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Tuvalu national football team facts for kids

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Tuvalu
Shirt badge/Association crest
Association Tuvalu Islands Football Association
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
First colours
Elo ranking
Current 211 Increase 3 (3 March 2019)
Highest 178 (August 1979)
Lowest 215 (July 2019)
First international
 Tahiti 18–0 Tuvalu 
(Suva, Fiji; 29 August 1979)
Biggest win
Unofficial
 Chagos Islands 1–6 Tuvalu 
(London, England; 9 June 2018)
Official
 Tuvalu 4–0 American Samoa 
(Nouméa, New Caledonia; 27 August 2011)
 Tonga 0–4 Tuvalu 
(Honiara, Solomon Islands; 27 November 2023)
Biggest defeat
 Tahiti 18–0 Tuvalu 
(Suva, Fiji; 29 August 1979)
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.

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

Logo Dutch Support Tuvalu
Logo of 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.

Team Tuvalu Pacific Games 2007
Team Tuvalu, Pacific Games 2007

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

Tinilau 03
Okilani Tinilau in action against Vanuatu (2011)

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
2007 Home
2007 Away
2011 Home
2017 Home
2017 Away
2018 Home
2018 Away
2023 Home
Tuvalu national football team (team picture, 2011)
Tuvalu national football team (2011)

Coaches and Managers

No. Name Period
1 Tuvalu Malu, KokeaKokea Malu 1979
2 Australia Jerks, TimTim Jerks 2003
3 Tuvalu Puapua, ToakaiToakai Puapua 2006–2010
4 Netherlands de Haan, FoppeFoppe de Haan 2011
5 Netherlands Looijen, LeenLeen Looijen 2013
6 Tuvalu Ituaso, TaukieiTaukiei Ituaso 2016–2018
7 Tuvalu Taupili, LopatiLopati Taupili 2018
8 Tuvalu Fusi, MatiMati Fusi 2019
9 Tuvalu Mesako, OsamesaOsamesa Mesako 2023–present

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
1 1GK Katepu Iosua (1988-05-11) 11 May 1988 (age 37) 15 0 Tuvalu Tofaga
13 1GK Kioa Elisala 1 0 New Zealand Oratia United

2 2DF John Tuilagi (1999-06-10) 10 June 1999 (age 26) 3 0 Tuvalu Niutao
3 2DF Fakafou Uriam 2 0
4 2DF Aloesi Nukualofa (1994-02-05) 5 February 1994 (age 31) 2 0 Tuvalu Manu Laeva
5 2DF Siale Sopoaga 2 0
15 2DF Sepetaio Nokisi (1993-09-11) 11 September 1993 (age 31) 7 0 New Zealand Te Atatu
16 2DF Tekie Tumau 2 0
19 2DF Maalosi Alefaio (1993-01-19) 19 January 1993 (age 32) 6 0 New Zealand Te Atatu
25 2DF Jason Alama (2002-10-31) 31 October 2002 (age 22) 3 0 New Zealand West Coast Rangers

6 3MF Saulo Haulangi 1 0 Tuvalu Lakena United
7 3MF Paulo Vailine (2002-02-11) 11 February 2002 (age 23) 3 0 Tuvalu Nauti
8 3MF Andrew Pelekata 3 3
14 3MF Niuatea Luka 1 0 Tuvalu Niutao
17 3MF Metia Lisati 0 0
20 3MF Matti Ualesi (1992-05-23) 23 May 1992 (age 33) 7 3 Tuvalu Lakena United
22 3MF Tulimanu Lisati 1 0 Australia Stormbirds
23 3MF Falaima Mokeni (2002-03-29) 29 March 2002 (age 23) 3 0 New Zealand Te Atatu

9 4FW Iasona Lui 2 0 Tuvalu Tofaga
11 4FW Keni Vine 3 2
12 4FW Asaia Eliko 1 0 Tuvalu Nauti
18 4FW Yvan Sapele 3 1 New Zealand Wainuiomata
24 4FW Teuati Tamatoa 2 0

Player Records

Players in bold are still playing for Tuvalu.

Most Games Played

Katepu Sieni
Katepu Sieni is Tuvalu's most capped player with 16 appearances.
Rank Name Caps Goals Career
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

Alopua Petoa
Alopua Petoa is the national team's top scorer with 9 goals.
Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
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
Year Host Result Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1973  New Zealand Not a member of OFC Not a member of OFC
1980  New Caledonia
1996  Oceania
1998  Australia
2000  Tahiti
2002  New Zealand
2004  Australia
2008  Oceania Did not qualify 4 0 1 3 2 22
2012  Solomon Islands Ineligible to participate Ineligible to participate
2016  Papua New Guinea
2024  Vanuatu,  Fiji
Total 0/11 4 0 1 3 2 22

Pacific Games

Pacific Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Fiji 1963 Did not enter
New Caledonia 1966
Papua New Guinea 1969
French Polynesia 1971
Guam 1975
Fiji 1979 Quarter-finals 8th 5 1 1 3 10 42
Samoa 1983 Did not enter
New Caledonia 1987
Papua New Guinea 1991
French Polynesia 1995
Fiji 2003 Group stage 8th 4 1 0 3 3 11
Samoa 2007 9th 4 0 1 3 2 22
New Caledonia 2011 7th 5 1 1 3 7 20
Papua New Guinea 2015 N/A – Tournament was U23
Samoa 2019 Group stage 10th 5 0 1 4 2 42
Solomon Islands 2023 9th 4 2 0 2 8 10
Total Quarter-finals 6/16 27 5 4 18 32 147

Pacific Mini Games

Pacific Mini Games record
Year Host Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1981 to 1993 Did not enter
2017  Vanuatu 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
Year Host Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
2014 to 2016 Did not enter
2018  Barawa 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

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Tuvalu para niños

  • Tuvalu at the Pacific Games
  • Tuvalu national under-17 football team
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