Macau national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Macau

Nickname(s)	Selecção do Lótus (The Lotus' Team) Verdes (The Greens)
Association	Associação de Futebol de Macau
Confederation	AFC (Asia)
Sub-confederation	EAFF (East Asia)
Head coach	Kwok Kar Lok
Captain	Chan Man
Most caps	Cheang Cheng Ieong (58)
Top scorer	Chan Kin Seng (17)
Home stadium	Estádio Campo Desportivo
FIFA code	MAC
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	183 (7 February 2019)
Highest	156 (September 1997)
Lowest	204 (July 2014)
Elo ranking
Current	NR (3 March 2019)
Highest	182 (13 February 2000)
Lowest	229 (March 2015)
First international
Macau 4–2 Hong Kong  (Macau; 29 March 1948)
Biggest win
Macau 6–1 Northern Mariana Islands  (Yona, Guam; 11 March 2009)
Biggest defeat
Macau 0–10 Japan  (Muscat, Oman; 25 March 1997)  Japan 10–0 Macau  (Tokyo, Japan; 22 June 1997)
AFC Solidarity Cup
Appearances	1 (first in 2016)
Best result	Runners-up, (2016)
AFC Challenge Cup
Appearances	1 (first in 2006)
Best result	Group stage, (2006)

The Macau national football team (Chinese: 澳門足球代表隊; Portuguese: Selecção Macaense de Futebol) represents the Chinese special administrative region of Macau in international association football. The team is supervised by the Macau Football Association (Chinese: 澳門足球總會; Portuguese: Associação de Futebol de Macau). The Macau football team has a ranking that is one of the lowest among the FIFA members. Although usually known as simply Macau, the EAFF refers to the team as Macau, China.

The national team has never qualified for the AFC Asian Cup or EAFF East Asian Championship. The team qualified for the 2006 AFC Challenge Cup, where they got one draw and two losses.

The team had been representing Macau in international football events before 1999 when Macau was a dependent territory of Portugal. It continues to represent Macau even after Macau was handed over to the People's Republic of China by Portugal and became a special administrative region of China in 1999. This team is separate from the China national football team, as the Basic Law and the principle of "one country, two systems" allows Macau to maintain its own representative teams in international sports competitions. In Macau, the Macau football team is colloquially referred to as the "Macau team" (澳門隊), while the Chinese national team is referred to as the "national team" (國家隊).

History

Macau participated in the inaugural 2006 AFC Challenge Cup held in Bangladesh being grouped with Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Pakistan but lost all of their match against their opponent.

Macau then participated in the inaugural 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup held in Kuching, Malaysia being grouped with Laos, Mongolia and Sri Lanka. In the first match, Macau won Mongolia 2–1 with captain, Niki Torrão scoring a brace. The following match, Macau won Laos 4–1 before eventually drawing to Sri Lanka 1–1 which see Macau advanced to the semi-finals as group leaders. Macau faced Brunei which Leong Ka Hang rescued Macau from a one goal deficit to level the match at 1–1 seeing both sides off to extra time however the match goes on to penalties shoot out with Macau advancing to their first even international cup final. On 15 November 2016, Macau faced Nepal however in the 29' minute of the match, Nepalese Sujal Shrestha break the deadlock and Nepal ended up winning the 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup at the Sarawak Stadium. Leong Ka Hang is given the tournament 'Most Valuable Player' and Niki Torrão as the top joint goal scorer with 4 goals.

During the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification against Sri Lanka in which they won the first tie 1–0, they forfeited the second tie which awarded Sri Lanka was awarded as a 3–0 victory to Sri Lanka after Macau did not send their team for the match due to safety reasons following the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings. After a 4 years hiatus from the COVID-19 pandemic, On 26 March 2023, Macau play their first ever international matches at their own ground,Estádio Campo Desportivo against Singapore in a 1–0 defeat. On 19 June 2023, Macau travelled to Dalian, China to face Myanmar in a friendly match. Since their returned to international football, Macau mostly played against Southeast Asian country like Cambodia and Brunei.

Macau starting line-up during the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification play off round against Brunei.

In August 2024, all non-Chinese nationals listed to play for the Macau Football Association became ineligible for the team under FIFA Congress's adoption to a rule amendment made in 18 September 2020. The players affected include Vitor Almeida, Iuri Capelo, captain Nicholas Torrão, and Filipe Duarte, as well as a fifth player who was about to join up.

