Tonga national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Tonga women's national football team.

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) represents Tonga in men's international football and is controlled by the Tonga Football Association, which is a part of the Oceania Football Confederation.

History

Information

Football in Tonga

Tonga's greatest football triumph to date was their triumph in the first ever Polynesian Cup held in 1993 over Samoa and the Cook Islands. Although local players have not yet made their mark on big leagues abroad, the Chief Executive of the Tonga Football Association, Joe Topou, was appointed to the FIFA Executive Committee in 2002.

In July 2023, Tonga became unranked within the FIFA rankings due to not having played any matches since they lost 8-0 to Papua New Guinea on 18 July 2019.

The second Goal project

Tonga's second Goal project will develop and improve the national football academy and the association's headquarters in Atele, Tongatapu, which was built in the country's first Goal project. This development work has the aim that all of the Tonga Football Association's needs are fully satisfied. Local matches will be held at the football academy, while the administration's requirements, including the needs of players, officials and spectators, will also be covered. The football school will be transformed into a House of Football.

Team image

Kit sponsorship

Kit supplier	Period
Lotto	2007–2013
	2013–2017
Lotto	2018–

Fixtures and results

2023

2023 Pacific Games 18 November 2023	New Caledonia	7–0	Tonga	Honiara, Solomon Islands
16:00	Waya 2', 56', 62' Vakié 5' Zeoula 16' Wélépane 24' Katrawa 26'	Report		Stadium: SIFF Academy Field Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)

2023 Pacific Games 21 November 2023	Tonga	1–2	Cook Islands	Honiara, Solomon Islands
16:00				Stadium: SIFF Academy Field

2023 Pacific Games 27 November 2023	Tonga	0–4	Tuvalu	Honiara, Solomon Islands
13:00				Stadium: SIFF Academy Field

2023 Pacific Games 30 November 2023	American Samoa	2–6	Tonga	Honiara, Solomon Islands
10:00				Stadium: SIFF Academy Field

2024

2024 OFC Nations Cup qualification 20 March	Tonga	1–4	Samoa	Nuku'alofa, Tonga
14:00	Kite 90+5'	https://www.oceaniafootball.com/competition-list/ofc-mens-nations-cup-2024-qualifying-stage-2700242469/tonga-samoa-2700704472/	Tumua 11' (pen.) Viliamu 45+1', 60' Stowers 89'	Stadium: Teufaiva Stadium Attendance: 300 Referee: Luke Gardner (New Zealand)

2024 OFC Nations Cup qualification 26 March	Cook Islands	1–0	Tonga	Nuku'alofa, Tonga
14:00				Stadium: Teufaiva Stadium

Friendly 28 August	Nadi F.C.	v	Tonga	Nadi, Fiji
19:00 UTC+12				Stadium: Prince Charles Park

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 6 September	Cook Islands	1–3	Tonga	Apia, Samoa
11:00 UTC+13	Kumsuz 63'		Tikoipau 27' Polovili 39' (pen.) Kefu 79'	Stadium: FFS Football Stadium Attendance: 300 Referee: Calvin Berg (New Zealand)

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 9 September	Tonga	1–2	Samoa	Apia, Samoa
15:00 UTC+13	Sonasi 45+1'		Salisbury 82' Faamatau 105+3'	Stadium: National Soccer Stadium Attendance: 500 Referee: Mederic Lacour (New Caledonia)

Coaching history

Tongia Nāpa'a (1979)
Rudi Gutendorf (1981)
Umberto Mottini (1997–1998)
Gary Phillips (2001)
Heinave Kaifa (2002–2003)
Milan Janković (2003–2005)
Ben Perry (2005–2006)
Reece McLaughlin (2006–2007)
Chris Williams (2011)
Timote Moleni (2015–2023)
Kilifi Uele (2024–present)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 World Cup qualification matches in September 2024.

