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Samoa national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Not to be confused with American Samoa men's national football team.
This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Samoa women's national football team.
Quick facts for kids
Samoa
Shirt badge/Association crest
Association Football Federation Samoa
Confederation OFC (Oceania)
Head coach Jess Ibrom
Captain Andrew Setefano
Most caps Andrew Setefano (28)
Top scorer Desmond Fa'aiuaso (9)
Home stadium National Soccer Stadium
FIFA code SAM
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 197 Steady (7 February 2019)
Highest 146 (December 2007)
Lowest 204 (November 2011)
Elo ranking
Current 220 Decrease 2 (3 March 2019)
Highest 182 (1979)
Lowest 224 (September 2015)
First international
 Solomon Islands 12–0 Western Samoa 
(Suva, Fiji; 31 August 1979)
Biggest win
 Samoa 10–0 American Samoa 
(Honiara, Solomon Islands; 20 November 2023)
Biggest defeat
 Tahiti 13–0 Western Samoa 
(Honiara, Solomon Islands; 13 July 1981)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances 3 (first in 2012)
Best result Group stage (2012, 2016, 2024)
Pacific Games
Appearances 5 (first in 1979)
Best result Quarter-finals (1983)

The Samoa men's national football team represents the country of Samoa in international soccer games. This team is managed by the Football Federation Samoa, which is the main group for football in Samoa. Their home stadium is the National Soccer Stadium in Apia. Before 1997, the team was known as the Western Samoa national football team.

History of Samoa's Soccer Team

Early Games and First Steps (1979–1993)

Samoa played its first international games in 1979. They took part in the 1979 South Pacific Games in Fiji. They lost both of their first matches.

Four years later, Samoa hosted the 1983 games. They won against American Samoa 3–1 and tied with Tonga 3–3. These results helped them move to the next round. However, Tahiti beat them 2–0 in the quarterfinals.

Samoa also tried to qualify for the 1988 Summer Olympics. They played against New Zealand but lost both games. They were then eliminated after losing to Chinese Taipei.

Challenges in Regional Tournaments (1994–2010)

In 1994, Samoa hosted the first Polynesia Cup. They finished third after beating American Samoa and tying with Tonga. In 1998 and 2000, they also placed third in the Polynesia Cup.

After not playing in some tournaments, Samoa returned as hosts for the 2007 South Pacific Games. They won against Tonga and American Samoa. But they lost to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, which meant they were out of the competition.

Playing in the OFC Nations Cup (2011–Present)

In 2011, Samoa hosted the qualifying tournament for the OFC Nations Cup. They won against the Cook Islands and American Samoa, and tied with Tonga. This allowed them to qualify for the OFC Nations Cup for the first time ever. At the main championship, they faced tough teams and lost all their matches.

For the 2016 qualifiers, Samoa beat American Samoa and Tonga. They qualified for the tournament again. In the 2016 OFC Nations Cup, they lost all their games and finished last in their group.

In the 2024 qualifiers, Samoa won against Tonga and the Cook Islands. This helped them reach the final tournament. At the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup, Samoa lost all three of their group matches. They finished fourth in their group and were eliminated.

Recent Games and Results

Here are some of the games Samoa has played recently and their upcoming matches.

2023 Matches

2024 Matches

Coaching Staff

The people who help coach and manage the Samoa national football team are listed below.

Position Name
Head coach England Jess Ibrom
Assistant coach New Zealand Alastair McLae
Goalkeeping coach Samoa Joseph Kapisi
Team manager Samoa Saolotoga Pula
Technical adviser New Zealand Jess Ibrom
Gear manager Samoa Bevan Kapisi
International Scout New Zealand Alastair McLae
International Scout England Russ Gurr

Coaching History

Many different coaches have led the Samoa team over the years.

  • Samoa Terry Epa (1996–2001)
  • Argentina Vic Fernandez (2001–2002)
  • Samoa Malo Vaga (2002)
  • England David Brand (2002/2005)
  • Germany Rudi Gutendorf (2003)
  • Samoa Falevi Umutaua (2007)
  • American Samoa Tunoa Lui (2011)
  • Samoa Malo Vaga (2012–2014)
  • Samoa Phineas Young (2014–2016)
  • New Zealand Scott Easthope (2016–2018)
  • Samoa Paul Ualesi (2019)
  • New Zealand Matt Calcott (2021–2022)
  • Northern Ireland Ryan Stewart (2023–present)

Meet the Players

These are the players who were chosen for the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup.

