stadium: Freshwater Stadium |
18 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup | Vanuatu | v | New Caledonia | Port Vila, Vanuatu |
Stadium: Freshwater Stadium |
21 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup | Vanuatu | v | New Zealand | Port Vila, Vanuatu |
Stadium: Freshwater Stadium |
Position | |
---|---|
Head coach | Emerson Alcantara |
Assistant coach | George Amos |
Assistant coach | François Sakama |
Team Manager | Peter Takaro |
Goalkeeper coach | Jimmy Obed |
Assistant Goalkeeper coach | Jean Yves Galinie |
Physio | Albert Lata |
New Hebrides
Vanuatu
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Joshua Willie | June 13, 2000 | 1 | 0 | ABM Galaxy | |
22 | GK | James Iamar | January 25, 1997 | 0 | 0 | Tafea |
GK | Dgen Leo | August 6, 2000 | 0 | 0 | Ruerue | |
4 | DF | Michel Coulon | 3 December 1995 | 15 | 1 | Yatel |
5 | DF | Timothy Boulet | November 29, 1998 | 9 | 0 | Auckland City |
15 | DF | Lency Philip | 8 June 1997 | 7 | 0 | ABM Galaxy |
DF | Samuel Kaloros | 16 September 1989 | 3 | 0 | Ifira Black Bird | |
DF | Jared Clark | 21 January 1998 | 1 | 0 | Croydon | |
DF | Kerry Iawak | 16 March 1996 | 0 | 0 | Ifira Black Bird | |
DF | Joseph Kalotiti | 0 | 0 | |||
8 | MF | John Alick | 25 April 1991 | 16 | 0 | Solomon Warriors |
MF | Jayson Timatua | 27 December 1998 | 3 | 0 | Shepherds United | |
6 | MF | Claude Aru | 25 April 1997 | 7 | 1 | North Efate United |
12 | MF | John Wohale | 9 July 1997 | 9 | 0 | Ifira Black Bird |
14 | MF | Joe Moses | 22 May 2002 | 3 | 0 | ABM Galaxy |
MF | Bong Kalo | 18 January 1997 | 19 | 2 | ABM Galaxy | |
15 | MF | Barry Mansale | 1 November 1995 | 10 | 1 | ABM Galaxy |
MF | Jonathan Spokeyjack | 13 November 1998 | 9 | 1 | Ifira Black Bird | |
MF | Alick Worworbu | 27 August 1997 | 0 | 0 | Yatel | |
FW | Kensi Tangis | 19 December 1991 | 26 | 4 | ABM Galaxy | |
17 | FW | Godine Tenene | 3 May 1998 | 8 | 0 | Ifira Black Bird |
FW | Maliwan Thomas | 26 January 2005 | 0 | 0 | Tafea | |
FW | Keshly Joseph | 0 | 0 |
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Anthony Taiwia | 4 September 1994 | 0 | 0 | Ifira Black Bird | 2023 Pacific Games |
GK | Massing Kalotang | August 26, 2002 | 8 | 0 | Yatel | 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup |
GK | Serge Daniel | 16 February 1991 | 4 | 0 | Erakor Golden Star | v. Solomon Islands, 23 March 2023 |
DF | Tasso Jeffrey | 12 August 1998 | 1 | 0 | Gawler Eagles | 2023 Pacific Games |
DF | Bethuel Ollie | 19 August 1997 | 2 | 0 | North Efate United | 2023 Pacific Games |
DF | Zidane Maguekon | June 3, 2000 | 1 | 0 | Vaum United | 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup |
DF | Terry Thomas | 0 | 0 | 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup | ||
DF | Sylvain Worworbu | August 17, 1998 | 0 | 0 | Police FC | 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup |
DF | Brian Kaltak | 30 September 1993 | 22 | 5 | Central Coast Mariners | v. Mongolia, 15 June 2023 |
DF | Jason Thomas | 20 January 1997 | 21 | 0 | Erakor Golden Star | v. Mongolia, 15 June 2023 |
DF | Selwyn Vatu | 13 June 1998 | 14 | 0 | ABM Galaxy | v. Mongolia, 15 June 2023 |
DF | James Chilia | 23 March 2001 | 0 | 0 | Tupuji Imere | v. Mongolia, 15 June 2023 |
MF | Raoul Coulon | 3 December 1995 | 3 | 0 | Yatel | 2023 Pacific Games |
MF | Jean Taussi | 17 July 1996 | 3 | 0 | Ifira Black Bird | 2023 Pacific Games |
MF | Lee Taiwia | 23 December 1995 | 0 | 0 | Ifira Black Bird | 2023 Pacific Games |
MF | Elkington Molivakarua | March 3, 1993 | 11 | 3 | Ifira Black Bird | 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup |
MF | Dominique Fred | October 21, 1992 | 7 | 1 | Ifira Black Bird | 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup |
MF | Tyson Gere | July 11, 2000 | 0 | 0 | VFF Academy | 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup |
FW | Azariah Soromon | 1 March 1999 | 17 | 7 | Suva | 2023 Pacific Games |
FW | Alex Saniel | 8 November 1996 | 13 | 1 | Suva | 2023 Pacific Games |
FW | Tonly Kalotang | 19 May 1997 | 2 | 0 | Ifira Black Bird | 2023 Pacific Games |
FW | Jordy Tasip | 14 July 2000 | 0 | 0 | Auckland City | 2023 Pacific Games |