In September 2024, Macau signed a deal with Adidas in preparation for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification – play-off round ending their 10-years partnership with Nike. It will also see the team back in Adidas since 2004.

Rivalries

Hong Kong

The Hong Kong–Macau rivalry has been contested by Hong Kong Football Association and Macau Football Association since 1937.

FIFA suspension

In 2005, Macau was temporarily barred by FIFA from entering any international matches because of alleged undue influence of the government in forming the committee of its football association. The suspension was lifted after rectification by Macau.

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

2024

Unofficial friendly 20 March	Macau	0–0	Southern District	Macau Peninsula
19:30 UTC+8		https://www.tdm.com.mo/en/news-detail/944257		Stadium: Lin Fong Sports Field

Unofficial friendly 9 June	Taichung Futuro	2–0	Macau	Kaohsiung
15:30 UTC+8	Cheng Hao  23' Sakurauchi  69' (pen.)	https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0taJsXzPETRonGonbsm8LXpQMB5rjPdZQNqD1EBTiuGp3doF25xpSKt5RkhxPyAoTl&id=100064889040061		Stadium: Nanzih Football Stadium

Unofficial friendly 25 August	Macau	v	Rangers	Macau
		https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0nZygrkyrLvgT3vQHRshoPK2sVG7GT9J3WmHqNFWgE6NtkXusukFrFPHHPbC9TdYel&id=100064889040061

Asian Cup qualification – play-off round 6 September	Brunei	3–0	Macau	Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
21:00 UTC+8	Hakeme S.  32' Nazry A.  56' Hariz H.  61'			Stadium: Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium Attendance: 3,794 Referee: Crystal John (India)

Asian Cup qualification – play-off round 10 September	Macau	0–1	Brunei	Taipa, Macau
19:30 UTC+8			Azwan A. R.  10'	Stadium: Estádio Campo Desportivo Attendance: 1,368 Referee: Nurzatbek Abdıkadırov (Kyrgyzstan)

2025 EAFF E-1 preliminary 11 December	Macau	v	Guam	Kowloon, Hong Kong
14:00 UTC+8				Stadium: Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground

2025 EAFF E-1 preliminary 14 December	North Korea	v	Macau	Mong Kok, Hong Kong
14:00 UTC+8				Stadium: Mong Kok Stadium

Coaching staff

Position	Name
Team Manager	Zhang Liqun
Head coach	Kwok Kar Lok
Assistant coaches	Pedro Simões Lai Yong Luo Wei Xing Cai Cheng Zhang
Doctor	Liu Zhi Liang
Staff	Lok Chong-keong

Coaching history

Players

Current squad

The following players are selected for the matches against Brunei on 6 and 10 September 2024.

Caps and goals correct as of 10 September 2023, after the match against Brunei.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Ho Man Fai	(1993-04-24) 24 April 1993 (age 31)	45	0	Chao Pak Kei
20	1GK	Lo Weng Hou	(1996-01-31) 31 January 1996 (age 29)	3	0	Cheng Fung
22	1GK	Fong Chi Hang	(1989-10-26) 26 October 1989 (age 35)	2	0	Cheng Fung
7	2DF	Chan Man (Captain)	(1993-10-04) 4 October 1993 (age 31)	32	2	Benfica de Macau
4	2DF	Kam Chi Hou	(1995-04-04) 4 April 1995 (age 29)	17	0	Benfica de Macau
6	2DF	Ng Wa Seng	(1999-08-02) 2 August 1999 (age 25)	14	0	Central and Western
3	2DF	Amâncio	(1990-03-29) 29 March 1990 (age 34)	8	0	Benfica de Macau
2	2DF	Ip Ieong	(1999-04-03) 3 April 1999 (age 25)	3	0	Universidade de Macau
2	2DF	Marcos Cheong	(2002-08-25) 25 August 2002 (age 22)	1	0	Benfica de Macau
18	2DF	Chu Kai Wang	(1995-07-29) 29 July 1995 (age 29)	1	0	Benfica de Macau
5	2DF	Leong Chon Kit	(2005-08-16) 16 August 2005 (age 19)	1	0	Monte Carlo
8	3MF	Ng Wa Keng	(1999-08-02) 2 August 1999 (age 25)	11	0	Chao Pak Kei
19	3MF	Nuno Jerónimo	(1997-11-02) 2 November 1997 (age 27)	6	0	Imortal Desportivo Clube
10	3MF	Choi Dion Carlos	(1999-02-06) 6 February 1999 (age 26)	4	0	Chao Pak Kei
16	3MF	Ao Chi Kin	(1994-02-12) 12 February 1994 (age 31)	1	0	Cheng Fung
11	3MF	Ieong Lek Hang	(2003-11-11) 11 November 2003 (age 21)	1	0	Benfica de Macau
23	3MF	Lei Man Tek	(2006-03-08) 8 March 2006 (age 18)	1	0	Benfica de Macau
9	3MF	Si Hou In	(2004-10-21) 21 October 2004 (age 20)	1	0	Cheng Fung
15	3MF	Cheong Ka Chon	(1995-10-14) 14 October 1995 (age 29)	0	0	Cheng Fung
21	4FW	Pang Chi Hang	(1993-11-03) 3 November 1993 (age 31)	34	1	Chao Pak Kei
12	4FW	Lee Keng Pan	(1990-02-28) 28 February 1990 (age 34)	13	0	Benfica de Macau
13	4FW	Ho Ka Seng	(1993-10-21) 21 October 1993 (age 31)	8	0	Gala
14	4FW	Leung Chi Seng	(2000-06-03) 3 June 2000 (age 24)	8	0	Chao Pak Kei
17	4FW	Lei Cheng Lam	(2005-01-24) 24 January 2005 (age 20)	5	0	Chao Pak Kei

