Tahiti national football team
Nickname(s) | Toa Aito (Les guerriers de fer; Iron Warriors) | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | Tahitian Football Federation | ||
Confederation | OFC (Oceania) | ||
Head coach | Samuel Garcia[1] | ||
Captain | Teaonui Tehau | ||
Most caps | Teaonui Tehau (48) | ||
Top scorer | Teaonui Tehau (31) | ||
Home stadium | Stade Pater Te Hono Nui | ||
FIFA code | TAH | ||
| |||
FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 153 6 (28 November 2024)[2] | ||
Highest | 111 (August 2002) | ||
Lowest | 196 (April–May 2016) | ||
First international | |||
French Polynesia 2–2 New Zealand (Papeete, Tahiti; 21 September 1952) | |||
Biggest win | |||
Tahiti 30–0 Cook Islands (Papeete, Tahiti; 2 September 1971) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
New Zealand 10–0 Tahiti (Adelaide, Australia; 4 June 2004) Spain 10–0 Tahiti (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 20 June 2013) | |||
OFC Nations Cup | |||
Appearances | 10 (first in 1973) | ||
Best result | Champions (2012) | ||
Coupe de l'Outre-Mer | |||
Appearances | 2 (first in 2010) | ||
Best result | Sixth place (2012) | ||
Confederations Cup | |||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2013) | ||
Best result | Group stage (2013) |
The Tahiti men's national football team (French: Équipe de football de Tahiti, Tahitian: Te pŭpŭ tu'e popo a te fenua Tahiti) represents French Polynesia[4][5][6][7] and is controlled by the Fédération Tahitienne de Football. The team consists of a selection of players from French Polynesia, not just Tahiti, and has competed in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) since 1990.
Tahiti is traditionally one of the stronger footballing nations of the Pacific Islands, with the second-best record at the football section of the South Pacific Games, with five victories. They were runners-up in the first three instalments of the Nations Cup (1973, 1980 and 1996). The nation went through a period of less success, but showed promise when it qualified for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. This success was followed up with the title of 2012 OFC Nations Cup, becoming the first team other than Australia and New Zealand to win the competition. Tahiti thus qualified to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup held in Brazil.
History
[edit]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.[8]
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.[9] 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
[edit]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.[10]
2013 Confederations Cup
[edit]By winning the 2012 OFC Nations Cup, Tahiti qualified for the 2013 Confederations Cup, held in Brazil, for the first time.[11] Tahiti is the first – and, following the tournament's abolition, only – team which participated in the Confederations Cup but has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup. On 17 June 2013, Tahiti lost 1–6 to Nigeria in the 2013 Confederations Cup in Belo Horizonte, with Jonathan Tehau scoring the goal for Tahiti in the second half with a header from a corner; Tahiti fans still rejoiced in the prospect of scoring a goal in an international tournament.[12] On 20 June, Tahiti lost 10–0 against Spain to equal their largest ever lost against New Zealand nine years earlier.[13] On 23 June 2013, Tahiti was beaten 8–0 by Uruguay.[14]
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.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17]
After two matches canceled 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 equalized 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.[18]
Rivalries
[edit]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 Oceania 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.[19]
Team image
[edit]Kit sponsorship
[edit]Kit lier | Period |
---|---|
Adidas | 2000–2003 |
Lotto | 2004–2012 |
Nike | 2013–2021 |
Macron | 2022–2023 |
Puma | 2024–present |
Results and fixtures
[edit]The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2024
[edit]16 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup GS | Tahiti | 2–0 | Samoa | Suva, Fiji |
Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium |
19 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup GS | Papua New Guinea | 1–1 | Tahiti | Suva, Fiji |
Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium |
