Tahiti national football team

History

Tahiti played its first full match on 21 September 1952, at home against New Zealand, drawing 2–2. Seven days later, the two teams played again and New Zealand won 5–3. On 30 September, they played each other for a third time, and Tahiti gained its first victory, by 2–0. However, it is unknown whether this was a full international match.

In September 1953, Tahiti played three matches in New Caledonia against its national side, losing the first 5–0 and the later two 4–1. They then travelled to the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu) and beat its national side 4–2 twice. In 1969, touring World Champions England beat Tahiti 4–1 in an exhibition match. In 1989, under the leadership of Napoleon Spitz, the official federation was created.

Tahiti entered its first World Cup qualification with the aim of reaching the 1994 World Cup, held in the United States. They were placed in Group A alongside Australia and the Solomon Islands, and played their first match away to the Solomon Islands in Honiara on 11 July 1992. Eric Etaeta equalised for Tahiti to make it 1–1 in the 76th minute. On 11 September, Tahiti hosted Australia in Papeete and lost 3–0. The next fixture was again against Australia, and resulted in a 2–0 away defeat in Brisbane on 20 September. On 9 October, in Papeete, Tahiti defeated the Solomon Islands 4–2. Tahiti's first goal was scored as an 8th-minute penalty from Reynald Temarii, a politician and current president of the OFC. However, Tahiti finished second to Australia in the group and did not advance.

2012 OFC Nations Cup

In 2012, the new edition of the tournament occurred in the Solomon Islands with the host country, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Tahiti, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Samoa (winner of the qualifying tournament) playing the competition. Tahiti defeated New Caledonia in the final in Lawson Tama Stadium 1–0 with a goal by Steevy Chong Hue and became the first team other than Australia (no longer part of OFC) and New Zealand to be crowned Oceania champions.

2013 Confederations Cup

By winning the 2012 OFC Nations Cup, Tahiti qualified for the 2013 Confederations Cup, held in Brazil, for the first time.{{cite web|url= https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/newsid=2030236/index.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130317234034/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/newsid=2030236/index.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= 17 March 2013|title=Proud Tahiti No1 aims to enjoy Brazil challenge

In all, Tahiti conceded 24 goals and scored 1 to end with a goal differential of −23, the worst of any national team in any major competition. However, even with the poor record and heavy defeats, Tahiti's underdog qualities gathered significant respect from the people of Brazil, who always cheered for them in every match. Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque, and strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa – who scored four and three goals respectively against Tahiti – complimented the team's fair play.

2022 World Cup qualification

After two matches were cancelled due to COVID-19, the Tahitians returned to the qualifying tournament for the World Cup in Qatar. The Toa Aito lost to Solomon Islands and finished second in Group A. Solomon Islands led in the score in the 20th minute, the Tahitians equalised the score when Alvin Tehau scored in the 26th minute. Solomon Islands then made the difference on the return from the half on a lightning counterattack before taking the lead more widely at the end of the match 1–3.

Rivalries

A historical sporting rivalry exists between the two French Pacific overseas collectivities, Tahiti and New Caledonia. They compete regularly in regional and, since 2006, international competitions. In 2012, Tahiti led the number of titles won (1 OFC Nations Cup, 5 gold medals at the South Pacific Games, 2 at the South Pacific mini-games, against 6 gold at the South Pacific Games for New Caledonia). As of their last match in 2018, out of the 62 matches played since 1953, the New Caledonia has 28 wins against 25 for Tahiti and 9 draws.

Team image

Kit sponsorship

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2025

• Gope-Fenepej
• Waya

Coaching history

• Tahiti Freddy Vernaudon (1973)
• France Vietnam Richard Van Sam (1980)
• Tahiti François Ferez (1992)
• Tahiti Bernard Vahirua (1992)
• Italy Tahiti Umberto Mottini (1995–1996)
• Tahiti Gerard Kautai (1996)
• France Vietnam Richard Van Sam (1997)
• Tahiti Alain Rousseau (1998)
• Australia Leon Gardikiotis (1999–2000)
• France Tahiti Patrick Jacquemet (2001–2003)
• Tahiti Gerard Kautai (2004–2007)
• Tahiti Eddy Etaeta (2010–2015)
• France Ludovic Graugnard (2015–2018)
• Tahiti Naea Bennett (2018–2019)
• Tahiti Samuel Garcia (2019–2025)
• France Joël Fréchet (2026–present)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification game against New Caledonia on 21 March 2025.

Caps and goals correct as of 21 March 2025, after the match against New Caledonia.

• Vénus forward Eddy Kaspard was also called up. He died on 14 August 2025, aged 24.

Player records

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Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

OFC Nations Cup

Main article: Tahiti at the OFC Nations Cup

FIFA Confederations Cup

Polynesia Cup

Pacific Games

Head-to-head record

Main article: Tahiti national football team records and statistics

Honours

Continental

• OFC Nations Cup
  • Champions (1): 2012
  • Runners-up (3): 1973, 1980, 1996
  • Third place (2): 2002, 2024

Regional

• Pacific Games
  • Gold medals (5): 1966, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1995
  • Silver medals (2): 1969, 1987
  • Bronze medals (3): 1963, 1971, 2011
• Polynesia Cup
  • Champions (3): 1994, 1998, 2000

Summary

Notes

References

References

1. (2 October 2012). "Trophies in paradise". The Football Ramble.
2. (9 June 2013). "Tahiti ready for Confederations Cup".
3. (14 June 2013). "IN THE LAND OF GIANTS – Tahiti set for Confederations Cup adventure".
4. "Tahiti national football team".
5. "Tahiti International Matches".
6. "England's matches: unofficial 1946 onwards". England Football Online.
7. (10 June 2012). "Glorious Tahiti claim maiden Oceania crown". FIFA.
8. (17 June 2013). "Nigeria 6−1 Tahiti". BBC.
9. (20 June 2013). "Spain 10−0 Tahiti". BBC.
10. (23 June 2013). "Uruguay 8−0 Tahiti". BBC.
11. (1 July 2013). "FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 - Statistics - Teams - Top goals". FIFA.
12. (23 June 2013). "Técnico confirma 'carisma' do Taiti e cumprimenta jornalistas na despedida". [[universo Online.
13. (21 June 2013). "Nada de pancadaria: 'fair play' do Taiti em goleada arranca elogios da Fúria". [[Rede Globo.
14. (24 March 2022). "Qatar 2022 : Tahiti s'incline 3-1 face à Salomon". TNTV.
15. [https://x.com/windowintlpod/status/1901585868277661955/photo/1 La liste officielle]
16. "Tahiti".