Tuvalu national football team facts for kids

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Tuvalu

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

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 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

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

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 (2011)

Coaches and Managers

No.	Name	Period
1	Malu, KokeaKokea Malu	1979
2	Jerks, TimTim Jerks	2003
3	Puapua, ToakaiToakai Puapua	2006–2010
4	de Haan, FoppeFoppe de Haan	2011
5	Looijen, LeenLeen Looijen	2013
6	Ituaso, TaukieiTaukiei Ituaso	2016–2018
7	Taupili, LopatiLopati Taupili	2018
8	Fusi, MatiMati Fusi	2019
9	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	Tofaga
13	1GK	Kioa Elisala		1	0	Oratia United

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

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

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

Player Records

Players in bold are still playing for Tuvalu.

Most Games Played

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
4	Sosene Vailine	11	3	2017–present
6	Jelly Selau	10	0	2007–2019
7	James Lepaio	9	1	2011–2019
7	Etimoni Timuani	9	1	2011–2019
9	Paenui Fagota	7	1	2003–2007
9	Matti Uaelesi	7	3	2017–present

Top Goal Scorers

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
1963	Did not enter
1966
1969
1971
1975
1979	Quarter-finals	8th	5	1	1	3	10	42
1983	Did not enter
1987
1991
1995
2003	Group stage	8th	4	1	0	3	3	11
2007		9th	4	0	1	3	2	22
2011		7th	5	1	1	3	7	20
2015	N/A – Tournament was U23
2019	Group stage	10th	5	0	1	4	2	42
2023	Group stage	9th	4	2	0	2	8	10
Total	Quarter-finals	6/16	27	5	4	18	32	147