Tuvalu national football team facts for kids
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Association | Tuvalu Islands Football Association | |
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Confederation | OFC (Oceania) | |
Head coach | Osamesa Mesako | |
Most caps | Katepu Sieni (16) | |
Top scorer | Alopua Petoa (9) | |
Home stadium | Tuvalu Sports Ground | |
FIFA code | TUV | |
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Elo ranking | ||
Current | 211 ![]() |
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Highest | 178 (August 1979) | |
Lowest | 215 (July 2019) | |
First international | ||
![]() ![]() (Suva, Fiji; 29 August 1979) |
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Biggest win | ||
Unofficial![]() ![]() (London, England; 9 June 2018) Official ![]() ![]() (Nouméa, New Caledonia; 27 August 2011) ![]() ![]() (Honiara, Solomon Islands; 27 November 2023) |
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Biggest defeat | ||
![]() ![]() (Suva, Fiji; 29 August 1979) |
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ConIFA World Football Cup | ||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2018) | |
Best result | Group stage (2018) | |
Pacific Mini Games | ||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2017) | |
Best result | Group stage (2017) | |
Pacific Games | ||
Appearances | 6 (first in 1979) | |
Best result | Quarter-finals (1979) |
The Tuvalu national football team represents the island nation of Tuvalu in international football games. Players for the national team come from the Tuvalu A-Division, which is their local league. They train at the Tuvalu Sports Ground in Funafuti. The team plays in events like the Pacific Games. The Tuvalu Islands Football Association manages the team. This association is part of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) but not a full member of FIFA.
Contents
Team Memberships
Tuvalu is a member of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). However, it is not a member of FIFA, the main global football organization. In September 2008, Tuvalu's Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia and the President of the Tuvalu Football Association, Tapugao Falefou, visited FIFA's headquarters. They hoped to make Tuvalu a full member.
In December 2013, a leader from the OFC, Tai Nicholas, explained why Tuvalu could not join FIFA. He said the main reason was that Tuvalu did not have a proper football field that met FIFA's rules. The Tuvalu Football Association is still trying to join FIFA. A group called the Dutch Support Tuvalu Foundation helps Tuvalu with its FIFA application. They also help develop football in Tuvalu.
Since November 2016, Tuvalu was a member of the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA). This group is for teams not part of FIFA. However, by 2022, Tuvalu was no longer listed as a CONIFA member.
Playing in CONIFA
In November 2016, Tuvalu joined CONIFA. On March 7, 2018, it was announced that Tuvalu would take part in the 2018 ConIFA World Football Cup in London. They replaced Kiribati. On June 9, 2018, Tuvalu had their biggest win ever. They beat the Chagos Islands 6–1. Tuvalu left CONIFA around 2020.
Dutch Support Tuvalu Foundation
The Tuvalu national football team gets help from the Dutch Support Tuvalu Foundation. This group is based in the Netherlands.
On August 18, 2013, the Tuvalu team went on a three-month trip to the Netherlands. They played at least 20 friendly games against local amateur clubs. Leen Looijen, a former coach from famous Dutch clubs, was their mentor. The Dutch Support Tuvalu Foundation organized this trip.
The Tuvalu team and the foundation's work are featured in a 2013 documentary. It is called Mission Tuvalu (Missie Tuvalu). Jeroen van den Kroonenberg directed it.
Team History in Competitions
1979 South Pacific Games
The Tuvaluan team played three international matches at the 1979 South Pacific Games. Kokea Malu was the coach, and Karl Tili was the captain. In their first international match, Tahiti beat them 18–0. This is still Tuvalu's biggest loss.
However, in their next game, Tuvalu won 5–3 against Tonga. This win helped them move to the next round. There, New Caledonia defeated Tuvalu 11–0. The team then drew 3–3 with Kiribati. Tuvalu won the penalty shootout 4–2. This sent them to the semi-finals of a smaller tournament for fifth place. In that round, Guam beat Tuvalu 7–2.
