Tonga national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Tonga

Nickname(s)	Tu’Ulalupe
Association	Tonga Football Association
Confederation	OFC (Oceania)
Head coach	Kilifi Uele
Captain	Hemaloto Polovili
Most caps	Kilifi Uele (26)
Top scorer	Unaloto Feao (7)
Home stadium	Teufaiva Sport Stadium Tonga Football Association Stadium
FIFA code	TGA
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	204 (7 February 2019)
Highest	163 (October 1998–December 1998)
Lowest	211 (April 2018, July 2019)
Elo ranking
Current	233 (3 March 2019)
Highest	180 (August 1979)
Lowest	235 (September 2019)
First international
Tahiti 8–0 Tonga  (Suva, Fiji; 29 August 1979)
Biggest win
Tonga 7–0 Micronesia  (Nausori, Fiji; 5 July 2003)
Biggest defeat
Tonga 0–22 Australia  (Coffs Harbour, Australia; 9 April 2001)

The Tonga men's national football team (Tongan: timi soka fakafonua ʻa Tonga) plays for Tonga in international soccer games. This team is managed by the Tonga Football Association, which is part of the Oceania Football Confederation.

Team History

The Tonga national football team played its first game on August 29, 1979, against Tahiti. Their biggest win was 7-0 against Micronesia in 2003. A great moment for Tonga was winning the first-ever Polynesian Cup in 1993. They beat teams like Samoa and the Cook Islands to claim the title.

Football in Tonga

Even though local players from Tonga haven't yet become famous in big international leagues, football is still important there. A big step for Tonga's football was when Joe Topou, who leads the Tonga Football Association, joined the FIFA Executive Committee in 2002. This shows how Tonga is involved in global football decisions.

In 2023, Tonga was not listed in the FIFA rankings anymore. This happened because they hadn't played any official matches since July 18, 2019.

Helping Football Grow

FIFA, the world's football organization, has a special program called the "Goal project." Tonga's second Goal project is helping to make their national football academy and the association's main office better. These buildings are in Atele, Tongatapu. The goal is to make sure the Tonga Football Association has everything it needs. Local matches will be played at the academy, and the offices will help players, officials, and fans. The football school is becoming a "House of Football," a central place for all things soccer in Tonga.

Team Look

Kit Sponsors

The team's uniform supplier has changed over the years:

Kit supplier	Period
Lotto	2007–2013
OFC	2014
None	2016–2019
Lotto	2019–2024
Custom Athletics	2025–

Recent Games and Results

The Tonga national football team has been busy playing matches, especially in 2024. They took part in the 2024 OFC Nations Cup qualification and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification games.

In March 2024, they played in the OFC Nations Cup qualifiers. They lost to Samoa and the Cook Islands. Later in August, they played a friendly match against Nadi F.C. from Fiji.

In September 2024, Tonga played in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. They had a good win against the Cook Islands, scoring 3-1. However, they later lost to Samoa in a close game that went into extra time.

Coaches of the Team

Many coaches have led the Tonga national football team over the years:

Team Players

Current Squad

These players were chosen for the 2026 World Cup qualification matches in September 2024.