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Macau squad within the previous 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Sou Leng Fong	(2001-07-22) 22 July 2001 (age 23)	0	0	Chao Pak Kei	v.  Myanmar, 17 October 2023
DF	Filipe Duarte	(1985-03-30) 30 March 1985 (age 39)	13	3	Chao Pak Kei	v.  Myanmar, 17 October 2023RET
DF	Vítor Almeida	(1991-02-05) 5 February 1991 (age 34)	4	0	Chao Pak Kei	v.  Myanmar, 17 October 2023
MF	Cheong Hoi San	(1998-06-28) 28 June 1998 (age 26)	19	0	Monte Carlo	v.  Myanmar, 17 October 2023
FW	Niki Torrão (Captain)	(1987-11-18) 18 November 1987 (age 37)	21	9	Chao Pak Kei	v.  Myanmar, 17 October 2023
FW	Lam Ka Seng	(1994-05-28) 28 May 1994 (age 30)	30	6	Chao Pak Kei	v.  Myanmar, 17 October 2023
FW	Leong Hou In	(1997-06-15) 15 June 1997 (age 27)	3	0	Benfica de Macau	v.  Myanmar, 17 October 2023
FW	Wong Chi Son	(1994-02-03) 3 February 1994 (age 31)	2	0	Monte Carlo	v.  Myanmar, 17 October 2023
FW	Sam Cheng Fai	(1991-06-22) 22 June 1991 (age 33)	1	0	Monte Carlo	v.  Myanmar, 17 October 2023
RET Player retired from international football

Records

Players in bold are still active with Macau.

Most appearances

Top goalscorers

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup										Qualification
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	F	A		Pld	W	D	L	F	A
1930 to 1978	Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1982	Did not qualify									3	0	0	3	0	9
1986										6	2	0	4	4	15
1990	Did not enter									Did not enter
1994	Did not qualify									6	0	0	6	1	46
1998										6	1	1	4	3	28
2002										6	0	0	6	2	31
2006										2	0	0	2	1	6
2010										2	0	0	2	2	13
2014										2	0	0	2	1	13
2018										2	0	1	1	1	4
2022										2	1	0	1	1	3
2026										2	0	1	1	1	5
2030	To be determined									To be determined
2034
Total	–	0/12	–	–	–	–	–	–	39	4	3	32	17	173

AFC Asian Cup

AFC Asian Cup										AFC Asian Cup qualification
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1956	Did not enter									Did not enter
1960
1964
1968
1972
1976
1980	Did not qualify								3	1	0	2	4	7
1984	Did not enter								Did not enter
1988
1992	Did not qualify								3	1	1	1	4	4
1996									3	1	0	2	7	12
2000									3	1	0	2	1	4
2004									2	0	0	2	0	5
2007	Did not enter								Did not enter
2011	Did not qualify								AFC Challenge Cup
2015
2019									8	0	1	7	5	20
2023									2	1	0	1	1	3
2027									4	0	1	3	1	9
Total	–	0/19	–	–	–	–	–	–	28	5	3	20	23	64