2003 South Pacific Games
Before the 2003 South Pacific Games, Tuvalu played a friendly game. They lost 9–0 to Fiji.
Tuvalu also played four games at the 2003 South Pacific Games in Fiji. Tim Jerks was their coach. They won their first game against Kiribati 3–2. Then, they played Fiji again and lost 4–0. In the game against Vanuatu, Tuvalu lost closely, 1–0. In their last game, the Solomon Islands beat them 4–0. Tuvalu finished fourth in their group.
2007 World Cup and OFC Nations Cup Qualifiers
In 2007, Tuvalu made history. They became the first non-FIFA member to play in an official World Cup qualifying match. Toakai Puapua was the coach, and Petio Semaia was the captain. This happened because the 2007 South Pacific Games was used as the first step for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2008 OFC Nations Cup.
In their first game, Fiji defeated Tuvalu 16–0. But Tuvalu played well against New Caledonia, who were strong. They only lost 1–0. Tuvalu then drew 1–1 with Tahiti. Viliamu Sekifu scored a late goal. In their last group game, the Cook Islands beat them 4–1. Tuvalu finished last in their group with one point.
2011 Pacific Games
In 2011, the Tuvalu National Football Association hired Dutch coach Foppe de Haan. He coached part-time and as a volunteer. De Haan had coached famous teams before. He started with a 3–0 win over Samoa in a warm-up game. Striker Alopua Petoa scored three goals.
De Haan's second match was a record 4–0 win against American Samoa. This was their first game in the 2011 Pacific Games. Nineteen-year-old Alopua Petoa scored another three goals. The third match was not as good. They lost 5–1 to Vanuatu. After losing 8–0 to New Caledonia and 6–1 to Solomon Islands, the Tuvaluan team drew 1–1 with Guam. The team finished with four points, tied with Guam. This was Tuvalu's best performance in an international tournament at that time.
De Haan left his coaching job after the tournament. He went back to work with a youth football program.
2023 Pacific Games
In November 2023, Tuvalu played in the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands. They arrived late for their first game against Papua New Guinea. Because of this, Papua New Guinea was given a 3-0 win. Tuvalu then lost 0-6 to Vanuatu. This meant Tuvalu finished last in their group.
They then played a playoff game against Tonga and won 4-0. Their final game was the 9th Place Play-off against the Northern Mariana Islands. Tuvalu won this match 4-1.
Tuvaluan Footballers Abroad
Some Tuvaluan footballers have played for clubs in other countries. Tulimanu Lisati played for Stormbirds SC in Alice Springs, Australia.
Many Tuvaluan players have also played for clubs in New Zealand:
- Vaisua Liva and Alopua Petoa joined Waitakere City in 2012. Meneua Fakasega and Jerome Funafuti also played there.
- Maalosi Alefaio and Sepetaio Nokisi played for Te Atatu.
- Jason Alama played for West Coast Rangers.
- Falaima Mokeni played for North Wellington.
- Blake Lisk played for Wellington Phoenix.
- Yvan Sapele played for Wainuiomata.
Historical Team Kits
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 1979
South Pacific Games |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 2003 Home
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 2007 Home
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 2007 Away
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 2011 Home
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 2017 Home
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 2017 Away
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 2018 Home
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 2018 Away
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 2023 Home
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Coaches and Managers
The coaching team for the 2023 Pacific Games included Lisati Tulimanu (Assistant Coach), Joshua Tapasei (Team Manager), and Etimoni Timuani (Trainer).
Current Players
The players listed below were part of the team for the 2023 Pacific Games.
