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Papua New Guinea national soccer team facts for kids

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This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Papua New Guinea women's national soccer team.
Quick facts for kids
Papua New Guinea
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Kapuls (Cuscus)
Association Papua New Guinea Football Association
Confederation OFC (Oceania)
Head coach Warren Moon
Captain David Muta
Most caps Emmanuel Simon (36)
Top scorer Raymond Gunemba, Reggie Davani (13)
Home stadium Hubert Murray Stadium
FIFA code PNG
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 168 Steady (7 February 2019)
Highest 153 (June 2017)
Lowest 206 (October–November 2015)
Elo ranking
Current 178 Steady (3 March 2019)
Highest 134 (1989)
Lowest 188 (2003)
First international
 Fiji 3–1 Papua and New Guinea
(Suva, Fiji; 29 August 1963)
Biggest win
 Papua New Guinea 20–0 American Samoa 
(Nouméa, New Caledonia; 15 December 1987)
Biggest defeat
 Malaysia 10–0 Papua New Guinea 
(Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia; 20 June 2023)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances 4 (first in 1980)
Best result Runners-up, 2016
Papua New Guinea national soccer team
Medal record
Pacific Games
Bronze 1969 Port Moresby Team
Bronze 1987 Nouméa Team
Bronze 2015 Port Moresby Team

The Papua New Guinea national soccer team is the men's national soccer team of Papua New Guinea and is controlled by the Papua New Guinea Football Association. Its nickname is the Kapuls, which is Tok Pisin for Cuscus.

Papua New Guinea's highest ever FIFA ranking was 153, in June 2017. As of June 2019, the country was ranked 171 out of 211 countries. This was a drop of 2 places from May 2019. Papua New Guinea had previously left the FIFA rankings, having not competed in a match between July 2007 and August 2011. Their matches at the 2015 Pacific Games saw them return to the rankings, and they competed in the 2016 OFC Nations Cup in June 2016; they reached the final, but lost to New Zealand 4–2 on penalties after the score was tied at 0–0 after extra time.

History

1963–1978

The Papuan national team played its first match at the 1963 South Pacific Games, where it fell to Fiji 3-1 and was eliminated. At the 1966 South Pacific Games they reached the third place match but lost to the New Hebrides. Three years later they reached the same stage, and defeated the Fijian team 2-1 to win the bronze medal.

At 1971 South Pacific Games, after losing in the semi-finals to New Caledonia, they were beaten 8-1 by Tahiti in the third place game. Four years later, at the 1975 Games, they were beaten in the group stage by Tahiti and New Caledonia and thus eliminated in the first round.

1979–1995

At the 1979 South Pacific Games they lost in the quarter-finals 3–2 against the Solomon Islands, and in the first phase of the consolation tournament they were beaten 2–0 at the hands of the New Hebrides. The following year they played in the 1980 Oceania Cup, the precursor to the OFC Nations Cup, where despite beating the New Hebrides team, their losses to Australia and New Caledonia left them out at the first phase.

At 1983 South Pacific Games they lost the match for third place against the New Caledonian team. In the 1987 edition they won the bronze medal again by beating Vanuatu 3-1. Even so, in the two subsequent editions, 1991 and 1995, they were eliminated in the first phase.

1996–2012

After an absence in three editions of the OFC Nations Cup, due to the poor results obtained in the Melanesia Cup, they qualified for the 2002 tournament. They were only able to salvage a point in a 0-0 draw against the Solomon Islands and bowed out in the first round. In 2003 South Pacific Games they had a poor performance and in five games only obtaining four points.

After not participating in 2007, which served as qualification for the 2008 OFC Nations Cup, they were eliminated in the first phase at 2011 Pacific Games by having worse goal difference than Tahiti, with whom they tied on points. In the 2012 OFC Nations Cup they drew with Fiji and lost to the Solomon Islands and New Zealand, again being eliminated in the group stage.

2013–present

In 2015, Papua New Guinea was designated to host the 2016 OFC Nations Cup. In the group stage, the Papuan team drew 1–1 with New Caledonia, 2–2 against Tahiti and beat Samoa 8–0. After achieving victory in the semi-finals, 2–1 against the Solomon Islands, they lost on penalties to New Zealand in the final after drawing 0–0 in regulation time. On 20 June 2023, Papua New Guinea suffered their worst defeat in their history losing to Malaysia 10–0 at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium.

