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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 (TIFA)
Confederation OFC (Oceania)
Head coach Mati Fusi
Most caps Alopua Petoa
Katepu Iosua Sieni (13)
Top scorer Alopua Petoa (11)
Home stadium Tuvalu Sports Ground
FIFA code TUV
First colours
Second 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
 Chagos Islands 1–6 Tuvalu 
(London, England; 9 June 2018)
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)

The Tuvalu national football team is the international football team of Tuvalu. Football in Tuvalu is played at the club and international level. The Tuvalu national team draws players from the Tuvalu A-Division and trains at the Tuvalu Sports Ground at Funafuti. The national team competes in the Pacific Games, and is controlled by the Tuvalu Islands Football Association (TIFA), which is an associate member of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) but not a member of FIFA.

Membership

Tuvalu is a member of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), but not of FIFA. In September 2008, Tuvaluan Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia and the President of the Tuvalu Football Association, Tapugao Falefou, visited the headquarters of FIFA in Zurich, hoping to gain full membership in the organisation. In December 2013, OFC General Secretariat Tai Nicholas named Tuvalu's lack of a regulation pitch as the main factor preventing the country from being accepted into FIFA. The Tuvalu Football Association continues to seek membership of FIFA with the Dutch Support Tuvalu Foundation assisting Tuvalu with the FIFA application and with the development of football in Tuvalu. Since November 2016, Tuvalu has been a member of the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA) but, as of 2022, is no longer listed as one of their members.

History

1979 South Pacific Games

The Tuvaluan team, captained by Karl Tili, played three international matches at the 1979 South Pacific Games, with Kokea Malu as the coach. In Tuvalu's first international match, they were defeated by Tahiti 18–0; its worst defeat to this day. However, in their next match, the team recorded a large 5–3 victory against Tonga. The victory against Tonga sent the team to the next round, where Tuvalu was defeated by New Caledonia 10–2. The next game was against Kiribati, which was drawn 3–3; however Tuvalu won the penalty shootout 4–2 to advance to the semi-finals of the consolation tournament for fifth place; in that round Tuvalu was defeated by Guam 7–2, who eventually won sixth place after losing the fifth-place match.

2003 South Pacific Games

In a warm-up match for the 2003 South Pacific Games, Tuvalu played a friendly game against Fiji and were defeated 9–0.

Tuvalu also participated in four games at the 2003 South Pacific Games again held in Fiji, with Tim Jerks as the coach. After defeating Kiribati 3–2 in their opening game, Tuvalu played Fiji again, but were defeated with a more respectable 4–0. In the game against Vanuatu, Tuvalu was narrowly defeated 1–0. In the final game of the tournament against Solomon Islands, the Tuvaluan squad was defeated 4–0. Tuvalu finished fourth out of five in Pool A, above Kiribati.

Team Tuvalu Pacific Games 2007
Team Tuvalu, Pacific Games 2007

2007 World Cup and OFC Nations Cup qualifications

In 2007, with Toakai Puapua as the coach, and Petio Semaia as the captain, Tuvalu became the first non FIFA member to participate in an official World Cup qualifying match. The situation arose when the regional governing body used the football competition at the 2007 South Pacific Games, as the first stage of the qualification tournament for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and qualification tournament for the 2008 OFC Nations Cup. In Tuvalu's South Pacific Games debut, they were defeated 16–0 by Fiji. However Tuvalu fought hard in the next match against New Caledonia (who were joint leaders of the competition) and only lost 1–0. Tuvalu then drew 1–1 with Tahiti, with a late equaliser from Viliamu Sekifu. In the last group stage match the Cook Islands, coached by Tim Jerks (who had previously coached Tuvalu), defeated them 4–1. Tuvalu finished last in the group with one point.