The numbers for games played (caps) and goals scored are correct as of June 22, 2024, after the game against Papua New Guinea.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Joel Bartley (2005-04-13) 13 April 2005 (age 20) 7 0 Australia Sydney United
1GK Paul Taupau (2006-01-01) 1 January 2006 (age 19) 1 0 New Zealand Franklin United
1GK Kirk Auvele (2006-06-10) 10 June 2006 (age 19) 0 0 Samoa Vaivase-Tai
2DF Andrew Setefano (1987-08-10) 10 August 1987 (age 37) 23 0 Samoa Lupe o le Soaga
2DF Faitalia Hamilton-Pama (1993-05-17) 17 May 1993 (age 32) 9 1 New Zealand Western Springs
2DF Luke Salisbury (2004-09-15) 15 September 2004 (age 20) 8 1 New Zealand Roslyn-Wakari
2DF Luke Tolo-Kent (2003-04-29) 29 April 2003 (age 22) 8 0 New Zealand Miramar Rangers
2DF Taine Wilson (2004-11-08) 8 November 2004 (age 20) 7 0 New Zealand Nelson Suburbs
2DF Harry Chote (1999-11-04) 4 November 1999 (age 25) 3 0 New Zealand Miramar Rangers
2DF Niko Steinmetz (2000-04-20) 20 April 2000 (age 25) 3 0 New Zealand Western Springs
3MF Dauntae Mariner (2000-01-25) 25 January 2000 (age 25) 8 0 New Zealand Nelson Suburbs
3MF Kaleb De Groot-Green (2002-05-11) 11 May 2002 (age 23) 6 0 New Zealand Christchurch United
3MF Jarvis Filimalae (2003-04-20) 20 April 2003 (age 22) 5 0 Samoa Lupe o le Soaga
3MF Alex Malauulu (2006-03-12) 12 March 2006 (age 19) 2 0 Argentina San Jorge
3MF Caleb Hilbron (2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 (age 23) 1 0 New Zealand Island Bay United
3MF Jesse Vine (2003-01-23) 23 January 2003 (age 22) 1 0 Australia Kemps Creek United
4FW Pharrell Trainor (2006-06-20) 20 June 2006 (age 19) 6 2 Germany TSV Schott Mainz
4FW Dilo Tumua (2000-03-15) 15 March 2000 (age 25) 5 3 Samoa Vaivase-Tai
4FW Michael Tumua Leo (2003-01-15) 15 January 2003 (age 22) 5 5 Samoa Lupe o le Soaga
4FW Kyah Cahill (2003-03-13) 13 March 2003 (age 22) 2 0 unattached
4FW Juan Gobbi (2005-11-17) 17 November 2005 (age 19) 2 0 unattached
4FW Darcy Knight (2000-02-18) 18 February 2000 (age 25) 2 0 New Zealand Onehunga Mangere United
4FW Greg Siamoa (2003-08-21) 21 August 2003 (age 21) 1 0 Cambodia Life FC

Players Called Up Recently

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
DF Key Viliamu (1996-08-26) 26 August 1996 (age 28) 0 0 Samoa Lupe o le Soaga v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
DF Jefferson Faamatau (2000-07-12) 12 July 2000 (age 24) 0 0 Samoa Vaipuna v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
DF Jerrymiah Maiava (2000-09-19) 19 September 2000 (age 24) 0 0 Samoa Vaivase-Tai v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
DF Legend Spencer 2 0 United States FC Minneapolis 2023 Pacific Games
MF Alman Kwan (2003-01-18) 18 January 2003 (age 22) 5 2 Samoa Vaivase-Tai v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
MF Va'a Taualai (1998-06-04) 4 June 1998 (age 27) 6 2 Samoa Lupe o le Soaga v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
MF Reupena Fasi (2005-01-14) 14 January 2005 (age 20) 2 0 Samoa Goldstar Sogi v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
MF Viliami Viliamu (1996-08-26) 26 August 1996 (age 28) 2 0 Samoa Lupe o le Soaga v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
MF Nathan Viliamu 2 2 v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
MF Popese Smith 1 0 v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
MF Falaniko Nanumea (2002-01-17) 17 January 2002 (age 23) 2 0 Samoa Vailima Kiwi 2023 Pacific Games
MF Darren Talilai (1995-10-23) 23 October 1995 (age 29) 2 0 Samoa Lupe o le Soaga 2023 Pacific Games
MF Samuelu Malo (1999-04-04) 4 April 1999 (age 26) 1 0 Samoa Vailima Kiwi 2023 Pacific Games
MF Tuuga Malaeamanu 1 0 Samoa Adidas SC 2023 Pacific Games
FW Ethan Stowers (2005-10-26) 26 October 2005 (age 19) 3 1 Samoa Faatoia United v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
FW Xavier Tanielu (1999-03-02) 2 March 1999 (age 26) 2 0 Samoa Vaivase-Tai v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
FW Alton Leiataua (2005-11-27) 27 November 2005 (age 19) 1 0 Samoa Vaivase-Tai v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
FW Ethelbert Edward (2007-09-03) 3 September 2007 (age 17) 0 0 Samoa Lepea v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024

Player Records and Achievements

This section shows which players have played the most games and scored the most goals for Samoa.

Players in bold are still playing for Samoa.

