Tahiti national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Tahiti

Nickname(s)	Toa Aito (Les guerriers de fer; Iron Warriors)
Association	Tahitian Football Federation
Confederation	OFC (Oceania)
Head coach	Samuel Garcia
Captain	Teaonui Tehau
Most caps	Teaonui Tehau (48)
Top scorer	Teaonui Tehau (31)
Home stadium	Stade Pater Te Hono Nui
FIFA code	TAH
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	157 (7 February 2019)
Highest	111 (August 2002)
Lowest	196 (April–May 2016)
Elo ranking
Current	152 4 (3 March 2019)
Highest	45 (September 1983)
Lowest	167 (September 2011)
First international
French Polynesia 2–2 New Zealand  (Papeete, Tahiti; 21 September 1952)
Biggest win
Tahiti 30–0 Cook Islands  (Papeete, Tahiti; 2 September 1971)
Biggest defeat
New Zealand 10–0 Tahiti  (Adelaide, Australia; 4 June 2004)  Spain 10–0 Tahiti  (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 20 June 2013)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances	10 (first in 1973)
Best result	Champions (2012)
Confederations Cup
Appearances	1 (first in 2013)
Best result	Group stage (2013)

The Tahiti men's national football team is also known as Toa Aito, which means 'Iron Warriors'. This team represents French Polynesia, a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean. The team is managed by the Tahitian Football Federation.

Tahiti has been part of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) since 1990. They are one of the strongest football teams in the Pacific Islands. They have won the football section of the South Pacific Games five times. Tahiti also finished second in the OFC Men's Nations Cup three times (in 1973, 1980, and 1996).

A big moment for Tahiti was when they qualified for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Even more exciting, they won the 2012 OFC Nations Cup. This was a huge achievement because they were the first team other than Australia or New Zealand to win this competition! Winning the OFC Nations Cup meant Tahiti got to play in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Team History

Tahiti played its first official match on September 21, 1952, against New Zealand. The game ended in a 2–2 draw. A few days later, Tahiti got their first win against New Zealand, winning 2–0.

In 1969, the famous England team, who were World Champions at the time, played an exhibition match against Tahiti and won 4–1. In 1989, the official Tahitian Football Federation was created.

Tahiti tried to qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. They played against Australia and the Solomon Islands. Even though they won one game against the Solomon Islands, they didn't make it to the World Cup.

Winning the 2012 OFC Nations Cup

In 2012, the OFC Nations Cup was held in the Solomon Islands. Tahiti played against teams like New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Fiji. Tahiti made it all the way to the final! They played against New Caledonia and won 1–0 with a goal from Steevy Chong Hue. This victory was historic because Tahiti became the first team from Oceania, besides Australia and New Zealand, to win the championship.

Playing in the 2013 Confederations Cup

Because they won the 2012 OFC Nations Cup, Tahiti qualified for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil. This was their first time ever playing in such a big international tournament. Tahiti is the only team that has played in the Confederations Cup but has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup.

In the tournament, Tahiti played against some of the world's best teams. They lost 1–6 to Nigeria, but Jonathan Tehau scored a goal for Tahiti, which made their fans very happy. They also played against Spain (who were World Cup champions at the time) and Uruguay. Even though Tahiti lost all their games, they earned a lot of respect from the Brazilian fans. The fans cheered for them in every match because they were the "underdogs" who never gave up.

2022 FIFA World Cup Qualification

Tahiti also took part in the qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. After some games were canceled due to COVID-19, they played against the Solomon Islands. Tahiti lost this match, even though Alvin Tehau scored a goal for them. They finished second in their group and did not qualify for the World Cup.

Team Rivalries

Tahiti has a long-standing rivalry with New Caledonia. Both are French territories in the Pacific, and they often compete in regional football tournaments. Tahiti has won 1 OFC Nations Cup and 5 gold medals at the South Pacific Games, while New Caledonia has won 6 gold medals at the South Pacific Games. Out of 62 matches played since 1953, New Caledonia has won 28 times, Tahiti has won 25 times, and there have been 9 draws.

Team Kit Sponsors

The Tahiti team has had different kit sponsors over the years:

• Adidas (Germany): 2000–2003
• Lotto (Italy): 2004–2012
• Nike (United States): 2013–2021
• Macron (Italy): 2022–2023
• Puma (Germany): 2024–present

Recent Matches

Here are some of Tahiti's recent match results:

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2023 Matches

• November 21: Fiji 0–0 Tahiti (Pacific Games)
• November 24: Northern Mariana Islands 0–5 Tahiti (Pacific Games)
• November 27: Tahiti 2–1 Samoa (Pacific Games)
• November 30: Tahiti 2–0 Papua New Guinea (Pacific Games)