2011 Pacific Games

Tinilau 03
Okilani Tinilau in action against Vanuatu (2011)

In 2011 the Tuvalu National Football Association signed Dutch coach Foppe de Haan as the coach on a part-time and volunteer basis. De Haan previously coached SC Heerenveen, Ajax Cape Town and the Dutch national U-21 team. De Haan began his tenure with a 3–0 victory over Samoa in a warm-up match for the 2011 Pacific Games, and striker Alopua Petoa scored a hat-trick.

De Haan's second match in charge saw a record 4–0 victory recorded over American Samoa in the first match of their 2011 Pacific Games campaign, with another hat-trick from 19-year-old Alopua Petoa. The third match was not as successful, with the side going down 5–1 to Vanuatu. After losing 8–0 to New Caledonia, and 6–1 to Solomon Islands, the Tuvaluan team drew with Guam 1–1. The squad finished equal with Guam in Pool A with four points, which was the best performance by Tuvalu in an international tournament at the time.

De Haan left his post after the tournament to rejoin Heerenveen's youth programme.

Dutch Support Tuvalu Foundation

Logo Dutch Support Tuvalu
Logo of Dutch Support Tuvalu Foundation

The national football team of Tuvalu received support from the Dutch Support Tuvalu Foundation, which is a foundation in the Netherlands.

On 18 August 2013, the Tuvalu national football team went on a three-month tour of the Netherlands. During this tour they played at least 20 friendly matches against local amateur football clubs. Former NAC Breda and De Graafschap coach Leen Looijen was the team's mentor during training in the Netherlands, with the tour organised by the Dutch Support Tuvalu Foundation.

The Tuvalu team and the activities of the Dutch Support Tuvalu Foundation are the focus of Mission Tuvalu (Missie Tuvalu) (2013) a feature documentary directed by Jeroen van den Kroonenberg.

Tuvaluan footballers in New Zealand

Many Tuvaluan footballers have played for clubs in New Zealand. Vaisua Liva and Alopua Petoa joined Waitakere City FC in 2012. Meneua Fakasega and Jerome Funafuti also played for Waitakere City FC. Maalosi Alefaio has played for Te Atatu AFC. Striker Blake Lisk has played for Wellington Phoenix.

CONIFA Membership

In November 2016 Tuvalu became a member of the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA). On 7 March 2018 it was announced that Tuvalu would replace Kiribati in the 2018 ConIFA World Football Cup in London. On 9 June 2018, Tuvalu recorded their biggest ever victory in a 6–1 win over the Chagos Islands. Sometime around 2020, Tuvalu would leave CONIFA and they are no longer listed as members of the organisation.

Historical kits

Tuvalu national football team (team picture, 2011)
Tuvalu national football team (2011)
2003 Home
2007 Home
2011 Home
2018 Home
2018 Away

Sources:

Kit sponsorship

Kit lier Period
Netherlands Masita 2007–2011
England Stingz 2018–

Manager history

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–present

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2019 Pacific Games.

Caps and goals updated as of 18 July 2019 after the game against New Caledonia.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Katepu Iosua (1988-05-11) 11 May 1988 (age 35) 13 0 Tuvalu Tofaga
23 1GK Teoliga Fakailoga (1997-09-12) 12 September 1997 (age 26) 1 0 Tuvalu Nauti

3 2DF Sakaio Faimalaga (1997-08-14) 14 August 1997 (age 26) 1 0 Tuvalu Tofaga
4 2DF Meauke Tuilagi (1997-09-05) 5 September 1997 (age 26) 7 0 Tuvalu Niutao
5 2DF Kalamelu Seloto (1992-02-24) 24 February 1992 (age 31) 6 0 Tuvalu Nauti
12 2DF Paolo Taitai (1996-09-02) 2 September 1996 (age 27) 7 0 Tuvalu Tamanuku
13 2DF Nokisi Kaitu (2000-05-02) 2 May 2000 (age 23) 3 0 New Zealand Te Atatu
16 2DF Maalosi Alefaio (1993-01-19) 19 January 1993 (age 30) 5 0 New Zealand Te Atatu
17 2DF Silimai Siaosi (1994-10-14) 14 October 1994 (age 28) 6 0 Tuvalu Manu Laeva