Most Games Played (Caps)

Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Andrew Setefano 28 0 2011–present
2 Desmond Fa'aiuaso 20 9 2001–2016
3 Filipo Bureta 14 0 2001–2016
Lionel Taylor 14 1 2004–2016
5 Junior Michael 13 5 1996–2007
Luke Tolo Kent 13 0 2023–present
Dauntae Mariner 13 0 2023–present
Luke Salisbury 13 2 2023–present
9 Silao Malo 12 2 2011–2016
Jarrell Sale 12 0 2007–2015
Mike Saofaiga 12 0 2011–2019

Top Goal Scorers

Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Desmond Fa'aiuaso 9 20 0.45 2001–2016
2 Michael Tumua Leo 5 6 0.83 2023–present
Junior Michael 5 13 0.38 1996–2007
4 Dilo Tumua 4 7 0.57 2023–present
5 Tama Fasavalu 3 4 0.75 2002–2004
Vito Laloata 3 4 0.75 2015–2019
Nathan Viliamu 3 7 0.43 2024–present
Pualele Lemana 3 11 0.27 2001–2004

Tournament Records

Samoa has competed in several major football tournaments. Here's how they've done.

FIFA World Cup History

Samoa has tried to qualify for the FIFA World Cup many times but has not yet made it to the main tournament.

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year 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
as  Western Samoa as  Western Samoa
Italy 1990 Did not enter Did not enter
United States 1994 Withdrew Withdrew
as  Samoa as  Samoa
France 1998 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 2 2
South Korea Japan 2002 4 1 0 3 9 18
Germany 2006 4 1 0 3 5 11
South Africa 2010 4 2 0 2 9 8
Brazil 2014 6 2 1 3 6 27
Russia 2018 6 2 0 4 6 22
Qatar 2022 Withdrew Withdrew
Canada Mexico United States 2026 Did not qualify 2 2 0 2 4 1
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total – 0/9 – – – – – – 28 11 1 16 41 89

OFC Nations Cup History

The OFC Men's Nations Cup is the main football competition for countries in Oceania. Samoa has qualified for it a few times.

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  Western Samoa
New Zealand 1973 Did not enter Did not enter
New Caledonia 1980
Pacific Community 1996 Did not qualify 3 1 1 1 5 10
as  Samoa
Australia 1998 Did not qualify 4 2 0 2 8 7
French Polynesia 2000 4 2 0 2 13 6
New Zealand 2002 4 2 0 2 8 9
Australia 2004 4 1 0 3 5 11
Pacific Community 2008 4 2 0 2 9 8
Solomon Islands 2012 Group stage 8th 3 0 0 3 1 24 Squad 3 2 1 0 5 3
Papua New Guinea 2016 8th 3 0 0 3 0 19 Squad 3 2 0 1 6 3
Fiji Vanuatu 2024 7th 3 0 0 3 2 13 Squad 2 2 0 0 5 1
Total Group stage 3/11 9 0 0 9 3 56 — 31 16 2 13 64 58

Pacific Games History

The Pacific Games is another important multi-sport event where Samoa's football team competes.

Pacific Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Fiji 1963 Did not enter
New Caledonia 1966
Papua New Guinea 1969
French Polynesia 1971
Guam 1975
Fiji 1979 Group stage 10th 3 0 0 3 3 19
Samoa 1983 Quarter-finals 6th 4 1 1 2 7 8
New Caledonia 1987 Did not enter
Papua New Guinea 1991
French Polynesia 1995
Fiji 2003
Samoa 2007 Group stage 5th 4 2 0 2 9 8
New Caledonia 2011 Did not enter
Papua New Guinea 2015 N/A – tournament was U23
Samoa 2019 Group stage 8th 4 1 0 3 3 22
Solomon Islands 2023 Group stage 7th 4 21 0 2 141 3
Total Quarter-finals 5/16 19 6 1 12 36 60
  1. Cook Islands gave up before the seventh place final, so Samoa won 3-0 without playing.

How Samoa Has Played Against Other Teams

This table shows Samoa's record against different national teams. It includes games played as Western Samoa.

As of November 15, 2024

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1  American Samoa 12 12 0 0 56 5 +51 36
2  Australia 1 0 0 1 0 11 −11 0
3  Chinese Taipei 1 0 0 1 0 5 −5 0
4  Cook Islands 7 3 1 3 9 9 0 10
5  Fiji 6 0 0 6 3 31 −28 0
6  Guam 1 0 0 1 2 4 −2 0
7  New Caledonia 4 0 0 4 0 29 −29 0
8  New Zealand 2 0 0 2 0 19 −19 0
9  Papua New Guinea 6 0 0 6 5 28 −23 0
10  Solomon Islands 4 0 0 4 0 21 −21 0
11  Tahiti 10 0 0 10 4 50 −46 0
12  Tonga 13 8 3 2 27 11 +16 27
13  Tuvalu 1 0 0 1 0 3 −3 0
14  Vanuatu 6 0 0 6 2 40 −38 0
15  Wallis and Futuna 2 0 0 2 2 5 −3 0
Source: 1979–97 results and 1998–present results

Includes results as Western Samoa.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Samoa para niños

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