2024 Matches

• June 16: Tahiti 2–0 Samoa (OFC Nations Cup)
• June 19: Papua New Guinea 1–1 Tahiti (OFC Nations Cup)
• June 22: Fiji 1–0 Tahiti (OFC Nations Cup)
• June 27: New Zealand 5–0 Tahiti (OFC Nations Cup Semi-Final)
• June 30: Tahiti 2–1 Fiji (OFC Nations Cup 3rd Place)

Upcoming 2025 Match

• March 21: New Caledonia vs Tahiti (FIFA World Cup Qualification)

Coaches of the Team

Here are some of the coaches who have led the Tahiti national football team:

• Freddy Vernaudon (1973)
• Richard Vansam (1980, 1997)
• François Ferez (1992)
• Bernard Vahirua (1992)
• Umberto Mottini (1995–1996)
• Gerard Kautai (1996, 2004–2007)
• Alain Rousseau (1998)
• Leon Gardikiotis (1999–2000)
• Patrick Jacquemet (2001–2003)
• Eddy Etaeta (2010–2015)
• Ludovic Graugnard (2015–2018)
• Naea Bennett (2018–2019)
• Samuel Garcia (2019–present)

Key Players

Current Squad

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

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Teave Teamotuaitau	(1992-04-17) 17 April 1992 (age 33)	18	0	Tefana
	1GK	François Decoret	(1999-03-10) 10 March 1999 (age 26)	3	0	Pirae
	1GK	Tevaearai Tamatai	(2001-01-15) 15 January 2001 (age 24)	0	0	Vénus
	2DF	Matatia Paama	(1992-10-03) 3 October 1992 (age 32)	18	1	Pirae
	2DF	Kévin Barbe	(1997-09-02) 2 September 1997 (age 27)	15	1	Vénus
	2DF	Taumihau Tiatia	(1991-07-25) 25 July 1991 (age 33)	11	0	Pirae
	2DF	Téva Lossec	(2002-12-03) 3 December 2002 (age 22)	9	1	Campbell Fighting Camels
	2DF	Mauri Heitaa	(1999-07-31) 31 July 1999 (age 25)	7	0	Vénus
	2DF	Rainui Aroita	(1994-01-25) 25 January 1994 (age 31)	4	0	Tamarii Faa'a
	2DF	Pothin Poma	(1997-02-13) 13 February 1997 (age 28)	3	0	Vénus
	2DF	Haumau Tanetoa	(2004-11-18) 18 November 2004 (age 20)	3	0	Pirae
	3MF	Alvin Tehau	(1989-04-10) 10 April 1989 (age 36)	27	9	Pirae
	3MF	Tauhiti Keck	(1994-08-01) 1 August 1994 (age 30)	18	6	Vénus
	3MF	Frank Papaura	(2005-04-06) 6 April 2005 (age 20)	10	0	Pueu
	3MF	Matéo Degrumelle	(2003-08-22) 22 August 2003 (age 21)	9	3	Le Havre
	3MF	Terai Bremond	(2001-05-16) 16 May 2001 (age 24)	8	0	Vénus
	3MF	Manuarii Shan	(2004-02-23) 23 February 2004 (age 21)	8	0	Vénus
	4FW	Teaonui Tehau	(1992-09-01) 1 September 1992 (age 32)	45	30	Vénus
	4FW	Eddy Kaspard	(2001-05-27) 27 May 2001 (age 24)	11	3	Tefana
	4FW	Roonui Tinirauarii	(1997-03-14) 14 March 1997 (age 28)	10	5	Dragon
	4FW	Ariiura Labaste	(2002-07-26) 26 July 2002 (age 22)	5	0	Pirae

Recent Call-ups

These players have also been part of the Tahiti squad in the last year.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Moana Pito	(2000-01-25) 25 January 2000 (age 25)	3	0	Tefana	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Marama Amau	(1991-01-13) 13 January 1991 (age 34)	13	0	Vénus	2023 Pacific Games
DF	François Hapipi	(1999-03-10) 10 March 1999 (age 26)	7	0	Tefana	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Keanu Vernaudon	(2002-10-18) 18 October 2002 (age 22)	2	0	Tefana	2023 Pacific Games
MF	Roonui Tehau	(1999-12-15) 15 December 1999 (age 25)	8	1	Vénus	2023 Pacific Games
MF	Honoura Maraetefau	(2002-07-27) 27 July 2002 (age 22)	5	0	Tefana	2023 Pacific Games
MF	Kavai'ei Morgant	(2001-10-08) 8 October 2001 (age 23)	4	1	Tefana	2023 Pacific Games
MF	Paolo Hausner	(2002-02-21) 21 February 2002 (age 23)	2	0	Saint-Méziéry	2023 Pacific Games
FW	Raimana Tetuanui	(1994-01-01) 1 January 1994 (age 31)	3	0	Pueu	2023 Pacific Games
FW	Tauatua Lucas	(1994-11-23) 23 November 1994 (age 30)	2	0	Tefana	2023 Pacific Games

Player Records

Here are some of the top players for Tahiti based on how many games they've played and how many goals they've scored. Players in bold are still playing for the team.