2 3MF Paulo Lotonu (1996-03-20) 20 March 1996 (age 27) 10 1 Tuvalu Nauti
6 3MF Tinoga Temate (1995-05-18) 18 May 1995 (age 28) 3 0
7 3MF Taufaiva Ionatana (1993-02-05) 5 February 1993 (age 30) 9 1 Tuvalu Nauti
10 3MF Afelee Valoa (captain) (1990-07-05) 5 July 1990 (age 33) 9 0 Tuvalu Nauti
14 3MF Sepetaio Nokisi (1993-09-11) 11 September 1993 (age 30) 5 0 New Zealand Te Atatu
18 3MF Nika Tima (1997-09-07) 7 September 1997 (age 26) 0 0
19 3MF Waintau Taaroa (1993-10-12) 12 October 1993 (age 29) 2 0 Tuvalu Lakena United
21 3MF Hosea Sente (2000-04-02) 2 April 2000 (age 23) 2 0
22 3MF Fata Filemoni (1995-07-02) 2 July 1995 (age 28) 3 0 Tuvalu Tofaga

8 4FW Sosene Vailine (1993-03-07) 7 March 1993 (age 30) 8 3 Tuvalu Nauti
9 4FW Nelesone Musika (1997-05-07) 7 May 1997 (age 26) 4 0 New Zealand Levin
11 4FW Alopua Petoa (1990-01-24) 24 January 1990 (age 33) 13 11 Tuvalu Ha'apai United
15 4FW Sueni Founuku (1994-06-15) 15 June 1994 (age 29) 4 0 Tuvalu Tofaga
20 4FW Afelau Kalena (1991-10-23) 23 October 1991 (age 31) 2 0 Tuvalu Ha'apai United

Player records

Players in bold are still active with Tuvalu.

Most appearances

Alopua Petoa
Katepu Iosua Sieni
Alopua Petoa and Katepu Iosua Sieni jointly hold the record for most appearances in the history of Tuvalu with 13 caps each.
Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Alopua Petoa 13 11 2011–2019
Katepu Iosua Sieni 13 0 2011–2019
3 Mau Peninsula 12 0 2003–2011
4 Jelly Selau 10 0 2007–2019
5 James Lepaio 9 1 2011–2019
Etimoni Timuani 9 1 2011–2019
7 Joshua Tui Tapasei 8 0 2003–2019
Sosene Vailine 8 3 2017–2019
9 Paenui Fagota 7 1 2003–2007
10 Petio Semaia 6 1 2003–2007
Lalesi Vaia 6 0 2003–2007
Peniuna Kaitu 6 0 2003–2007
Ali Takataka 6 0 2011–2019
Vaisua Liva 6 0 2011–2019

Most goals scored

Alopua Petoa
Alopua Petoa is the national team's top scorer with 11 goals.
Rank Name Goals Caps Career
1 Alopua Petoa 11 13 2011–2019
2 Saifoloi Metia Tealofi 5 1979
3 Matti Uaelesi 3 5 2017–2019
Sosene Vailine 3 8 2017–2019
5 Okilani Tinilau 2 5 2006–2018
6 Lutelu Tiute 1 5 2011–2019
Togavai Stanley 1 4 2011–2019
James Lepaio 1 9 2011–2019
Uota Ale 1 2 2011–2019
Etimoni Timuani 1 9 2011–2019
Vilamu Sekifu 1 3 2007
Petio Semaia 1 6 2003–2007
Paenui Fagota 1 7 2003–2007
Kivoli Manoa 1 4 2003
Paulo Lotonu 1 5 2017–2019
Taufaiva Ionatana 1 5 2017–2019

Player of the year

In 2014 for the first time in history a Tuvaluan Player of the year was chosen. Sepetaio Willie was the first player who received this honor.

Competitive record

OFC Nations Cup

Tuvalu has been affiliated with OFC since 2006, so they can play in the competition.

