Vanuatu national football team

Vanuatu
Association	Vanuatu Football Federation
Confederation	OFC (Oceania)
Head coach	Juliano Schmeling
Captain	Kensi Tangis
Most caps	Richard Iwai (34)
Top scorer	Richard Iwai (20)[1]
Home stadium	Port Vila Municipal Stadium
FIFA code	VAN
First colours	Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	170 2 (20 June 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, 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.[4][5]

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.

FIFA Series tournament

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

Kit sponsorship

Kit provider[6]	Period
Lotto	2004–2011
Nike	2012
Veto	2013–2016
Pasifika	2017
Gorilla Sports	2018–2020
KPI Sports	2020–2022
Macron	2022–2023
Lotto	2022–present

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

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	T. Kalotang 6', 53' Tenene 11', 70' Alefaio 35' (o.g.) Moses 71'	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	Soromon 52'	Report	Kepo 45+7'	Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)

28 November 2023 Pacific Games	New Caledonia	1–0	Vanuatu	Honiara, Solomon Islands
12:00	Xowi 45+4'	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	Soromon 28', 45+3'	Report	Dunn 22', 55' Begg 73' Nand 90+2'	Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium Referee: Ben Aukwai (Solomon Islands)

2024

21 March 2024 FIFA Series	Guinea	6–0	Vanuatu	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
22:00 UTC+3	Sylla 9' (pen.), 63' Diawara 10' O. Camara 18' Kané 39' (pen.), 58'	Report		Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Referee: Ahmed Al Ali (Jordan)

26 March 2024 FIFA Series	Vanuatu	2–3	Brunei	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
22:00 UTC+3	Kalo 38' Iawak 70'	Report	Syafiq Safiuddin 52' Nurikhwan 72' Hakeme 90+3'	Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Reserve Stadium

15 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup	Solomon Islands	0–1	Vanuatu	Port Vila, Vanuatu
15:00 UTC+11		Report	Tangis 72'	Stadium: Freshwater Stadium Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Veer Singh (Fiji)

18 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup	Vanuatu	Cancelled	New Caledonia	Port Vila, Vanuatu
15:00 UTC+11		Report		Stadium: Freshwater Stadium
Note: On 5 June 2024, New Caledonia withdrew from the 2024 OFC Nations Cup due to the serious crisis in the country.[7]

21 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup	Vanuatu	0–4	New Zealand	Port Vila, Vanuatu
15:00 UTC+11		Report	Mata 10', 27' Just 63' Old 78'	Stadium: Freshwater Stadium Attendance: 7,200 Referee: Veer Singh (Fiji)

26 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup SF	Fiji	v	Vanuatu	Port Vila, Vanuatu
		Report		Stadium: Freshwater Stadium

Coaching staff

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

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 (2023–2024)
Juliano Schmeling (2024–)

Players

Current squad

The following 23 players were called up for the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup in June 2024.[8]

Caps and goals are correct as of 26 March 2024, after the match against Brunei.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Dgen Leo	(2000-08-06) August 6, 2000	1	0	Classic
1GK	Dick Sablan	(1996-12-23) December 23, 1996	0	0	Ifira Black Bird
1GK	James Iamar	(1997-01-25) January 25, 1997	0	0	Tafea

2DF	Brian Kaltak	(1993-09-30) 30 September 1993	25	5	Central Coast Mariners
2DF	Jason Thomas	(1997-01-20) 20 January 1997	21	0	Erakor Golden Star
2DF	Michel Coulon	(1995-12-03) 3 December 1995	16	1	Yatel
2DF	Timothy Boulet	(1998-11-29) November 29, 1998	11	0	Auckland City
2DF	Lency Philip	(1997-06-08) 8 June 1997	10	0	Classic
2DF	Tasso Jeffrey	(1998-08-12) 12 August 1998	7	0	Western Strikers
2DF	Jared Clark	(1998-01-21) 21 January 1998	1	0	FK Beograd
2DF	Kerry Iawak	(1996-03-16) 16 March 1996	2	0	Ifira Black Bird