FIFA Series tournament

In 2024, Papua New Guinea played their first ever tournament outside Oceania where FIFA invited them to the 2024 FIFA Series matches on from 22 to 25 March 2024 held in Colombo where they would face Sri Lanka and Central African Republic.

Kit sponsorship

Kit supplier Period
Spain Joma 1998–2000
Germany Puma 2007–2010
United States Nike 2011–2012
Italy Lotto 2013–2015
Germany Adidas 2017–2023
Australia Veto 2024–

Results and fixtures

Main article: Papua New Guinea national soccer team results

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

2024

Coaching history

  • Papua New Guinea Richard Tamari Nagai (1996–1998)
  • Papua New Guinea John Davani (2002)
  • New Zealand Steve Cain (2002)
  • Papua New Guinea Ludwig Peka (2003–2004)
  • Brazil Marcos Gusmão (2004–2011)
  • Australia Frank Farina (2011–2013)
  • United States Mike Keeney (2013)
  • New Zealand Wynton Rufer (2014–2015)
  • Denmark Flemming Serritslev (2015–2018)
  • Papua New Guinea Bob Morris (2019–2021)
  • Brazil Marcos Gusmão (2021–2022)
  • Argentina Santiago Marina (2022–2023)
  • Australia Warren Moon (2023–present)

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2023 Pacific Games.

Caps and goals correct as of 27 March 2022, after the match against  Solomon Islands.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Dave Tomare (1997-04-26) 26 April 1997 (age 27) 0 0 Papua New Guinea Hekari United
20 1GK Ronald Warisan (1989-09-20) 20 September 1989 (age 35) 22 0 Papua New Guinea Lae City
21 1GK Vagi Koniel (1996-10-26) 26 October 1996 (age 28) 0 0 Papua New Guinea Lae City
2 2DF Daniel Joe (1990-05-29) 29 May 1990 (age 34) 21 0 Papua New Guinea Hekari United
3 2DF Godfrey Haro (1998-06-30) 30 June 1998 (age 26) 0 0 Papua New Guinea Southern Strikers
4 2DF Abel Redenut (1995-04-17) 17 April 1995 (age 29) 0 0 Papua New Guinea Hekari United
15 2DF Joseph Waiwai (2001-03-07) 7 March 2001 (age 23) 0 0 Papua New Guinea Port Moresby Strikers
17 2DF Nathaniel Eddie 0 0 Papua New Guinea Hekari United
23 2DF Thomas Yagum (1995-05-21) 21 May 1995 (age 29) 0 0 Papua New Guinea Lae City
8 3MF Rex Naime (2003-10-23) 23 October 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Papua New Guinea Hekari United
9 3MF Nigel Dabinyaba (1992-10-26) 26 October 1992 (age 32) 19 11 Papua New Guinea Hekari United
11 3MF Yagi Yasasa (2000-08-17) 17 August 2000 (age 24) 3 0 Papua New Guinea Hekari United
12 3MF Oberth Simon (2001-01-01) 1 January 2001 (age 23) 0 0 Papua New Guinea Hekari United
14 3MF Emmanuel Simon (1992-12-25) 25 December 1992 (age 31) 23 4 Papua New Guinea Lae City
18 3MF Tizoki Tamgol 0 0 Papua New Guinea Port Moresby
26 3MF Joseph Joe (2002-06-14) 14 June 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Papua New Guinea Hekari United
6 4FW Ati Kepo (1996-01-15) 15 January 1996 (age 28) 13 5 Papua New Guinea Hekari United
10 4FW Kolu Kepo (1993-07-15) 15 July 1993 (age 31) 9 4 Papua New Guinea Hekari United
13 4FW Tommy Semmy (1994-09-30) 30 September 1994 (age 30) 14 5 Australia Melbourne Knights
16 4FW Pascal Kundi (1996-01-15) 15 January 1996 (age 28) 0 0 Papua New Guinea Port Moresby Strikers
19 4FW Kenneth Arah (1996-01-15) 15 January 1996 (age 28) 0 0 Papua New Guinea Gulf Komara
24 4FW Troy Dobbin 0 0 Papua New Guinea Gulf Komara

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Papua New Guinea squad within the last twelve months.


Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
DF Joshua Talau (1996-04-19) 19 April 1996 (age 28) 4 0 Papua New Guinea Lae City 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
DF Philip Steven (1995-01-19) 19 January 1995 (age 29) 3 0 Papua New Guinea Port Moresby 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
DF Illa Ani (2003-06-03) 3 June 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Papua New Guinea Hekari United v.  Malaysia; 20 June 2023
DF Charles Hayes (2004-06-18) 18 June 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Papua New Guinea v.  Malaysia; 20 June 2023
DF Ferdahlesh Namuesh (1996-08-15) 15 August 1996 (age 28) 0 0 Papua New Guinea F.C. Morobe Wawens v.  Malaysia; 20 June 2023
DF Hayden Raminai (2003-06-27) 27 June 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Papua New Guinea v.  Malaysia; 20 June 2023
MF Pala Paul (1999-07-25) 25 July 1999 (age 25) 1 0 Papua New Guinea Gulf Komara 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
MF Michael Foster (1985-09-05) 5 September 1985 (age 39) 29 7 Papua New Guinea Hekari United v.  Malaysia; 20 June 2023
MF Joshua Urro (2003-04-16) 16 April 2003 (age 21) 19 0 Papua New Guinea v.  Malaysia; 20 June 2023
MF Solomon Rani (2002-05-22) 22 May 2002 (age 22) 3 0 Papua New Guinea Hekari United v.  Malaysia; 20 June 2023
MF Bruce Tiampo (2002-07-25) 25 July 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Papua New Guinea Lae City v.  Malaysia; 20 June 2023
MF Lee-Navu Faunt (2003-05-04) 4 May 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Australia Redlands United v.  Malaysia; 20 June 2023
FW Raymond Gunemba (1986-06-04) 4 June 1986 (age 38) 25 11 Papua New Guinea Lae City 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
FW Patrick Aisa (1994-07-06) 6 July 1994 (age 30) 12 3 Papua New Guinea Southern Strikers v.  Malaysia; 20 June 2023
FW Stahl Gubag (1999-07-17) 17 July 1999 (age 25) 5 0 Papua New Guinea Lae City v.  Malaysia; 20 June 2023
FW David Browne (1995-12-27) 27 December 1995 (age 28) 3 0 Free agent v.  Malaysia; 20 June 2023
FW Mathew David (1993-04-06) 6 April 1993 (age 31) 3 0 Papua New Guinea Lae City v.  Malaysia; 20 June 2023

Player records

Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only
Players in bold are still active with Papua New Guinea.

Most appearances

Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Emmanuel Simon 36 4 2014–present
2 Daniel Joe 34 1 2012–present
3 Raymond Gunemba 33 13 2012–present
4 Ronald Warisan 32 0 2014–present
5 Michael Foster 31 7 2003–present
6 Alwin Komolong 23 1 2016–present
7 Felix Komolong 22 0 2016–present
Nigel Dabinyaba 22 9 2014–present
Koriak Upaiga 22 2 2011–present
10 Tommy Semmy 20 6 2014–present

Top goalscorers

Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Reggie Davani 13 17 0.76 2002–2012
Raymond Gunemba 13 33 0.39 2012–present
3 Nigel Dabinyaba 9 19 0.47 2014–present
4 Michael Foster 7 31 0.23 2003–present
5 Nathaniel Lepani 6 8 0.75 2004–2011
Ati Kepo 6 17 0.35 2019–present
Tommy Semmy 6 20 0.3 2014–present
8 Neil Hans 5 8 0.63 2007–2014
Andrew Lepani 5 12 0.42 2003–2011
Mauri Wasi 5 14 0.36 2002–2014

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA Pos Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1966 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1970 to 1994 Did not enter Did not enter
France 1998 Did not qualify 3rd 6 2 1 3 5 13
South Korea Japan 2002 Did not enter Did not enter
Germany 2006 Did not qualify 3rd 4 2 1 1 17 6
South Africa 2010 Disqualified Disqualified
Brazil 2014 Did not qualify 4th 3 0 1 2 2 4
Russia 2018 3rd 9 3 3 3 19 13
Qatar 2022 3rd 4 2 0 2 5 5
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined To be determined
MoroccoPortugalSpain 2030
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 0/14 26 9 6 11 48 41

* Although initially listed by FIFA as having entered the 2010 World Cup, PNG did not enter the football tournament at the 2007 South Pacific Games, which was used as the preliminary round of the Oceanian zone qualification tournament.

