Tuvalu national football team

Memberships

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 Zürich, 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.

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.

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), a 2013 feature documentary directed by Jeroen van den Kroonenberg.

Competition 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; which is still 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 11–0. 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.

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

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.

2023 Pacific Games

In November 2023 Tuvalu were scheduled to participate in the 2023 Pacific Games taking place in the Solomon Islands. However, due to arriving late for their opening game against Papua New Guinea, their opponents were awarded a 3-0 walkover win. A subsequent 0-6 loss to Vanuatu meant that Tuvalu finished bottom of their group and faced a playoff game against Tonga which they won 4-0. They played their last game of the tournament, the 9th Place Play off, against the Northern Mariana Islands which they won 4-1.

Tuvaluan footballers in Australia and New Zealand

Tulimanu Lisati has played for Stormbirds SC, in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia.

Many Tuvaluan footballers have played for clubs in New Zealand:

• Vaisua Liva and Alopua Petoa joined Waitakere City in 2012. Meneua Fakasega and Jerome Funafuti also played for Waitakere City.
• Maalosi Alefaio and Sepetaio Nokisi have played for Te Atatu.
• Jason Alama has played for West Coast Rangers.
• Falaima Mokeni has played for North Wellington.
• Yvan Sapele has played for Wainuiomata.

Historical kits

Sources:

Kit sponsorship

Coach/manager history

Coaching team at the 2023 Pacific Games: Lisati Tulimanu (Assistant Coach), Joshua Tapasei (Team Manager), Etimoni Timuani (Trainer).

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2023 Pacific Games.

Caps and goals updated as of 30 November 2023 after the game against Northern Mariana Islands.

Player records

|

|

|

|

Competitive record

OFC Nations Cup

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

Pacific Games

Main article: Tuvalu at the Pacific Games

Pacific Mini Games

ConIFA World Football Cup

Head-to-head record

Up to matches played on 30 November 2023.