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 to 2004 Not a member of OFC Not a member of OFC
2008  Oceania Did not qualify 4 0 1 3 2 22
2012 to 2016 Did not participate Did not participate
2020  New Zealand Cancelled Cancelled
Total 0/10 4 0 1 3 2 22

Pacific Games

Pacific Games record
Year Host Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1963 to 1975 Did not enter
1979  Fiji Quarter-finals 8th 5 1 1 3 10 42
1983 to 1995 Did not enter
2003  Fiji Group stage 8th 4 1 0 3 3 11
2007  Samoa 9th 4 0 1 3 2 22
2011  New Caledonia 7th 5 1 1 3 7 20
2015  Papua New Guinea N/A – tournament was U23
2019  Samoa Group stage 10th 5 0 1 4 2 42
2023  Solomon Islands To be determined
Total Quarter-finals 5/16 23 3 4 16 24 137

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
2020  North Macedonia Cancelled
Total Group stage 1/3 5 0 0 5 4 24

Head-to-head record

Up to matches played on 18 July 2019.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1  American Samoa 2 1 1 0 5 1 +4 4
2  Chagos Islands 1 1 0 0 6 1 +5 3
3  Cook Islands 1 0 0 1 1 4 −3 0
4  Fiji 5 0 0 5 1 47 −46 0
5  Guam 2 0 1 1 3 8 −5 1
6  Kiribati 2 1 1 0 6 5 +1 4
7  Matabeleland 1 0 0 1 1 3 −2 0
8  New Caledonia 5 1 0 4 2 32 −30 3
9  Padania 1 0 0 1 0 8 −8 0
10  Samoa 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 3
11  Solomon Islands 4 0 0 4 1 29 −28 0
12  Székely Land 1 0 0 1 0 4 −4 0
13  Tahiti 3 0 1 2 1 26 −25 1
14  Tamil Eelam 1 0 0 1 3 4 −1 0
15  Tonga 2 2 0 0 9 6 +3 6
16  United Koreans in Japan 1 0 0 1 0 5 −5 0
17  Vanuatu 3 0 0 3 1 16 −15 0
Source: Results