22 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup GS | Fiji | 1–0 | Tahiti | Suva, Fiji |
Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium |
27 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup SF | New Zealand | 5–0 | Tahiti | Port Vila, Vanuatu |
Report | Stadium: Freshwater Stadium |
30 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup 3rd | Tahiti | 2–1 | Fiji | Port Vila, Vanuatu |
Stadium: Freshwater Stadium |
11 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers R2 | New Zealand | 3–0 | Tahiti | Port Vila, Vanuatu |
13:00 UTC+11 | Report | Stadium: Freshwater Stadium Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Médéric Lacour (New Caledonia) |
15 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers R2 | Samoa | 0–3 | Tahiti | Hamilton, New Zealand |
16:00 UTC+13 | Report | Stadium: Waikato Stadium Attendance: 638 Referee: Kavitesh Behari (Fiji) |
18 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers R2 | Tahiti | 2–0 | Vanuatu | Auckland, New Zealand |
16:00 UTC+13 |
|
Report | Stadium: Mount Smart Stadium Attendance: 395 Referee: Médéric Lacour (New Caledonia) |
2025
[edit]21 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers R3 | New Caledonia | – | Tahiti | Wellington, New Zealand |
--:-- UTC+12 | Stadium: Sky Stadium |
Coaching history
[edit]- Freddy Vernaudon (1973)
- Richard Vansam (1980)
- François Ferez (1992)
- Bernard Vahirua (1992)
- Umberto Mottini (1995–1996)
- Gerard Kautai (1996)
- Richard Vansam (1997)
- Alain Rousseau (1998)
- Leon Gardikiotis (1999–2000)
- Patrick Jacquemet (2001–2003)
- Gerard Kautai (2004–2007)
- Eddy Etaeta (2010–2015)
- Ludovic Graugnard (2015–2018)
- Naea Bennett (2018–2019)
- Samuel Garcia (2019–present)
Players
[edit]Current squad
[edit]The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification game against Vanuatu on 18 November 2024.[20]
Caps and goals correct as of 18 November 2024, after the match against Vanuatu.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | GK | Tevaearai Tamatai | 15 January 2001 | 0 | 0 | Vénus |
16 | GK | Teave Teamotuaitau | 17 April 1992 | 20 | 0 | Tefana |
23 | GK | François Decoret | 10 March 1999 | 4 | 0 | Pirae |
3 | DF | Matatia Paama | 3 October 1992 | 21 | 1 | Pirae |
5 | DF | François Hapipi | 10 March 1999 | 9 | 0 | Tefana |
7 | DF | Eddy Kaspard | 27 May 2001 | 14 | 4 | Tefana |
12 | DF | Mauri Heitaa | 31 July 1999 | 9 | 0 | Vénus |
17 | DF | Téva Lossec | 3 December 2002 | 12 | 1 | Campbell Fighting Camels |
19 | DF | Kévin Barbe | 2 September 1997 | 15 | 1 | Vénus |
20 | DF | Victor Snow | 27 October 1991 | 2 | 0 | Tefana |
4 | MF | Vahia Tetuaroa | 5 January 2000 | 0 | 0 | Unknown |
6 | MF | Louis Gitton | 2 April 2002 | 7 | 1 | Tefana |
8 | MF | Roonui Tehau | 15 December 1999 | 11 | 1 | Vénus |
11 | MF | Manuarii Shan | 23 February 2004 | 11 | 0 | Vénus |
13 | MF | Frank Papaura | 6 April 2005 | 13 | 0 | Pueu |
14 | MF | Alvin Tehau | 10 April 1989 | 30 | 9 | Pirae |
9 | FW | Benoît Mathon | 5 April 1989 | 3 | 2 | Union Saint-Jean |
10 | FW | Teaonui Tehau | 1 September 1992 | 48 | 31 | Vénus |
18 | FW | Manoa Flores | 0 | 0 | Vénus | |
21 | FW | Matéo Degrumelle | 22 August 2003 | 11 | 3 | Quevilly-Rouen |
Recent call-ups
[edit]The following players have been called up to the Tahiti squad within the last twelve months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Rautea Vongue | 25 January 2000 | 0 | 0 | Unknown | v. New Zealand, 11 October 2024 |
DF | Pothin Poma | 13 February 1997 | 4 | 0 | Dragon | v. New Zealand, 11 October 2024 |
DF | Rainui Aroita | 25 January 1994 | 4 | 0 | Tamarii Faa'a | 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup |
DF | Haumau Tanetoa | 18 November 2004 | 3 | 0 | Dragon | 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup |
MF | Tauhiti Keck | 1 August 1994 | 18 | 6 | Vénus | v. New Zealand, 11 October 2024 |
MF | Taumihau Tiatia | 25 July 1991 | 12 | 0 | Pirae | v. New Zealand, 11 October 2024 |
MF | Terai Bremond | 16 May 2001 | 8 | 0 | Vénus | 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup |
FW | Roonui Tinirauarii | 14 March 1997 | 10 | 5 | Dragon | 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup |
FW | Ariiura Labaste | 26 July 2002 | 5 | 0 | Pirae | 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup |
Player records
[edit]- As of 15 November 2024[21]
- Players in bold are still active with Tahiti.
