Vanuatu national football team


The Vanuatu men's national football team represents Vanuatu in men's international football competitions. The team is governed by the Vanuatu Football Federation, which is currently a member of FIFA and the Oceania Football Confederation.
WWW vff.vu

History

Early years (1951–2022)

It was known as the New Hebrides until the New Hebrides became Republic of Vanuatu in 1980. It finished fourth in the OFC Nations Cup in 1973, 2000, and 2002. In the 2004 Oceania Nations Cup, Vanuatu beat New Zealand 4–2, preventing the regional powerhouse from making the final and, consequently, the running for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Vanuatu caused another shock in the 2007 South Pacific Games by knocking out the [Solomon Islands national Association football|football team|Solomon Islands] for bronze medal and also enable to enter the second stage of qualification for the OFC Nations Cup and consequently a chance with a playoff for the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa. The last time they had won against Solomon Islands was back in 1998 and had since been on the receiving side of many losses save for one draw against them. In July 2008, Vanuatu faced two national teams from the Solomon Islands during the inaugural edition of the Wantok Cup. Vanuatu lost 1–2 to the Solomons' team A, but defeated their team B by two goals to one.

Recognition of the team efforts (2023–''present'')

In 2023, Vanuatu was invited for the 2023 Intercontinental Cup tournament held in India which is the team first tournament outside Oceania. In the first match on 9 June 2023, they would face Lebanon but suffered a 3–1 defeat. In the next match, Vanuatu conceded a late goal losing to host India on a narrow 1–0 lost. On 15 June 2023, Vanuatu found themselves with a bright smiles as they would go on to win Mongolia 1–0 thus earning them the 3 points and finishing in third place.

FIFA Series tournament

In 2024, FIFA invited Vanuatu to the 2024 FIFA Series tournament held from 21 to 26 March 2024 in Jeddah where they would face Guinea and Brunei. On 21 March, Vanuatu faced their first ever opponent from the Africa continent, Guinea in a 6–0 lost.

First Oceanian final

Vanuatu progressed to the final of the OFC Nations Cup for the first time in 2024 and finished as runners-up of the tournament on 30 June 2024 after losing to New Zealand with a 3–0 scoreline.
Vanuatu then won the 2025 MSG Prime Minister's Cup.

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.

Coaching staff

Coaching history

New Hebrides
  • P. Reichert
Vanuatu

Players

Current squad

The following 23 players were called up for the PacificAus Sports Football Series in September 2024.
''Caps and goals are correct as of 30 June 2024, after the match against New Zealand.''

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the national squad in the last twelve months.

Player records

Most appearances

RankNameCapsGoalsCareer
1Kensi Tangis3892011–present
2Richard Iwai34202000–2011
3Etienne Mermer33151998–2008
4Brian Kaltak3252011–present
5Bong Kalo3142015–present
6Alex Saniel3032017–present
6Fedy Vava3022000–2012
8John Alick2922017–present
8Lexa Bibi2922000–2004
8Seimata Chilia2992000–2011

Top goalscorers

RankNameGoalsCapsRatioCareer
1Richard Iwai20342000–2011
2Tony Kaltack15162016–2019
2Etienne Mermer15331998–2008
4Seule Soromon10102007–2011
4Jean Kaltack10112011–present
4Azariah Soromon10242017–present
7Seimata Chilia9292000–2011
7Kensi Tangis9382011–present
9Bill Nicholls682015–2019
9Mitch Cooper6102019–present
9François Sakama6122007–2015
9Robert Tasso6122011–2016

Head-to-head record

''Up to matches played on 15 November 2024.''

Honours

Continental

OFC Nations Cup

Regional

Pacific Games

Historical kits










Sources: