Vanuatu national football team
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.[4][5]
![]() | |||
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 | 172 ![]() | ||
Highest | 131 (October 2007) | ||
Lowest | 201 (October–November 2015) | ||
First international | |||
![]() ![]() (Nouméa, New Caledonia; 4 October 1951)[3] | |||
Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() (Lautoka, Fiji; 7 July 2003) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() (Nouméa, New Caledonia; 4 October 1951) | |||
OFC Nations Cup | |||
Appearances | 9 (first in 1973) | ||
Best result | Fourth place (1973, 2000, 2002, 2008) |
History
Early years (1951–2022)
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)
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.
Team image
Results and fixtures
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
9 June Intercontinental Cup | Lebanon ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() | Bhubaneswar, India |
16:30 UTC+5:30 |
|
Report | Wohale ![]() |
Stadium: Kalinga Stadium Referee: Harish Kundu (India) |
12 June Intercontinental Cup | Vanuatu ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Bhubaneswar, India |
19:30 UTC+5:30 | Report |
|
Stadium: Kalinga Stadium Referee: Virendha Rai (Bhutan) |
15 June Intercontinental Cup | Vanuatu ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Bhubaneswar, India |
14:30 UTC+5:30 | Gantuyaa ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Kalinga Stadium Referee: Songkran Bunmeekiart (Thailand) |
8 October 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup | New Caledonia ![]() | 4–0 | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | Koné, New Caledonia |
13:00 UTC+11:00 | Stadium: Stade Yoshida |
14 October 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup | Papua New Guinea ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Nouméa, New Caledonia |
14:00 UTC+11:00 | Stadium: Stade Numa-Daly Magenta |
20 November 2023 Pacific Games | Tuvalu ![]() | 0–6 | ![]() | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
12:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium Referee: Shama Maemae (Solomon Islands) |
23 November 2023 Pacific Games | Vanuatu ![]() | 1−1 | ![]() | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
12:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti) |
28 November 2023 Pacific Games | New Caledonia ![]() | 1−0 | ![]() | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
12:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium Referee: CK Kawana-Vaugh (New Zealand) |
1 December 2023 Pacific Games | Vanuatu ![]() | 2−4 | ![]() | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
15:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium Referee: Ben Aukwai (Solomon Islands) |
2024
21 March 2024 FIFA Series | Guinea ![]() | 6−0 | ![]() | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
22:00 UTC+3 | Report | Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Referee: Ahmed Al Ali (Jordan) |
26 March 2024 FIFA Series | Vanuatu ![]() | 2–3 | ![]() | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
22:00 UTC+3 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Reserve Stadium |
15 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup | Solomon Islands ![]() | v | ![]() | Port Vila, Vanuatu |
Stadium: Freshwater Stadium |
18 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup | Vanuatu ![]() | v | ![]() | Port Vila, Vanuatu |
Stadium: Freshwater Stadium |
21 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup | Vanuatu ![]() | v | ![]() | Port Vila, Vanuatu |
Stadium: Freshwater Stadium |
Coaching staff
Position | |
---|---|
Head coach | ![]() |
Assistant coach | ![]() |
Assistant coach | ![]() |
Team Manager | ![]() |
Goalkeeper coach | ![]() |
Assistant Goalkeeper coach | ![]() |
Physio | ![]() |
Coaching history
New Hebrides
- P. Reichert (1973–1987)
Vanuatu
Terry O'Donnell (1987–1993)
Saby Natonga (1996)
Alwyn Job (1998)
Juan Carlos Buzzetti (2000–2004)
Joe Szekeres (2004–2007)
Robert Calvo (2007–2008)
Willian Malas (2008)
Jorge Añón (2009)
Saby Natonga (2011–2012)
Percy Avock (2012–2015)
Moise Poida (2015–2017)
Etienne Mermer (2017–2018)
Paul Munster (2019)
Etienne Mermer (2019–2022)
George Amos (2022)
Juan Carlos Buzzetti (2022)
Emerson Alcântara (2022)
Etienne Mermer (2022–2023)