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
New Zealand 1973 Did not enter No qualification
New Caledonia 1980 Group stage 6th 3 1 0 2 6 22 N/A
Pacific Community 1996 Did not qualify 4 1 1 2 2 4
Australia 1998 4 1 1 2 3 6
French Polynesia 2000 4 0 0 4 4 19
New Zealand 2002 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 2 12 Squad 4 4 0 0 20 2
Australia 2004 Did not qualify 4 2 1 1 17 6
Pacific Community 2008 Disqualified Disqualified
Solomon Islands 2012 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 2 4 Squad Qualified automatically
Papua New Guinea 2016 Runners-up 2nd 5 2 3 0 13 4 Squad Qualified as host
Vanuatu 2024 Qualifield Qualified automatically
Total Runners-up 4/10 14 3 5 6 23 42 — 20 8 3 9 46 37
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

Pacific Games

Pacific Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Fiji 1963 1st round 5th 1 0 0 1 1 3
New Caledonia 1966 Fourth place 4th 4 1 0 3 14 14
Papua New Guinea 1969 Third place 3rd 6 3 1 2 11 10
French Polynesia 1971 Fourth place 4th 3 1 1 1 19 11
Guam 1975 Group stage 6th 2 0 0 2 3 9
Fiji 1979 Quarter-finals 5th 3 1 1 1 15 3
Samoa 1983 Fourth place 4th 4 1 0 3 22 10
New Caledonia 1987 Third place 3rd 6 3 2 1 26 4
Papua New Guinea 1991 Group stage 5th 3 1 1 1 3 2
French Polynesia 1995 Group stage 6th 3 1 1 1 11 5
Fiji 2003 Group stage 6th 4 1 1 2 12 7
Samoa 2007 Disqualified
New Caledonia 2011 Group stage 6th 4 2 1 1 22 4
Papua New Guinea 2015 See Papua New Guinea national under-23 football team
Samoa 2019 Fourth place 4th 5 3 1 1 17 3
Solomon Islands 2023 5th-8th placement 6th 4 2 1 1 7 3
Total Third place 14/16 52 20 11 30 183 88

MSG Prime Minister's Cup

MSG Prime Minister's Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Solomon Islands 1988 Did not enter
Fiji 1989 First 4th 4 1 1 2 5 4
Vanuatu 1990 First 5th 4 0 0 4 1 5
Vanuatu 1992 Did not enter
Solomon Islands 1994 First 3rd 4 1 1 2 2 4
Vanuatu 1998 First 4th 4 1 1 2 3 6
Fiji 2000 First 5th 4 0 0 4 4 19
Vanuatu 2022 Final 1st 4 3 1 0 7 5
New Caledonia 2023 First 4th 3 0 0 3 2 7
Total Winner 7/9 27 6 4 17 24 50

Honours

  • OFC Nations Cup
    • Runner-up (1): 2016
  • Pacific Games
    • Third place (2): 1969, 1987
  • MSG Prime Minister's Cup
    • Champions (1): 2022
    • Third Place (1): 1994

Head-to-head record

Papua New Guinea Won to Tuvalu 1 Time and Loss to Tuvalu 1 Time No Draws

Up to matches played on 20 July 2019.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1  American Samoa 3 3 0 0 37 0 +37 9
2  Australia 1 0 0 1 2 11 −9 0
3  China 2 0 1 1 2 5 −3 1
4  Chinese Taipei 2 0 2 0 3 3 0 2
5  Cook Islands 2 2 0 0 20 1 +19 6
6  Micronesia 1 1 0 0 10 0 +10 3
7  Fiji 18 2 5 11 15 34 −19 11
8  Guam 1 1 0 0 9 0 +9 3
9  Indonesia 2 1 0 1 3 8 −5 3
10  Iran 1 0 0 1 1 8 −7 0
11  Kiribati 2 2 0 0 30 1 +29 6
12  Liberia 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3
13  Malaysia 4 1 0 3 5 17 −12 3
14  New Caledonia 16 3 2 11 14 47 −33 11
15  New Zealand 5 1 1 3 3 18 −15 4
16  Niue 1 1 0 0 19 0 +19 3
17  North Korea 1 0 0 1 0 4 −4 0
18  Philippines 1 0 0 1 0 5 −5 0
19  Samoa 5 5 0 0 26 3 +23 15
20  Singapore 2 0 0 2 5 9 −4 0
21  Solomon Islands 21 5 4 12 26 34 −8 19
22  Tahiti 15 1 4 10 17 47 −30 7
23  Thailand 1 1 0 0 4 1 +3 3
24  Tonga 4 3 1 0 20 2 +18 10
25  Vanuatu 20 8 4 8 27 32 −5 28
26  Wallis and Futuna 3 3 0 0 16 1 +15 9
Source: Papua New Guinea national football team results
Notes:

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Papúa Nueva Guinea para niños

  • Papua New Guinea women's national football team
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