3MF	Bong Kalo	(1997-01-18) 18 January 1997	21	3	ABM Galaxy
3MF	John Alick	(1991-04-25) 25 April 1991	20	0	Solomon Warriors
3MF	Barry Mansale	(1995-11-01) 1 November 1995	11	1	Yatel
3MF	John Wohale	(1997-07-09) 9 July 1997	11	1	Ifira Black Bird
3MF	Claude Aru	(1997-04-25) 25 April 1997	10	1	North Efate United
3MF	Jayson Timatua	(1998-12-27) 27 December 1998	3	0	ABM Galaxy
3MF	Alick Worworbu	(1997-08-27) 27 August 1997	0	0	Yatel

4FW	Kensi Tangis	(1991-12-19) 19 December 1991	31	8	ABM Galaxy
4FW	Alex Saniel	(1996-11-08) 8 November 1996	18	1	Northern Demons
4FW	Jonathan Spokeyjack	(1998-11-13) 13 November 1998	11	1	Ifira Black Bird
4FW	Godine Tenene	(1998-05-03) 3 May 1998	10	2	Ifira Black Bird
4FW	Joe Moses	(2002-05-22) 22 May 2002	5	2	ABM Galaxy

Recent call-ups

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Joshua Willie	(2000-06-13) June 13, 2000	2	0	ABM Galaxy	2024 FIFA Series
GK	Anthony Taiwia	(1994-09-04) 4 September 1994	0	0	Ifira Black Bird	2023 Pacific Games
GK	Massing Kalotang	(2002-08-26) August 26, 2002	8	0	Yatel	2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup

DF	Samuel Kaloros	(1989-09-16) 16 September 1989	3	0	Ifira Black Bird	2024 FIFA Series
DF	Joseph Kalotiti		0	0	Pango Green Bird	2024 FIFA Series
DF	Bethuel Ollie	(1997-08-19) 19 August 1997	2	0	North Efate United	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Zidane Maguekon	(2000-06-03) 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	(1998-08-17) August 17, 1998	0	0	Police FC	2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup

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

FW	Maliwan Thomas	(2005-01-26) 26 January 2005	0	0	Tafea	2024 FIFA Series
FW	Keshly Joseph		0	0		2024 FIFA Series
FW	Azariah Soromon	(1999-03-01) 1 March 1999	17	7	Western Strikers	2023 Pacific Games
FW	Tonly Kalotang	(1997-05-19) 19 May 1997	2	0	Ifira Black Bird	2023 Pacific Games
FW	Jordy Tasip	(2000-07-14) 14 July 2000	0	0	Auckland City	2023 Pacific Games
FW	Reginold Ravo	(1997-08-25) 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

Player records

As of 21 June 2024[9]

Players in bold are still active with Vanuatu.

Most appearances

Rank	Name	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Richard Iwai	34	20	2000–2011
2	Etienne Mermer	33	15	1998–2008
2	Kensi Tangis	33	9	2011–present
4	Fedy Vava	30	2	2000–2012
5	Lexa Bibi	29	2	2000–2004
5	Seimata Chilia	29	9	2000–2011
7	Pita David Maki	28	2	2000–2008
8	Brian Kaltak	27	5	2011–present
9	David Chilia	26	0	1998–2007
10	Graham Demas	25	1	2000–2004
10	Simon Lauru	25	5	2000–2004

Top goalscorers

Rank	Name	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Richard Iwai	20	34	0.59	2000–2011
2	Tony Kaltack	15	16	0.94	2016–2019
2	Etienne Mermer	15	33	0.45	1998–2008
4	Seule Soromon	10	10	1	2007–2011
4	Azariah Soromon	10	24	0.42	2017–present
6	Jean Kaltack	9	8	1.13	2011–2012
	Seimata Chilia	9	29	0.31	2000–2011
	Kensi Tangis	9	33	0.27	2011–present
9	Bill Nicholls	6	8	0.75	2015–2019
	François Sakama	6	12	0.5	2007–2015
	Robert Tasso	6	12	0.5	2011–2016