Caps and goals updated as of 9 September 2024, after the game against Samoa.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Semisi ‘Otukolo	(1999-06-23) 23 June 1999 (age 25)	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 21)	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 20)	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 23)	2	1	Manukau United
2DF	Utu'one Lea'aetoa	(2005-02-16) 16 February 2005 (age 19)	1	0	Veitongo

3MF	Fineasi Palei	(1989-05-20) 20 May 1989 (age 35)	12	0	Launceston City
3MF	Christopher Kefu	(2003-02-11) 11 February 2003 (age 21)	6	1	Veitongo
3MF	Ulafala Sonasi	(2007-07-28) 28 July 2007 (age 17)	4	1	Marist
3MF	Topuluka Tuamoheloa		3	0	Lower Hutt City
3MF	Va'inga Teu	(2006-02-12) 12 February 2006 (age 18)	2	0	Fahefa
3MF	Tomasi Armitage	(2005-05-26) 26 May 2005 (age 19)	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 21)	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 27)	17	4	Veitongo
4FW	Lisiate Feke	(2004-03-25) 25 March 2004 (age 20)	8	0	Veitongo
4FW	Amoni Fifita	(2004-06-26) 26 June 2004 (age 20)	8	3	Makave
4FW	Vilikisepi Tai	(2006-02-24) 24 February 2006 (age 18)	4	0	Fahefa
4FW	Viliami Tukia	(2001-01-07) 7 January 2001 (age 23)	2	0	Lami
4FW	Ata Inia	(2000-04-25) 25 April 2000 (age 24)	0	0	Chanthaburi

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up within 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 21)	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 17)	2	0	Nukuhetulu	v. Samoa; 9 September 2024 ^PRE
DF	Laulea Taufa	(1999-07-14) 14 July 1999 (age 25)	11	0	Veitongo	v. Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
DF	Sione Talia'uli	(2006-05-29) 29 May 2006 (age 18)	2	0	Fasi-Moe-Afi	v. Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
DF	Sione Tu’ifangaloka	(1999-04-24) 24 April 1999 (age 25)	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 40)	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 24)	6	0	Veitongo	v. Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
MF	Mohammed Rajani	(1999-04-19) 19 April 1999 (age 25)	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 20)	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 42)	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 24)	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 active with Tonga.

Most appearances

Rank	Name	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Kilifi Uele	26	3	1996–2017
2	Unaloto Fea'o	17	7	2001–2017
2	Hemaloto Polovili	17	4	2015–present
4	Lafaele Moala	16	1	2003–2015
5	Folio Moeaki	15	0	2004–2015
5	Sione Uhatahi	15	1	2007–2019
7	Siu'a Ma'amaloa	14	1	2001–2004
7	Kamaliele Papani	14	0	2003–present
9	Semisi 'Otukolo	12	0	2017–present
9	Fineasi Palei	12	0	2011–present

Top goalscorers

Rank	Name	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Unaloto Fea'o	7	17	0.41	2001–2017
2	Lokoua Taufahema	5	7	0.71	2001–2011
3	Hemaloto Polovili	4	17	0.24	2015–present
4	Amone Suli	3	1	3	2002
	Amoni Fifita	3	8	0.38	2023–present
	Mark Uhatahi	3	11	0.27	2003–2015
	Kilifi Uele	3	26	0.12	1996–2017
8	Ma'ake Uhatahi	2	2	1	2009
	Petueli Tokotaha	2	6	0.33	2017–present
	Pio Palu	2	7	0.29	2007–2011
	Timote Moleni	2	8	0.25	1996–2001
	Filisione Taufahema	2	8	0.25	2001–2002

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

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	To be determined								To be determined
Total		—	0/8	–	–	–	–	–	–	24	8	1	15	27	85

OFC Nations 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	Did not enter								Did not enter
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

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	Group stage	7th	3	1	1	1	6	8
1987	Did not enter
1991
1995
2003	Group stage	7th	4	1	1	2	9	10
2007	Group stage	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	Group stage	11th	4	1	0	3	7	13
Total	Group stage	6/16	23	5	2	17	31	98

Pacific Mini 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

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