FW | Reginold Ravo | August 25, 1997 | 1 | 0 | Yatel | 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup |
FW | Rexly Butakol | 0 | 0 | Rainbow | 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup | |
FW | Jacky Numake | 0 | 0 | Tafea | 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup | |
MF | Dondy Kileiter | 11 September 1994 | 0 | 0 | ABM Galaxy | v. Solomon Islands, 23 March 2023 |
Most capped players edit
|
Top goalscorers 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 |
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 | |||||||||||||||
1973 | Fourth place | 4th | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 10 | Squad | No qualification | ||||||
1980 | Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 | — | |||||||
as Vanuatu | as Vanuatu | |||||||||||||||
1996 | Did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 12 | |||||||||
1998 | Group stage | 5th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 13 | Squad | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6 | |
2000 | Fourth place | 4th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 8 | Squad | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 7 | |
2002 | 4th | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | Squad | Qualified automatically | |||||||
2004 | Group stage | 6th | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 9 | Squad | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 2 | |
2008 | Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 13 | Squad | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 25 | 6 | |
2012 | Group stage | 5th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 9 | Squad | Qualified automatically | ||||||
2016 | 7th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 8 | Squad | ||||||||
2024 | Qualifield | Qualified as host | ||||||||||||||
Total | Fourth place | 10/11 | 36 | 8 | 2 | 25 | 41 | 82 | — | 22 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 66 | 33 |
Pacific Games record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
as New Hebrides | ||||||||
1963 | Group stage | 6th | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
1966 | Third place | 3rd | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 14 |
1969 | Group stage | 5th | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 13 |
1971 | Runners-up | 2nd | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 12 |
1975 | Group stage | 5th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
1979 | Fifth place | 5th | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 6 |
as Vanuatu | ||||||||
1983 | Group stage | 6th | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
1987 | Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 13 |
1991 | Fourth place | 4th | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 8 |
1995 | Fourth place | 4th | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 9 |
2003 | Third place | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 3 |
2007 | Third place | 3rd | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 25 | 6 |
2011 | Group stage | 6th | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 7 |
2015 | See Vanuatu national under-23 football team | |||||||
2019 | Group stage | 5th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 2 |
2023 | Semi-finals | 4th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 6 |
Total | 15/15 | 0 Titles | 64 | 28 | 10 | 26 | 189 | 117 |
Melanesia Cup edit
|
Wantok Cup edit
|
Up to matches played on 21 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 |
Cook Islands | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 100.00 |
Estonia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0.00 |
Fiji | 35 | 8 | 7 | 20 | 37 | 80 | −43 | 22.86 |
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 | 22 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 33 | 28 | +5 | 40.91 |
Palau | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 100.00 |
Samoa[a] | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 1 | +35 | 100.00 |
Solomon Islands | 34 | 6 | 7 | 21 | 37 | 76 | −39 | 17.65 |
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 | 205 | 64 | 29 | 112 | 378 | 440 | −62 | 31.22 |