The number of games played (caps) and goals scored are correct as of November 30, 2023, after the game against Northern Mariana Islands.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
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1 | GK | Katepu Iosua | 11 May 1988 | 15 | 0 | ![]() |
13 | GK | Kioa Elisala | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
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2 | DF | John Tuilagi | 10 June 1999 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
3 | DF | Fakafou Uriam | 2 | 0 | ||
4 | DF | Aloesi Nukualofa | 5 February 1994 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
5 | DF | Siale Sopoaga | 2 | 0 | ||
15 | DF | Sepetaio Nokisi | 11 September 1993 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
16 | DF | Tekie Tumau | 2 | 0 | ||
19 | DF | Maalosi Alefaio | 19 January 1993 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
25 | DF | Jason Alama | 31 October 2002 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
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6 | MF | Saulo Haulangi | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
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7 | MF | Paulo Vailine | 11 February 2002 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
8 | MF | Andrew Pelekata | 3 | 3 | ||
14 | MF | Niuatea Luka | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
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17 | MF | Metia Lisati | 0 | 0 | ||
20 | MF | Matti Ualesi | 23 May 1992 | 7 | 3 | ![]() |
22 | MF | Tulimanu Lisati | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
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23 | MF | Falaima Mokeni | 29 March 2002 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
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9 | FW | Iasona Lui | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
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11 | FW | Keni Vine | 3 | 2 | ||
12 | FW | Asaia Eliko | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
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18 | FW | Yvan Sapele | 3 | 1 | ![]() |
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24 | FW | Teuati Tamatoa | 2 | 0 |
Player Records
- Players in bold are still playing for Tuvalu.
Most Games Played
Rank | Name | Caps | Goals | Career |
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1 | Katepu Sieni | 16 | 0 | 2011–present |
2 | Alopua Petoa | 13 | 9 | 2011–2019 |
3 | Mau Peninsula | 12 | 0 | 2003–2011 |
4 | Joshua Tui Tapasei | 11 | 0 | 2003–present |
Sosene Vailine | 11 | 3 | 2017–present | |
6 | Jelly Selau | 10 | 0 | 2007–2019 |
7 | James Lepaio | 9 | 1 | 2011–2019 |
Etimoni Timuani | 9 | 1 | 2011–2019 | |
9 | Paenui Fagota | 7 | 1 | 2003–2007 |
Matti Uaelesi | 7 | 3 | 2017–present |
Top Goal Scorers
Rank | Name | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
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1 | Alopua Petoa | 9 | 13 | 0.69 | 2011–2019 |
2 | Saifoloi Metia Tealofi | 5 | – | – | 1979 |
3 | Andrew Pelekata | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2023–present |
Matti Uaelesi | 3 | 7 | 0.43 | 2017–present | |
Sosene Vailine | 3 | 11 | 0.27 | 2017–present | |
6 | Keni Vine | 2 | 3 | 0.67 | 2023–present |
Competition Records
OFC Nations Cup
Tuvalu joined the OFC in 2006. This means they can play in the OFC Nations Cup.
Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
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Year | Host | Result | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1973 | ![]() |
Not a member of OFC | Not a member of OFC | |||||||||||||
1980 | ![]() |
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1996 | ![]() |
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1998 | ![]() |
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2000 | ![]() |
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2002 | ![]() |
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2004 | ![]() |
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2008 | ![]() |
Did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 22 | ||||||||
2012 | ![]() |
Ineligible to participate | Ineligible to participate | |||||||||||||
2016 | ![]() |
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2024 | ![]() ![]() |
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Total | — | 0/11 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 22 |
Pacific Games
Pacific Mini Games
Pacific Mini Games record | |||||||||
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Year | Host | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
1981 to 1993 | Did not enter | ||||||||
2017 | ![]() |
Fourth place | 4th | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 28 |
Total | Fourth place | 1/3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 28 |
ConIFA World Football Cup
ConIFA World Football Cup record | |||||||||
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Year | Host | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
2014 to 2016 | Did not enter | ||||||||
2018 | ![]() |
Group stage | 15th | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 24 |
Total | Group stage | 1/3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 24 |
Honors
National Titles
- Tuvalu A-Division
- Winners (1): 2018
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Tuvalu para niños
- Tuvalu at the Pacific Games
- Tuvalu national under-17 football team