Vanuatu

Association	Vanuatu Football Federation
Confederation	OFC (Oceania)
Head coach	Emerson Alcântara
Captain	Kensi Tangis
Most caps	Richard Iwai (34)
Top scorer	Richard Iwai (20)[1]
Home stadium	Port Vila Municipal Stadium
FIFA code	VAN
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	172 2 (4 April 2024)[2]
Highest	131 (October 2007)
Lowest	201 (October–November 2015)
First international
New Zealand 9–0 New Hebrides  (Nouméa, New Caledonia; 4 October 1951)[3]
Biggest win
Kiribati 0–18 Vanuatu  (Lautoka, Fiji; 7 July 2003)
Biggest defeat
New Zealand 9–0 New Hebrides  (Nouméa, New Caledonia; 4 October 1951)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances	9 (first in 1973)
Best result	Fourth place (1973, 2000, 2002, 2008)

The Vanuatu men's national football team (French: équipe du Vanuatu de football) represents Vanuatu in international football, and is controlled by the Vanuatu Football Federation.^[5][6]

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 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 (CAF) and Brunei (AFC). On 21 March, Vanuatu faced their first ever opponent from the Africa continent, Guinea in a 6–0 lost.

Team image

Kit sponsorship

Kit provider[7]	Period
Lotto	2004–2011
Nike	2012
Veto	2013–2016
Pasifika	2017
Gorilla Sports	2018–2020
KPI Sports	2020–2022
Macron	2022–2023
Lotto	2022–present

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.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

Lebanon  v  Vanuatu

9 June Intercontinental Cup	Lebanon	3–1	Vanuatu	Bhubaneswar, India
16:30 UTC+5:30	Matar 58' Kourani 71' Darwiche 85'	Report	Wohale 61'	Stadium: Kalinga Stadium Referee: Harish Kundu (India)

Vanuatu  v  India

12 June Intercontinental Cup	Vanuatu	0–1	India	Bhubaneswar, India
19:30 UTC+5:30		Report	Chettri 81'	Stadium: Kalinga Stadium Referee: Virendha Rai (Bhutan)

Vanuatu  v  Mongolia

15 June Intercontinental Cup	Vanuatu	1–0	Mongolia	Bhubaneswar, India
14:30 UTC+5:30	Gantuyaa 46' (o.g.)	Report		Stadium: Kalinga Stadium Referee: Songkran Bunmeekiart (Thailand)

New Caledonia  v  Vanuatu

8 October 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup	New Caledonia	4–0	Vanuatu	Nouméa, New Caledonia
17:00 UTC+11:00				Stadium: Stade Numa-Daly Magenta

Solomon Islands  v  Vanuatu

11 October 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup	Solomon Islands	1–0	Vanuatu	Koné, New Caledonia
13:00 UTC+11:00				Stadium: Stade Yoshida

Papua New Guinea  v  Vanuatu

14 October 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup	Papua New Guinea	0–1	Vanuatu	Nouméa, New Caledonia
14:00 UTC+11:00				Stadium: Stade Numa-Daly Magenta

Tuvalu  v  Vanuatu

20 November 2023 Pacific Games	Tuvalu	0–6	Vanuatu	Honiara, Solomon Islands
12:00		Report	T. Kalotang 6', 53' Tenene 11', 70' Alefaio 35' (o.g.) Moses 71'	Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium Referee: Shama Maemae (Solomon Islands)

Vanuatu  v  Papua New Guinea

23 November 2023 Pacific Games	Vanuatu	1−1	Papua New Guinea	Honiara, Solomon Islands
12:00	Soromon 52'	Report	Kepo 45+7'	Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)

New Caledonia  v  Vanuatu

28 November 2023 Pacific Games	New Caledonia	1−0	Vanuatu	Honiara, Solomon Islands
12:00	Xowi 45+4'	Report		Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium Referee: CK Kawana-Vaugh (New Zealand)

Vanuatu  v  Fiji

1 December 2023 Pacific Games	Vanuatu	2−4	Fiji	Honiara, Solomon Islands
15:00	Soromon 28', 45+3'	Report	Dunn 22', 55' Begg 73' Nand 90+2'	Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium Referee: Ben Aukwai (Solomon Islands)