Emerson Alcântara (2023–present)
Players
Current squad
The following players were called up for the 2024 FIFA Series matches against Guinea and Brunei on 21 and 26 March 2024.[7]
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 | ![]() | |
22 | GK | James Iamar | January 25, 1997 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
GK | Dgen Leo | August 6, 2000 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
4 | DF | Michel Coulon | 3 December 1995 | 15 | 1 | ![]() |
5 | DF | Timothy Boulet | November 29, 1998 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
15 | DF | Lency Philip | 8 June 1997 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
DF | Samuel Kaloros | 16 September 1989 | 3 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Jared Clark | 21 January 1998 | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Kerry Iawak | 16 March 1996 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Joseph Kalotiti | 0 | 0 | |||
8 | MF | John Alick | 25 April 1991 | 16 | 0 | ![]() |
MF | Jayson Timatua | 27 December 1998 | 3 | 0 | ![]() | |
6 | MF | Claude Aru | 25 April 1997 | 7 | 1 | ![]() |
12 | MF | John Wohale | 9 July 1997 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
14 | MF | Joe Moses | 22 May 2002 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
MF | Bong Kalo | 18 January 1997 | 19 | 2 | ![]() | |
15 | MF | Barry Mansale | 1 November 1995 | 10 | 1 | ![]() |
MF | Jonathan Spokeyjack | 13 November 1998 | 9 | 1 | ![]() | |
MF | Alick Worworbu | 27 August 1997 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Kensi Tangis | 19 December 1991 | 26 | 4 | ![]() | |
17 | FW | Godine Tenene | 3 May 1998 | 8 | 0 | ![]() |
FW | Maliwan Thomas | 26 January 2005 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Keshly Joseph | 0 | 0 |
Recent call-ups
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Anthony Taiwia | 4 September 1994 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 Pacific Games |
GK | Massing Kalotang | August 26, 2002 | 8 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup |
GK | Serge Daniel | 16 February 1991 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Tasso Jeffrey | 12 August 1998 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 Pacific Games |
DF | Bethuel Ollie | 19 August 1997 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 Pacific Games |
DF | Zidane Maguekon | June 3, 2000 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
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 | ![]() |
2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup |
DF | Brian Kaltak | 30 September 1993 | 22 | 5 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Jason Thomas | 20 January 1997 | 21 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Selwyn Vatu | 13 June 1998 | 14 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | James Chilia | 23 March 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Raoul Coulon | 3 December 1995 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 Pacific Games |
MF | Jean Taussi | 17 July 1996 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 Pacific Games |
MF | Lee Taiwia | 23 December 1995 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 Pacific Games |
MF | Elkington Molivakarua | March 3, 1993 | 11 | 3 | ![]() |
2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup |
MF | Dominique Fred | October 21, 1992 | 7 | 1 | ![]() |
2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup |
MF | Tyson Gere | July 11, 2000 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup |
FW | Azariah Soromon | 1 March 1999 | 17 | 7 | ![]() |
2023 Pacific Games |
FW | Alex Saniel | 8 November 1996 | 13 | 1 | ![]() |
2023 Pacific Games |
FW | Tonly Kalotang | 19 May 1997 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 Pacific Games |
FW | Jordy Tasip | 14 July 2000 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 Pacific Games |
FW | Reginold Ravo | August 25, 1997 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup |
FW | Rexly Butakol | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup | |
FW | Jacky Numake | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup | |
MF | Dondy Kileiter | 11 September 1994 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
Player records
- As of 21 March 2024[8]
- Players in bold are still active with Vanuatu.
