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 (French: Équipe de football de Tahiti, Tahitian: Te pŭpŭ tu'e popo a te fenua Tahiti) represents French Polynesia and is controlled by the Fédération Tahitienne de Football. The team consists of a selection of players from French Polynesia, not just Tahiti, and has competed in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) since 1990.

Tahiti is traditionally one of the stronger footballing nations of the Pacific Islands, with the second-best record at the football section of the South Pacific Games, with five victories. They were runners-up in the first three instalments of the Nations Cup (1973, 1980 and 1996). The nation went through a period of less success, but showed promise when it qualified for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. This success was followed up with the title of 2012 OFC Nations Cup, becoming the first team other than Australia and New Zealand to win the competition. Tahiti thus qualified to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup held in Brazil.

History

Tahiti played its first full match on 21 September 1952, at home against New Zealand, drawing 2–2. Seven days later, the two teams played again and New Zealand won 5–3. On 30 September, they played each other for a third time, and Tahiti gained its first victory, by 2–0. However, it is unknown whether this was a full international match.

In September 1953, Tahiti played three matches in New Caledonia against its national side, losing the first 5–0 and the later two 4–1. They then travelled to the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu) and beat its national side 4–2 twice. In 1969, touring World Champions England beat Tahiti 4–1 in an exhibition match. In 1989, under the leadership of Napoleon Spitz, the official federation was created.

Tahiti entered its first World Cup qualification with the aim of reaching the 1994 World Cup, held in the United States. They were placed in Group A alongside Australia and the Solomon Islands, and played their first match away to the Solomon Islands in Honiara on 11 July 1992. Eric Etaeta equalised for Tahiti to make it 1–1 in the 76th minute. On 11 September, Tahiti hosted Australia in Papeete and lost 3–0. The next fixture was again against Australia, and resulted in a 2–0 away defeat in Brisbane on 20 September. On 9 October, in Papeete, Tahiti defeated the Solomon Islands 4–2. Tahiti's first goal was scored as an 8th-minute penalty from Reynald Temarii, a politician and current president of the OFC. However, Tahiti finished second to Australia in the group and did not advance.

2012 OFC Nations Cup

In 2012, the new edition of the tournament occurred in the Solomon Islands with the host country, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Tahiti, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Samoa (winner of the qualifying tournament) playing the competition. Tahiti defeated New Caledonia in the final in Lawson Tama Stadium 1–0 with a goal by Steevy Chong Hue and became the first team other than Australia (no longer part of OFC) and New Zealand to be crowned Oceania champions.

2013 Confederations Cup

Tahiti players playing against 2010 FIFA World Cup champions Spain

By winning the 2012 OFC Nations Cup, Tahiti qualified for the 2013 Confederations Cup, held in Brazil, for the first time. Tahiti is the first – and, following the tournament's abolition, only – team which participated in the Confederations Cup but has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup. On 17 June 2013, Tahiti lost 1–6 to Nigeria in the 2013 Confederations Cup in Belo Horizonte, with Jonathan Tehau scoring the goal for Tahiti in the second half with a header from a corner; Tahiti fans still rejoiced in the prospect of scoring a goal in an international tournament. On 20 June, Tahiti lost 10–0 against Spain to equal their largest ever lost against New Zealand nine years earlier. On 23 June 2013, Tahiti was beaten 8–0 by Uruguay.

In all, Tahiti conceded 24 goals and scored 1 to end with a goal differential of −23, the worst of any national team in any major competition. However, even with the poor record and heavy defeats, Tahiti's underdog qualities gathered significant respect from the people of Brazil, who always cheered for them in every match. Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque, and strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa – who scored four and three goals respectively against Tahiti – complimented the team's fair play.

2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC)

After two matches canceled due to COVID-19, the Tahitians returned to the qualifying tournament for the World Cup in Qatar. The Toa Aito lost to Solomon Islands and finished second in Group A. Solomon Islands led in the score in the 20th minute, the Tahitians equalized the score when Alvin Tehau scored in the 26th minute. Solomon Islands then made the difference on the return from the half on a lightning counterattack before taking the lead more widely at the end of the match 1–3.

Rivalries

A historical sporting rivalry exists between the two French Pacific overseas collectivities, Tahiti and New Caledonia. They compete regularly in regional and, since 2006, international competitions. In 2012, Tahiti led the number of titles won (1 Oceania Nations Cup, 5 gold medals at the South Pacific Games, 2 at the South Pacific mini-games, against 6 gold at the South Pacific Games for New Caledonia). As of their last match in 2018, out of the 62 matches played since 1953, the New Caledonia has 28 wins against 25 for Tahiti and 9 draws.