Caps means how many games a player has played for the national team. Goals means how many goals they have scored. These numbers are correct as of September 9, 2024.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Semisi ‘Otukolo	(1999-06-23) 23 June 1999 (age 26)	12	0	Veitongo
	1GK	Unaloto Pahulu	(2006-10-18) 18 October 2006 (age 18)	0	0	Folaha
	2DF	Kulisitofa Kite	(2003-01-17) 17 January 2003 (age 22)	7	1	Veitongo
	2DF	Petelo Naniseni	(2003-12-20) 20 December 2003 (age 21)	7	0	Navutoka
	2DF	David-John Tuamoheloa	(2004-06-30) 30 June 2004 (age 21)	6	0	Manukau United
	2DF	Petelo Manu	(2005-12-19) 19 December 2005 (age 19)	2	0	Marist
	2DF	Viliami Tikoipau	(2001-01-07) 7 January 2001 (age 24)	2	1	Manukau United
	2DF	Utu'one Lea'aetoa	(2005-02-16) 16 February 2005 (age 20)	1	0	Veitongo
	3MF	Fineasi Palei	(1989-05-20) 20 May 1989 (age 36)	12	0	Launceston City
	3MF	Christopher Kefu	(2003-02-11) 11 February 2003 (age 22)	6	1	Veitongo
	3MF	Ulafala Sonasi	(2007-07-28) 28 July 2007 (age 18)	4	1	Marist
	3MF	Topuluka Tuamoheloa		3	0	Lower Hutt City
	3MF	Va'inga Teu	(2006-02-12) 12 February 2006 (age 19)	2	0	Fahefa
	3MF	Tomasi Armitage	(2005-05-26) 26 May 2005 (age 20)	1	0	Waikato Unicol
	3MF	Hakeai Fonua	(2008-09-01) 1 September 2008 (age 16)	0	0	Ahau
	3MF	Herick Funaki	(2003-08-07) 7 August 2003 (age 22)	0	0	Longolongo
	3MF	Maikeli Lomu	(1997-10-29) 29 October 1997 (age 27)	0	0	Veitongo
	4FW	Hemaloto Polovili	(1997-07-27) 27 July 1997 (age 28)	17	4	Veitongo
	4FW	Lisiate Feke	(2004-03-25) 25 March 2004 (age 21)	8	0	Veitongo
	4FW	Amoni Fifita	(2004-06-26) 26 June 2004 (age 21)	8	3	Makave
	4FW	Vilikisepi Tai	(2006-02-24) 24 February 2006 (age 19)	4	0	Fahefa
	4FW	Viliami Tukia	(2001-01-07) 7 January 2001 (age 24)	2	0	Lami
	4FW	Ata Inia	(2000-04-25) 25 April 2000 (age 25)	0	0	Chanthaburi

Recent Players Called Up

These players have been called to play for the team in the last 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Nimilote Moala	(2003-07-18) 18 July 2003 (age 22)	1	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
GK	Justin Toetu’u		1	0	Longolongo	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Atieli 'Aho	(2007-01-23) 23 January 2007 (age 18)	2	0	Nukuhetulu	v.  Samoa; 9 September 2024 PRE
DF	Laulea Taufa	(1999-07-14) 14 July 1999 (age 26)	11	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
DF	Sione Talia'uli	(2006-05-29) 29 May 2006 (age 19)	2	0	Fasi-Moe-Afi	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
DF	Sione Tu’ifangaloka	(1999-04-24) 24 April 1999 (age 26)	6	0	Veitongo	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Nicolas Vea	(2003-10-31) 31 October 2003 (age 21)	4	0	Navutoka	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Fakaofo Tonga	(2004-10-29) 29 October 2004 (age 20)	3	0	Navutoka	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Ta’u Tupou		1	0	Vava'u	2023 Pacific Games
MF	Kamaliele Papani	(1984-04-08) 8 April 1984 (age 41)	14	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
MF	Vai Lutu	(1999-09-30) 30 September 1999 (age 25)	11	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
MF	Tuia Falepapalangi	(2000-07-15) 15 July 2000 (age 25)	6	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
MF	Mohammed Rajani	(1999-04-19) 19 April 1999 (age 26)	6	1	Rockdale Ilinden	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
MF	Tau’aika Sonasi		5	0	Marist	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
MF	Petueli Tokotaha	(2000-09-10) 10 September 2000 (age 24)	6	2	Navutoka	2023 Pacific Games
MF	Petueli Tokotaha	(2004-03-25) 25 March 2004 (age 21)	3	0	Longolongo	2023 Pacific Games
MF	Taniela Vaka’uta		2	0	Folaha	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Lafaela Moala	(1982-07-22) 22 July 1982 (age 43)	0	0	Unattached	v.  Samoa; 9 September 2024 PRE
FW	Elias Kendler		4	1	Haʻamoko United Youth	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
FW	Feki Tufi	(2000-04-11) 11 April 2000 (age 25)	2	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
FW	William Foliaki		0	0	Unknown	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
FW	Nuku ‘Esau		3	0	Navutoka	2023 Pacific Games

Player Records

Players in bold are still playing for Tonga.