Complete international results

Tuvalu's score is shown first

Notes

References

References

1. Frew, Craig. (9 December 2013). "Tuvalu still dreams of joining Fifa's world football family". BBC Scotland.
2. "Tuvalu eye place in football family". FIFA.
3. (20 December 2013). "Sinking Tuvalu get refused membership of Fifa". Fairfax Media New Zealand Limited.
4. (18 December 2013). "OFC hits back at Tuvalu over FIFA bid".
5. (10 December 2013). "Dutch Support Tuvalu Foundation − Football on Tuvalu". Stichting Dutch Support Tuvalu's-Hertogenbosch.
6. "Tuvalu". CONIFA.
7. "Tuvalu to replace Kiribati at the 2018 Paddy Power World Football Cup". CONIFA.
8. Wheelock, Noah. (9 June 2018). "WFC 2018 Recap – Day 6 (June 9)".
9. Bisogno, Dominic José. (2020-06-03). "What Tuvalu and Kiribati's growing inclusion could mean for both nations and the OFC".
10. "Tuvalu". CONIFA.
11. "Tuvalu football project – Dutch Support Tuvalu Foundation (in Dutch, English, French and Spanish)".
12. "The chicken and the egg in Tuvalu football".
13. (1979). "International tournaments – South Pacific Games 1979 (Fiji)". Tuvalu Football.
14. (26 August 2011). "De Haan: We will be a surprise package". [[Oceania Football Confederation]].
15. (2003). "International – Friendly matches (2003)". Tuvalu Football.
16. (2003). "International tournaments – South Pacific Games 2003 (Fiji)". Tuvalu Football.
17. (2003). "South Pacific Games 2003 (Fiji)". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
18. (September 2009). "Tuvalu does not sink". Periodismo de fútbol internacional.
19. (2007). "International tournaments – South Pacific Games 2007 (Samoa)". Tuvalu Football.
20. (26 August 2007). "Race starts with goals galore". [[FIFA]].
21. (28 August 2007). "Hosts' derby joy on day two". [[FIFA]].
22. (29 August 2007). "Super sub Sekifu leaves Tahiti red-faced". Football Federation of American Samoa.
23. (30 August 2007). "Semi-final line-up takes shape". [[FIFA]].
24. (2 September 2007). "Fiji, Solomons seize semi-final slots". [[FIFA]].
25. (25 May 2011). "Foppe de Haan gaat nationaal team van Tuvalu trainen". [[NRC Handelsblad]].
26. (25 January 2015). "Interview with Alopua Petoa". Oceania No FIFA.
27. (22 August 2011). "De Haan start sterk als bondscoach van Tuvalu". [[Voetbal International]].
28. (2011). "International – Friendly matches (2011)". Tuvalu Football.
29. (2011). "International tournaments – South Pacific Games 2011 (New Caledonia)". Tuvalu Football.
30. (2011). "Pacific Games NC2011 – Football". Sporting Pulse.
31. (27 August 2011). "Tuvalu have defeated American Samoa 4–0 in their men's Group A match at Rivière Salée in Noumea on day one of the XIV Pacific Games". [[Oceania Football Confederation]].
32. (30 August 2011). "Vanuatu have beaten Tuvalu 5–1 in their men's Group A match at Riviere Salée in Nouméa at the XIV Pacific Games". [[Oceania Football Confederation]].
33. (1 September 2011). "New Caledonia have defeated Tuvalu 8–0 in their men's Group A match at Riviere Salée in Nouméa at the XIV Pacific Games". [[Oceania Football Confederation]].
34. (3 September 2011). "Solomon Islands have beaten Tuvalu in their men's Group A match at Rivière Salée in Nouméa at the XIV Pacific Games". [[Oceania Football Confederation]].
35. (4 September 2011). "Guam and Tuvalu have drawn 1–1 in their men's Group A match at Rivière Salée in Nouméa at the XIV Pacific Games". [[Oceania Football Confederation]].
36. link. (12 October 2012  – De Telegraaf {{in lang). nl
37. Kenmare, Jack. (23 November 2023). "Papua New Guinea cruelly knocked out of international tournament after team didn't arrive in time for game".
38. "2023 Pacific Games - Solomon Islands".
39. (12 March 2013). "Vaisua Liva and Alopua Petoa start their internship at Waitakere City FC".
40. "Football - Tuvalu". oceaniafootball.
41. (16 October 2011). "Tuvalu National Football Team / Blogspot".
42. "Official kit supplier to the Tuvalu Island FA". Stingz Official.
43. "1979".
44. "2003".
45. "2007".
46. "2007".
47. "Antigo(a) Tuvalu camisas de futebol".
48. @StingzProwear. (2 September 2019). "Good news - We are officially working with global leaders in vintage and exotic football kits. Bad news - Our Tuvalu home football shirts sold out in less than two weeks".
49. @StingzProwear. (21 August 2019). "The wait is over.. In stock tomorrow @classicshirts".
50. "Match report".
51. "Tuvalu".
52. "OFC Statutes, Article 10, Section 2b". OFC.
53. "World Football Elo Ratings: Tuvalu". World Football Elo Ratings.
54. Courtney, Barrie. (31 August 2012). "Tuvalu - List of International Matches". [[RSSSF]].
55. (1 April 2015). "South Pacific Games 1979 (Fiji)". [[RSSSF]].
56. Zlotkowski, Andre. (14 July 2003). "South Pacific Games 2003 (Fiji) - Tournament Details". [[RSSSF]].
57. Priadko, Aleks. (20 August 2015). "South Pacific Games 2007 (Samoa)". [[RSSSF]].
58. (18 January 2018). "Pacific Games 2011 (New Caledonia)". [[RSSSF]].
59. Di Maggio, Roberto. (18 January 2018). "Pacific Mini Games 2017 (Vanuatu)". [[RSSSF]].
60. (20 September 2018). "ConIFA World Football Cup 2018". [[RSSSF]].
61. (5 June 2018). "Tuvalu 0-5 United Koreans in Japan". CONIFA.
62. (7 June 2018). "Tamil Eelam 4-3 Tuvalu". CONIFA.
63. (9 June 2018). "Tuvalu 6-1 Chagos Islands". CONIFA.
64. Di Maggio, Roberto. (21 August 2019). "Pacific Games 2019 (Samoa)". [[RSSSF]].
65. (17 November 2023). "Football Schedule change".
66. (16 November 2023). "Football Match Forfeited".
67. [https://sol2023.gems.pro/gems_local/Temp/ScoreSheet_c99d6814-6785-4549-b722-da39bc3dc74a_20231120075433690.pdf "PDF document - 2023 Pacific Games - Men's Football - Group B; Papua New Guinea - Tuvalu; Match report; 3:0 (0:0)"] Retrieved on 20 November 2023
68. [https://sol2023.gems.pro/gems_local/Temp/ScoreSheet_b3830d12-880f-4c77-a335-5b34019dfcb5_20231120065402143.pdf "PDF document - 2023 Pacific Games - Men's Football - Group B; Tuvalu - Vanuatu; Match report; 0:6 (0:3)"] Retrieved on 20 November 2023
69. [https://sol2023.gems.pro/gems_local/Temp/ScoreSheet_89530e03-44ad-4a0d-ba98-c914bfddf387_20231127071237617.pdf "PDF document - 2023 Pacific Games - Men's Football - 9th–12th placement; Tonga - Tuvalu; Match report; 0:4 (0:2)"] Retrieved on 27 November 2023
70. [https://sol2023.gems.pro/gems_local/Temp/ScoreSheet_34a9aa9e-a3d9-4447-a43b-ec35fe3d40f7_20231130072346150.pdf "PDF document - 2023 Pacific Games - Men's Football - 9th–12th placement; Northern Mariana Islands - Tuvalu; Match report; 1:4 (0:4)"] Retrieved on 30 November 2023