Most capped players
|
Top goalscorers
|
Competitive record
FIFA World Cup
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 | ![]() |
Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
1994 | ![]() |
Did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 18 | ||||||||
1998 | ![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||||||
2002 | ![]() ![]() |
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 21 | |||||||||
2006 | ![]() |
9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 21 | 11 | |||||||||
2010 | ![]() |
12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 30 | 19 | |||||||||
2014 | ![]() |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 9 | |||||||||
2018 | ![]() |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 8 | |||||||||
2022 | ![]() |
Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||
2026 | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||
2030 | ![]() ![]() ![]() | |||||||||||||||
2034 | ![]() | |||||||||||||||
Total | 0/9 | 37 | 12 | 3 | 22 | 76 | 89 |
OFC Nations Cup
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 ![]() |
as ![]() | |||||||||||||||
![]() |
Fourth place | 4th | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 10 | Squad | No qualification | ||||||
![]() |
Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 | — | |||||||
as ![]() |
as ![]() | |||||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 12 | |||||||||
![]() |
Group stage | 5th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 13 | Squad | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6 | |
![]() |
Fourth place | 4th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 8 | Squad | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 7 | |
![]() |
4th | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | Squad | Qualified automatically | |||||||
![]() |
Group stage | 6th | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 9 | Squad | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 2 | |
![]() |
Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 13 | Squad | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 25 | 6 | |
![]() |
Group stage | 5th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 9 | Squad | Qualified automatically | ||||||
![]() |
7th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 8 | Squad | ||||||||
![]() |
Qualified | Qualified as host | ||||||||||||||
Total | Fourth place | 10/11 | 36 | 8 | 2 | 25 | 41 | 85 | — | 22 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 66 | 33 |
Pacific Games
Pacific Games record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
as ![]() | ||||||||
![]() |
Group stage | 6th | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
![]() |
Third place | 3rd | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 14 |
![]() |
Group stage | 5th | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 13 |
![]() |
Runners-up | 2nd | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 12 |
![]() |
Group stage | 5th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
![]() |
Fifth place | 5th | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 6 |
as ![]() | ||||||||
![]() |
Group stage | 6th | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
![]() |
Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 13 |
![]() |
Fourth place | 4th | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 8 |
![]() |
Fourth place | 4th | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 9 |
![]() |
Third place | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 3 |
![]() |
Third place | 3rd | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 25 | 6 |
![]() |
Group stage | 6th | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 7 |
![]() |
See Vanuatu national under-23 football team | |||||||
![]() |
Group stage | 5th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 2 |
![]() |
Semi-finals | 4th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 6 |
Total | 15/15 | 0 Titles | 64 | 28 | 10 | 26 | 189 | 117 |
Melanesia Cup
|
Wantok Cup
|
Head-to-head record
Up to matches played on 26 March 2024.
Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | WPCT |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 1 | +38 | 100.00 |
![]() |
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7 | −7 | 0.00 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 0.00 |
![]() |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 100.00 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0.00 |
![]() |
36 | 10 | 7 | 19 | 39 | 82 | −43 | 27.78 |
![]() |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | +14 | 100.00 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | −6 | 0.00 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0.00 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | −6 | 0.00 |
![]() |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | +18 | 100.00 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 0.00 |
![]() |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100.00 |
![]() |
40 | 8 | 7 | 25 | 45 | 101 | −56 | 20.00 |
![]() |
12 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 10 | 58 | −48 | 8.33 |
![]() |
23 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 33 | 29 | +4 | 39.13 |
![]() |
5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 1 | +35 | 100.00 |
![]() |
35 | 6 | 7 | 22 | 37 | 78 | −41 | 17.14 |
![]() |
26 | 5 | 3 | 18 | 28 | 64 | −36 | 19.23 |
![]() |
5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 2 | +31 | 100.00 |
![]() |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 | +21 | 100.00 |
![]() |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | +9 | 100.00 |
Total | 208 | 65 | 29 | 114 | 376 | 446 | −70 | 31.25 |
Notes:
- Includes results as Western Samoa.
Historical kits
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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
|
See also
- Vanuatu national under-15 football team
- Vanuatu national under-17 football team
- Vanuatu national under-20 football team
- Vanuatu national under-23 football team
- Vanuatu women's national football team
- Vanuatu women's national under-20 football team
References
- 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.
- "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- "Vanuatu (New Hebrides) – List of International matches". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- "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.
- 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.
- "Antigo(a) Vanuatu camisas de futebol". Archived from the original on 14 June 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- "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.
- "Vanuatu". National Football Teams.
- "ANOTANDO FÚTBOL - VANUATU".
- "2007".
- "2011".
- "2012".
- "2017".
- "2019".
- "2024".