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	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

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
1973	Fourth place	4th	5	1	1	3	5	10	Squad	No qualification
1980	Group stage	7th	3	0	0	3	6	9	—	No qualification
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	Fourth place	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	Group stage	7th	3	1	0	2	3	8	Squad	Qualified automatically
2024	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 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

Melanesia Cup record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1988	Third place	3rd	4	1	0	3	2	19
1989	Fifth place	5th	4	0	0	4	2	12
1990	Champions	1st	4	2	2	0	4	2
1992	Fourth place	4th	3	0	0	3	1	6
1994	Fifth place	5th	4	0	1	3	5	12
1998	Runners-up	2nd	4	2	1	1	8	6
2000	Third place	3rd	4	2	0	2	12	7
MSG Prime Minister's Cup
2022	Group stage	5th	2	0	1	1	2	3
2023	Third place	3rd	3	1	0	2	1	5
Total	9/9	1 Title	32	8	5	19	37	72

Wantok Cup

Wantok Cup record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
2008	Runners-up	2nd	2	1	0	1	3	3
2011	Runners-up	2nd	2	0	1	1	1	2
2011	Champions	1st	2	1	1	0	2	0
Total	3/3	1 Title	6	2	2	2	6	5

Head-to-head record

Up to matches played on 15 June 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[lower-alpha 1]	5	5	0	0	36	1	+35	100.00
Solomon Islands	36	7	7	22	38	78	−40	19.44
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	209	66	29	114	377	446	−69	31.58

Source: 1951–July 1980 results and July 1980–present results.
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

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

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. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 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.
"La Fédération se résout à la "NON-PARTICIPATION" des cagous". New Caledonian Football Federation. 5 June 2024.
"Vanuatu 23 Senior Mens Roster for OFC Nations Cup 2024". Twitter. Vanuatu Football Federation. 4 June 2024.
"Vanuatu". National Football Teams.
"ANOTANDO FÚTBOL - VANUATU".
"2007".
"2011".
"2012".
"2017".
"2019".
"2024".

Notes

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[table_note_SAM0.66681671453026-10] Includes results as Western Samoa.

[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.

[FIFA_World_Rankings-2] "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.

[rsssf1-3] "Vanuatu (New Hebrides) – List of International matches". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2015.

[4] "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.

[5] 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.

[6] "Antigo(a) Vanuatu camisas de futebol". Archived from the original on 14 June 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2020.

[Withdrawal-7] "La Fédération se résout à la "NON-PARTICIPATION" des cagous". New Caledonian Football Federation. 5 June 2024.

[8] "Vanuatu 23 Senior Mens Roster for OFC Nations Cup 2024". Twitter. Vanuatu Football Federation. 4 June 2024.

[9] "Vanuatu". National Football Teams.

[11] "ANOTANDO FÚTBOL - VANUATU".

[12] "2007".

[13] "2011".

[14] "2012".

[15] "2017".

[16] "2019".

[17] "2024".

National football teams of Oceania (OFC)
OFC Nations Cup
Active	American Samoa Cook Islands FS Micronesia² Fiji Kiribati¹ New Caledonia New Zealand Niue² Palau² Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Tahiti Tonga Tuvalu¹ Vanuatu
Former	Australia (moved to AFC in 2006) Northern Mariana Islands³ (moved to AFC in 2009) Chinese Taipei (Taiwan)⁴ (returned to AFC in 1989)
¹ Associate member of OFC - Not a member of FIFA ² Not a member of OFC and consequently not a member of FIFA ³ Northern Mariana Islands was only an associate member of OFC between 1998 and 2009 - Not a member of FIFA ⁴ Although not geographically in Oceania, Chinese Taipei was a member of the OFC between 1976–1978 and 1982–1989 Although not geographically in Oceania Israel entered OFC World Cup qualification in 1986 and 1990 due to political reasons, though it never became a formal OFC member.