Most Games Played

Teaonui Tehau is Tahiti's top goalscorer and their most capped player.

Top Goal Scorers

Tournament History

FIFA World Cup

Tahiti has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup.

FIFA World Cup Record
Year	Host	Result	Position	Games	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals For	Goals Against
1930 to 1954		Team did not exist
1958 to 1990		Not a FIFA member
1994	United States	Did not qualify
1998	France
2002	South Korea  Japan
2006	Germany
2010	South Africa
2014	Brazil
2018	Russia
2022	Qatar
2026	Canada  Mexico  United States	To be determined
2030	Morocco  Portugal  Spain
2034	Saudi Arabia
Total			0/8

FIFA Confederations Cup

Tahiti played in the FIFA Confederations Cup once.

FIFA Confederations Cup Record
Year	Round	Position	Games	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals For	Goals Against
1992 to 1995	No OFC team invited
1997 to 2009	Did not qualify
2013	Group stage	8th	3	0	0	3	1	24
2017	Did not qualify
Total	Group stage	1/10	3	0	0	3	1	24

OFC Nations Cup

Tahiti has a strong record in the OFC Nations Cup, winning it once.

Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup Record
Year	Round	Position	Games	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals For	Goals Against	Squad
1973	Runners-up	2nd	5	2	2	1	7	4	Squad
1980	Runners-up	2nd	4	3	0	1	23	9	N/A
1996	Runners-up	2nd	4	2	0	2	3	12	Squad
1998	Fourth place	4th	4	1	0	3	8	10	Squad
2000	Group stage	5th	2	0	0	2	2	5	Squad
2002	Third place	3rd	5	3	0	2	8	9	Squad
2004	Group stage	5th	5	1	1	3	2	24	Squad
2008	Did not qualify
2012	Champions	1st	5	5	0	0	20	5	Squad
2016	Group stage	5th	3	1	2	0	7	3	Squad
2024	Third place	3rd	5	2	1	2	5	8	Squad
Total	1 Title	10/11	42	20	6	16	85	89	—

Pacific Games

Tahiti has been very successful in the Pacific Games, winning five gold medals.

Pacific Games Record
Year	Round	Position	Games	Wins	Draws*	Losses	Goals For	Goals Against
1963	Third place	3rd	2	1	0	1	19	2
1966	Champions	1st	4	4	0	0	14	3
1969	Runners-up	2nd	5	3	1	1	19	7
1971	Third place	3rd	4	2	1	1	41	5
1975	Champions	1st	5	4	0	1	12	6
1979	Champions	1st	5	5	0	0	33	2
1983	Champions	1st	5	5	0	0	25	2
1987	Runners-up	2nd	5	3	1	1	9	4
1991	Group stage	6th	3	1	0	2	15	5
1995	Champions	1st	6	6	0	0	35	2
2003	Fourth place	4th	6	3	0	3	25	7
2007	Group stage	6th	4	1	1	2	2	6
2011	Third place	3rd	6	3	1	2	28	9
2015	Runners-up	2nd	5	3	1	1	34	4
2019	Group Stage	5th	5	3	0	2	19	6
2023	5th–8th placement	5th	4	3	1	0	9	1
Total	5 Titles	16/16	74	50	7	17	339	71

Polynesia Cup

Tahiti has won the Polynesia Cup every time they've played in it!

Polynesia Cup Record
Year	Round	Position	Games	Wins	Draws*	Losses	Goals For	Goals Against
1994	Champions	1st	3	3	0	0	10	1
1998	Champions	1st	4	4	0	0	27	1
2000	Champions	1st	4	4	0	0	30	2
Total	3 Titles	3/3	11	11	0	0	67	4

Team Achievements

Continental Titles

• OFC Nations Cup
  • Champions (1): 2012
  • Runners-up (3): 1973, 1980, 1996
  • Third place (2): 2002, 2024

Regional Titles

• Pacific Games
  • Gold medal (5): 1966, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1995
  • Silver medal (2): 1969, 1987
  • Bronze medal (3): 1963, 1971, 2011
• Polynesia Cup
  • Champions (3): 1994, 1998, 2000

Historical Team Kits

Here are some of the uniforms the Tahiti team has worn over the years:

1984 Home

1987 Home

1990 Home

2000 Home

2002 Home

2004 Home

2007 Home

2011 Home

2011 Away

2012 Home

2012 Home

2012 Away

2013 Home

2013 Away

2016 Home

2016 Away

2022 Home

2022 Away

Images for kids

• 

  Tahiti players playing against 2010 FIFA World Cup champions Spain

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Tahití para niños

• Tahiti national rugby union team