Most appearances
[edit]Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Teaonui Tehau | 48 | 31 | 2011–present |
2 | Angelo Tchen | 34 | 1 | 2001–2018 |
3 | Heimano Bourebare | 30 | 1 | 2010–present |
4 | Alvin Tehau | 29 | 9 | 2010–present |
5 | Steevy Chong Hue | 28 | 8 | 2010–2016 |
Xavier Samin | 28 | 0 | 2001–2013 | |
7 | Jonathan Tehau | 25 | 5 | 2011–2017 |
Vincent Simon | 25 | 1 | 2004–2016 | |
9 | Stanley Atani | 24 | 6 | 2010–2019 |
10 | Felix Tagawa | 22 | 14 | 2000–2004 |
Top goalscorers
[edit]Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Teaonui Tehau | 31 | 48 | 0.65 | 2011–present |
2 | Felix Tagawa | 14 | 22 | 0.64 | 2000–2004 |
3 | Naea Bennett | 12 | 16 | 0.75 | 1996–2010 |
4 | Alvin Tehau | 9 | 29 | 0.31 | 2010–present |
5 | Steevy Chong Hue | 8 | 28 | 0.29 | 2010–2016 |
6 | Jean-Loup Rousseau | 7 | 15 | 0.47 | 1992–2000 |
Lorenzo Tehau | 7 | 20 | 0.35 | 2010–2017 | |
8 | Tauhiti Keck | 6 | 18 | 0.33 | 2011–present |
Stanley Atani | 6 | 24 | 0.25 | 2010–2019 | |
10 | Roonui Tinirauarii | 5 | 10 | 0.5 | 2022–present |
Tamatoa Tetauira | 5 | 11 | 0.45 | 2016–2019 | |
Hiro Poroiae | 5 | 12 | 0.42 | 2007–2013 | |
Jonathan Tehau | 5 | 25 | 0.2 | 2011–2017 |
Competitive record
[edit]FIFA World Cup
[edit]FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Host | Result | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1930 to 1954 | Did not exist | Did not exist | ||||||||||||||
1958 to 1990 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | ||||||||||||||
1994 | United States | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | ||||||||
1998 | France | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 12 | |||||||||
2002 | South Korea Japan |
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 6 | |||||||||
2006 | Germany | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 25 | |||||||||
2010 | South Africa | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |||||||||
2014 | Brazil | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 20 | 17 | |||||||||
2018 | Russia | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 7 | |||||||||
2022 | Qatar | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||
2026 | Canada Mexico United States |
To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||
2030 | Morocco Portugal Spain | |||||||||||||||
2034 | Saudi Arabia | |||||||||||||||
Total | 0/8 | 43 | 15 | 8 | 20 | 65 | 85 |
FIFA Confederations Cup
[edit]FIFA Confederations Cup record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
1992 to 1995 | No OFC representative invited | |||||||
1997 to 2009 | Did not qualify | |||||||
2013 | Group stage | 8th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 24 |
2017 | Did not qualify | |||||||
Total | Group stage | 1/10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 24 |
OFC Nations Cup
[edit]Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1973 | Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 4 | Squad | No qualification | ||||||
1980 | Runners-up | 2nd | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 9 | — | |||||||
1996 | Runners-up | 2nd | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 12 | Squad | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
1998 | Fourth place | 4th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 10 | Squad | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 | |
2000 | Group stage | 5th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | Squad | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 2 | |
2002 | Third place | 3rd | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 9 | Squad | Qualified automatically | ||||||
2004 | Group stage | 5th | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 24 | Squad | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | |
2008 | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |||||||||
2012 | Champions | 1st | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 5 | Squad | Qualified automatically | ||||||