Team image

Kit sponsorship

Kit lier	Period
Adidas	2000–2003
Lotto	2004–2012
Nike	2013–2021
Macron	2022–2023
Puma	2024–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

2023 Pacific Games GS 21 November	Fiji	0–0	Tahiti	Honiara, Solomon Islands
19:00 UTC+11				Stadium: SIFF Academy Field Referee: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand)

2023 Pacific Games GS 24 November	Northern Mariana Islands	0–5	Tahiti	Honiara, Solomon Islands
19:00 UTC+11			T. Tehau  30', 38' (pen.) Tinirauarii  43' Degrumelle  69' Kaspard  71'	Stadium: SIFF Academy Field Referee: Timothy Niu (Solomon Islands)

2023 Pacific Games 5th–8th placement 27 November	Tahiti	2–1	Samoa	Honiara, Solomon Islands
16:00 UTC+11	Tinirauarii  49' Lossec  88'		Tumua  2'	Stadium: SIFF Academy Field Referee: David Yaraboinen (Papua New Guinea)

2023 Pacific Games 5th–8th placement 30 November	Tahiti	2–0	Papua New Guinea	Honiara, Solomon Islands
19:00 UTC+11	Tinirauarii  21' T.Tehau  83'			Stadium: SIFF Academy Field Referee: Kavitesh Behari (Fiji)

2024

2024 OFC Nations Cup 16 June	Tahiti	2–0	Samoa	Suva, Fiji
				Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium

2024 OFC Nations Cup 19 June	Papua New Guinea	1–1	Tahiti	Suva, Fiji
				Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium

2024 OFC Nations Cup 22 June	Fiji	1–0	Tahiti	Suva, Fiji
	Krishna  26' (pen.)			Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium

2024 OFC Nations Cup SF 27 June	New Zealand	5–0	Tahiti	Port Vila, Vanuatu
		https://www.oceaniafootball.com/competition-list/ofc-mens-nations-cup-2024-semi-finals-2700242829/group-a-winner-group-b-runner-up-2701555684/		Stadium: Freshwater Stadium

2024 OFC Nations Cup 3rd 30 June	Tahiti	2–1	Fiji	Port Vila, Vanuatu
				Stadium: Freshwater Stadium

2025

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 21 March	New Caledonia	–	Tahiti	Wellington, New Zealand
--:-- UTC+12				Stadium: Sky Stadium

Coaching history

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup.

Caps and goals correct as of 30 June 2024, after the match against  Fiji.

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

The following players have been called up to the Tahiti squad within the last twelve months.

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

Players in bold are still active with Tahiti.

Most appearances

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

Top goalscorers

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record											Qualification record
Year	Host	Result	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1954		Did not exist									Did not exist
1958 to 1990		Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1994	United States	Did not qualify									4	1	1	2	5	8
1998	France										4	0	1	3	2	12
2002	South Korea  Japan										4	3	0	1	14	6
2006	Germany										9	3	3	3	7	25
2010	South Africa										4	1	1	2	2	6
2014	Brazil										9	4	0	5	20	17
2018	Russia										7	3	2	2	14	7
2022	Qatar										2	0	0	2	1	4
2026	Canada  Mexico  United States	To be determined									To be determined
2030	Morocco  Portugal  Spain
2034	Saudi Arabia
Total			0/8								43	15	8	20	65	85

FIFA Confederations Cup

FIFA Confederations Cup record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1992 to 1995	No OFC representative 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

Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record											Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1973	Runners-up	2nd	5	2	2	1	7	4	Squad		No qualification
1980	Runners-up	2nd	4	3	0	1	23	9	N/A
1996	Runners-up	2nd	4	2	0	2	3	12	Squad		3	3	0	0	10	1
1998	Fourth place	4th	4	1	0	3	8	10	Squad		4	4	0	0	27	1
2000	Group stage	5th	2	0	0	2	2	5	Squad		4	4	0	0	30	2
2002	Third place	3rd	5	3	0	2	8	9	Squad		Qualified automatically
2004	Group stage	5th	5	1	1	3	2	24	Squad		4	2	2	0	5	1
2008	Did not qualify										4	1	1	2	2	6
2012	Champions	1st	5	5	0	0	20	5	Squad		Qualified automatically
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	—		19	14	3	2	74	11

Pacific Games Pacific Games record Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA 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 Polynesia Cup record Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA 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

Head-to-head record

Honours

Continental

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

Regional

• 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 kits

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

Sources:

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Tahití para niños

• Tahiti national rugby union team