Most Games Played

Top Goal Scorers

Tournament History

FIFA World Cup

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

FIFA World Cup											Qualification
Year	Host	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	F	A		Pld	W	D	L	F	A
1930 to 1990		Not member of FIFA									Not member of FIFA
1994	United States	Did not enter									Did not enter
1998	France	Did not qualify									4	2	0	2	3	13
2002	South Korea  Japan										4	2	0	2	7	30
2006	Germany										4	1	0	3	2	17
2010	South Africa										4	1	0	3	6	10
2014	Brazil										3	1	1	1	4	4
2018	Russia										3	0	0	3	1	8
2022	Qatar	Withdrew									Withdrew
2026	Canada  Mexico  United States	Did not qualify									2	1	0	1	4	3
2030	Morocco  Portugal  Spain	To be determined									To be determined
2034	Saudi Arabia
Total		—	0/8	–	–	–	–	–	–		24	8	1	15	27	85

OFC Nations Cup

The OFC Nations Cup is the main football tournament for countries in Oceania. Tonga has often tried to qualify for this cup.

Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1973	Did not enter									Did not enter
1980
1996	Did not qualify									3	1	1	1	4	4
1998										4	1	1	2	5	9
2000										4	1	0	3	4	15
2002										4	1	0	3	7	18
2004										4	1	0	3	2	17
2008										4	1	0	3	6	10
2012										3	1	1	1	4	4
2016										3	0	0	3	1	8
2024										2	0	0	2	1	5
Total	—	0/11	–	–	–	–	–	–		31	7	3	21	34	90

Pacific Games

The Pacific Games is a big sports event for countries in the Pacific region. Football is one of the sports played there.

Pacific Games record Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA 1963 Did not enter 1966 1969 1971 1975 1979 Group stage 7th 4 1 0 3 5 20 1983 7th 3 1 1 1 6 8 1987 Did not enter 1991 1995 2003 Group stage 7th 4 1 1 2 9 10 2007 7th 4 1 0 3 6 10 2011 Did not enter 2015 N/A – tournament was U23 2019 Group stage 11th 4 0 0 4 0 37 2023 11th 4 1 0 3 7 13 Total Group stage 6/16 23 5 2 17 31 98

Pacific Mini Games The Pacific Mini Games are smaller versions of the Pacific Games. Pacific Mini Games record Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA 1981 Did not enter 1993 Group stage 7th 3 0 0 3 0 19 2017 Sixth place 6th 5 0 0 5 5 25 Total Sixth place 2/3 8 0 0 8 5 44 Polynesia Cup The Polynesia Cup was a football tournament for Polynesian nations. Tonga had some good results here. Polynesia Cup record Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA 1994 Runners-up 2nd 3 1 1 1 4 4 1998 Fourth place 4th 4 1 1 2 5 9 2000 Fourth place 4th 4 1 0 3 4 15 Total Runners-up 3/3 11 3 2 6 13 28

Team Records Against Other Countries

This section shows how Tonga's team has played against other national teams. Tonga national football team results

Team Achievements

Regional Awards

• Polynesia Cup
  • Second Place (1): 1994

Historical Uniforms

Here are some of the different uniforms the Tonga national football team has worn over the years.

2001 Home

2001 Away

2009 Home

2009 Away

2011 Home

2011 Away

2015 Home

2015 Away

2017 Home

2017 Away

2019 Home

2019 Away

2023 Home

2023 Away

More About Tonga Football

• Tonga national under-23 football team
• Tonga national under-20 football team
• Tonga national under-17 football team
• Tonga women's national football team
• Tonga women's national under-20 football team

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Tonga para niños