East Asian Cup record

East Asian Football Championship Finals										Preliminary competition
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Place	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
East Asian Football Championship
2003	Did not qualify									3rd	4	2	0	2	5	5
2005	Did not enter									Did not enter
2008	Did not qualify									4th	2	0	1	1	1	7
2010										3rd	3	1	1	1	9	5
EAFF East Asian Cup
2013	Did not qualify									2nd	2	1	0	1	5	4
2015										2nd	3	1	1	1	4	4
EAFF E-1 Football Championship
2017	Did not qualify									3rd	3	1	1	1	7	6
2019										2nd	3	1	1	1	4	5
2022	Did not participate									Not held
2025	To be determined									To be determined
Total	–	0/9	–	–	–	–	–	–		–	20	7	5	8	34	36

AFC Challenge Cup record

AFC Challenge Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
2006	Group stage	15th	3	0	1	2	2	8		No qualification
2008	Did not qualify									2	0	0	2	3	6
2010										5	1	0	4	4	12
2012										2	1	0	1	4	5
2014										3	0	0	3	0	6
Total	Group stage	1/5	3	0	1	2	2	8		12	2	0	9	11	29

AFC Solidarity Cup record

AFC Solidarity Cup
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
2016	Runners-up	2nd	5	2	2	1	8	5
2020	Cancelled
Total	Runners-up	1/1	5	2	2	1	8	5

Head-to-head record

As of 10 September 2024 after match against  Brunei

Opponents	First	Last	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Confederation
Australia	1970	1970	1	0	0	1	0	9	−9	AFC
Bangladesh	2009	2009	1	0	0	1	0	3	−3	AFC
Bhutan	2023	2023	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1	AFC
Brunei	1985	2024	5	3	1	2	6	6	0	AFC
Cambodia	2008	2023	7	1	1	5	7	18	−11	AFC
China	1978	1999	6	0	0	6	3	26	−23	AFC
Chinese Taipei	1992	2016	11	1	1	9	12	36	−24	AFC
Guam	2003	2018	6	2	2	2	6	8	−2	AFC
Hong Kong	1982	2017	39	2	2	35	28	121	−93	AFC
India	2017	2017	2	0	0	2	1	6	−5	AFC
Iraq	2001	2001	2	0	0	2	0	13	−13	AFC
Japan	1980	2000	4	0	0	4	0	26	−26	AFC
Kazakhstan	2001	2001	2	0	0	2	0	8	−8	UEFA
North Korea	1980	2007	3	0	0	3	1	12	−11	AFC
South Korea	1949	1993	3	0	0	3	2	11	−9	AFC
Kuwait	1993	1993	2	0	0	2	1	18	−17	AFC
Kyrgyzstan	2013	2017	4	0	0	4	3	8	−5	AFC
Laos	2016	2017	2	2	0	0	7	2	+5	AFC
Malaysia	1993	2016	3	0	1	2	0	14	−14	AFC
Mauritius	2018	2018	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1	CAF
Mongolia	1993	2018	10	5	2	3	18	14	+4	AFC
Myanmar	2009	2023	8	0	1	7	4	26	−22	AFC
Nepal	1997	2016	6	1	1	4	7	16	−9	AFC
New Zealand	1975	1975	1	0	1	0	1	1	0	OFC
Northern Mariana Islands	2009	2018	5	3	1	1	16	6	+10	AFC
Oman	1997	1997	2	0	0	2	0	6	−6	AFC
Pakistan	2003	2013	3	0	1	2	2	7	−5	AFC
Panama	1975	1975	1	1	0	0	2	1	+1	CONCACAF
Philippines	1978	2012	5	2	0	3	7	14	−7	AFC
Saudi Arabia	1993	1993	2	0	0	2	0	14	−14	AFC
Singapore	2000	2023	4	0	1	3	2	6	−4	AFC
Solomon Islands	2018	2018	1	0	0	1	1	4	−3	OFC
Sri Lanka	2016	2019	3	1	1	1	2	4	−2	AFC
Tajikistan	2006	2013	2	0	0	2	0	7	−7	AFC
Thailand	2007	2007	3	0	0	3	2	15	−13	AFC
Vietnam	2011	2011	2	0	0	2	1	13	−12	AFC

Honours

Continental

• AFC Solidarity Cup
  • 2 Runners-up (1): 2016

Summary

Competition	1	2	3	Total
AFC Solidarity Cup	0	1	0	1
Total	0	1	0	1

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Macao para niños