2016 | Group stage | 5th | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 3 | Squad | |||||||
2024 | Third place | 3rd | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | Squad | |||||||
Total | 1 Title | 10/11 | 42 | 20 | 6 | 16 | 85 | 89 | — | 19 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 74 | 11 |
Pacific Games[edit]
|
Polynesia Cup[edit]
|
Head-to-head record
[edit]Honours
[edit]Continental
[edit]Regional
[edit]Historical kits
[edit]
1984 Home
|
1987 Home
|
1990 Home
|
2000 Home
|
2002 Home
|
2004 Home
|
2007 Home
|
2011 Home
|
2011 Away
|
2012 Home
|
2012 Home
|
2012 Away
|
2013 Home
|
2013 Away
|
2016 Home
|
2016 Away
|
2022 Home
|
2022 Away
|
Sources:[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Sélection de Tahiti: Samuel Garcia est le nouvel entreineur". Fedération Tahitienne de Football. FTF. 21 May 2018. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
- ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
- ^ "Trophies in paradise". The Football Ramble. 2 October 2012. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
- ^ "Tahiti ready for Confederations Cup". The Scotsman. 9 June 2013. Archived from the original on 3 February 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
- ^ "IN THE LAND OF GIANTS – Tahiti set for Confederations Cup adventure". Football Republik. 14 June 2013. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
- ^ "Tahiti national football team". Road To Brazil. Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
- ^ "Tahiti International Matches". Rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
- ^ "England's matches: unofficial 1946 onwards". England Football Online. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ "Glorious Tahiti claim maiden Oceania crown". FIFA.com. FIFA. 10 June 2012. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
- ^ "Proud Tahiti No1 aims to enjoy Brazil challenge". FIFA.com. FIFA. 14 March 2013. Archived from the original on 17 March 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
- ^ "Nigeria 6−1 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 June 2013. Archived from the original on 23 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ "Spain 10−0 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 20 June 2013. Archived from the original on 23 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ "Uruguay 8−0 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 23 June 2013. Archived from the original on 23 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ "FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 - Statistics - Teams - Top goals". FIFA.com. FIFA. 1 July 2013. Archived from the original on 22 September 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^ "Técnico confirma 'carisma' do Taiti e cumprimenta jornalistas na despedida". UOL Esporte (in Portuguese). 23 June 2013. Archived from the original on 25 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ "Nada de pancadaria: 'fair play' do Taiti em goleada arranca elogios da Fúria". Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 21 June 2013. Archived from the original on 24 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ "Qatar 2022 : Tahiti s'incline 3-1 face à Salomon". TNTV News. TNTV. 24 March 2022. Archived from the original on 24 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ "New Caledonia". Footballdatabase.eu. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- ^ La liste officielle
- ^ "Tahiti". National Football Teams.
- ^ "FOOTBALL IN TAHITI". 2023.
- ^ "2000". YouTube. 24 June 2016.
- ^ "2002". 11 July 2002.
- ^ "2004". 31 May 2004.
- ^ "2007". YouTube. 19 April 2017.
- ^ "2012 (OFC Nations Cup edition)". YouTube. June 2012.
- ^ "2012".
- ^ "2012". 7 September 2012.
- ^ "2022 Home".
- ^ "2022 Away".
External links
[edit]- Official Web Site
- Tahiti at OFC
- Tahiti at FIFA