Complete international results

Tuvalu's score is shown first

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Competition Tuvalu scorers Att. Ref.
1 30 August 1979 Buckhurst Park, Suva (N)  Tahiti 0–18 1979 South Pacific Games
2 1 September 1979 Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori (N)  Tonga 5–3 1979 South Pacific Games Saifoloi (5)
3 3 September 1979 Buckhurst Park, Suva (N)  New Caledonia 0–11 1979 South Pacific Games
4 5 September 1979 Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori (N)  Kiribati 3–3
(4–2 p)
1979 South Pacific Games Unknown
5 6 September 1979 Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori (N)  Guam 2–7 1979 South Pacific Games Unknown
6 1 May 2003 Fiji (A)  Fiji 0–9 Friendly
7 30 June 2003 National Stadium, Suva (N)  Kiribati 3–2 2003 South Pacific Games Manoa, Fagota, Semaia
8 1 July 2003 National Stadium, Suva (N)  Fiji 0–4 2003 South Pacific Games &&&&&&&&&&&03000.&&&&&03,000
9 3 July 2003 National Stadium, Suva (N)  Vanuatu 0–1 2003 South Pacific Games &&&&&&&&&&&&0700.&&&&&0700
10 5 July 2003 Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori (N)  Solomon Islands 0–4 2003 South Pacific Games &&&&&&&&&&&02500.&&&&&02,500
11 25 August 2007 Toleofoa Joseph Blatter Soccer Complex, Apia (N)  Fiji 0–16 2007 South Pacific Games[A] &&&&&&&&&&&&0200.&&&&&0200
12 27 August 2007 Toleofoa Joseph Blatter Soccer Complex, Apia (N)  New Caledonia 0–1 2007 South Pacific Games[A] &&&&&&&&&&&&0250.&&&&&0250
13 29 August 2007 Toleofoa Joseph Blatter Soccer Complex, Apia (N)  Tahiti 1–1 2007 South Pacific Games[A] Sekifu &&&&&&&&&&&&0100.&&&&&0100
14 1 September 2007 Toleofoa Joseph Blatter Soccer Complex, Apia (N)  Cook Islands 1–4 2007 South Pacific Games[A] Willis (o.g.) &&&&&&&&&&&&0200.&&&&&0200
15 22 August 2011 Fiji (N)  Samoa 3–0 Friendly Petoa (3)
16 27 August 2011 Stade Rivière Salée, Nouméa (N)  American Samoa 4–0 2011 Pacific Games Petoa (3), Tiute
17 30 August 2011 Stade Rivière Salée, Nouméa (N)  Vanuatu 1–5 2011 Pacific Games Ale
18 1 September 2011 Stade Rivière Salée, Nouméa (N)  New Caledonia 0–8 2011 Pacific Games
19 3 September 2011 Stade Rivière Salée, Nouméa (N)  Solomon Islands 1–6 2011 Pacific Games Lepaio
20 5 September 2011 Stade Rivière Salée, Nouméa (N)  Guam 1–1 2011 Pacific Games Stanley
21 2 December 2017 Port Vila Municipal Stadium, Port Vila (N)  Fiji 0–8 2017 Pacific Mini Games &&&&&&&&&&&01000.&&&&&01,000
22 5 December 2017 Korman Stadium, Port Vila (N)  New Caledonia 2–1 2017 Pacific Mini Games Ionatana, Petoa &&&&&&&&&&&03000.&&&&&03,000
23 9 December 2017 Port Vila Municipal Stadium, Port Vila (N)  Solomon Islands 0–6 2017 Pacific Mini Games &&&&&&&&&&&01500.&&&&&01,500
24 12 December 2017 Port Vila Municipal Stadium, Port Vila (N)  Vanuatu 0–10 2017 Pacific Mini Games &&&&&&&&&&&04000.&&&&&04,000
25 15 December 2017 Port Vila Municipal Stadium, Port Vila (N)  Tonga 4–3 2017 Pacific Mini Games Uaelasi, Fahina (o.g.), Petoa, Lotonu &&&&&&&&&&&01000.&&&&&01,000
26 31 May 2018 Coles Park, Haringey (N)  Székely Land 0–4 2018 CONIFA World Football Cup
27 2 June 2018 Coles Park, Haringey (N)  Padania 0–8 2018 CONIFA World Football Cup
28 3 June 2018 Coles Park, Haringey (N)  Matabeleland 1–3 2018 CONIFA World Football Cup Timuani
29 5 June 2018 Larges Lane, Bracknell (N)  United Koreans in Japan 0–5 2018 CONIFA World Football Cup
30 7 June 2018 Gander Green Lane, Sutton (N)  Tamil Eelam 3–4 2018 CONIFA World Football Cup Petoa (2), Vailine
31 9 June 2018 Bedfont Recreation Ground, Bedfont (N)  Chagos Islands 6–1 Friendly Tinilau (2), Uaelasi (2), Oride (o.g.), Vailine
32 8 July 2019 National Soccer Stadium, Apia (N)  Solomon Islands 0–13 2019 Pacific Games &&&&&&&&&&&&0300.&&&&&0300
33 10 July 2019 National Soccer Stadium, Apia (N)  Tahiti 0–7 2019 Pacific Games &&&&&&&&&&&&0150.&&&&&0150
34 12 July 2019 National Soccer Stadium, Apia (N)  American Samoa 1–1 2019 Pacific Games Petoa &&&&&&&&&&&&0100.&&&&&0100
35 15 July 2019 National Soccer Stadium, Apia (N)  Fiji 1–10 2019 Pacific Games Vailine &&&&&&&&&&&&0250.&&&&&0250
36 18 July 2019 National Soccer Stadium, Apia (N)  New Caledonia 0–11 2019 Pacific Games &&&&&&&&&&&&0100.&&&&&0100
Notes

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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