2024

Guinea  v  Vanuatu

21 March 2024 FIFA Series	Guinea	6−0	Vanuatu	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
22:00 UTC+3	Sylla 9' (pen.), 63' Diawara 10' O. Camara 18' Kané 39' (pen.), 58'	Report		Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Referee: Ahmed Al Ali (Jordan)

Vanuatu  v  Brunei

26 March 2024 FIFA Series	Vanuatu	2–3	Brunei	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
22:00 UTC+3	Kalo 38' Iawak 70'	Report	Syafiq Safiuddin 52' Nurikhwan 72' Hakeme 90+3'	Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Reserve Stadium

Solomon Islands  v  Vanuatu

15 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup	Solomon Islands	v	Vanuatu	Port Vila, Vanuatu
				Stadium: Freshwater Stadium

Vanuatu  v  New Caledonia

18 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup	Vanuatu	v	New Caledonia	Port Vila, Vanuatu
				Stadium: Freshwater Stadium

Vanuatu  v  New Zealand

21 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup	Vanuatu	v	New Zealand	Port Vila, Vanuatu
				Stadium: Freshwater Stadium

Coaching staff

Position
Head coach	Emerson Alcantara
Assistant coach	George Amos
Assistant coach	François Sakama
Team Manager	Peter Takaro
Goalkeeper coach	Jimmy Obed
Assistant Goalkeeper coach	Jean Yves Galinie
Physio	Albert Lata

Coaching history

New Hebrides

• P. Reichert (1973–1987)

Vanuatu

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2024 FIFA Series matches against Guinea and Brunei on 21 and 26 March 2024.^[8]

Caps and goals are correct as of 14 October 2023, after the match against Papua New Guinea.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Joshua Willie	(2000-06-13) June 13, 2000 (age 23)	1	0	ABM Galaxy
22	1GK	James Iamar	(1997-01-25) January 25, 1997 (age 27)	0	0	Tafea
	1GK	Dgen Leo	(2000-08-06) August 6, 2000 (age 23)	0	0	Ruerue
4	2DF	Michel Coulon	(1995-12-03) 3 December 1995 (age 28)	15	1	Yatel
5	2DF	Timothy Boulet	(1998-11-29) November 29, 1998 (age 25)	9	0	Auckland City
15	2DF	Lency Philip	(1997-06-08) 8 June 1997 (age 26)	7	0	ABM Galaxy
	2DF	Samuel Kaloros	(1989-09-16) 16 September 1989 (age 34)	3	0	Ifira Black Bird
	2DF	Jared Clark	(1998-01-21) 21 January 1998 (age 26)	1	0	Croydon
	2DF	Kerry Iawak	(1996-03-16) 16 March 1996 (age 28)	0	0	Ifira Black Bird
	2DF	Joseph Kalotiti		0	0
8	3MF	John Alick	(1991-04-25) 25 April 1991 (age 32)	16	0	Solomon Warriors
	3MF	Jayson Timatua	(1998-12-27) 27 December 1998 (age 25)	3	0	Shepherds United
6	3MF	Claude Aru	(1997-04-25) 25 April 1997 (age 26)	7	1	North Efate United
12	3MF	John Wohale	(1997-07-09) 9 July 1997 (age 26)	9	0	Ifira Black Bird
14	3MF	Joe Moses	(2002-05-22) 22 May 2002 (age 21)	3	0	ABM Galaxy
	3MF	Bong Kalo	(1997-01-18) 18 January 1997 (age 27)	19	2	ABM Galaxy
15	3MF	Barry Mansale	(1995-11-01) 1 November 1995 (age 28)	10	1	ABM Galaxy
	3MF	Jonathan Spokeyjack	(1998-11-13) 13 November 1998 (age 25)	9	1	Ifira Black Bird
	3MF	Alick Worworbu	(1997-08-27) 27 August 1997 (age 26)	0	0	Yatel
	4FW	Kensi Tangis	(1991-12-19) 19 December 1991 (age 32)	26	4	ABM Galaxy
17	4FW	Godine Tenene	(1998-05-03) 3 May 1998 (age 25)	8	0	Ifira Black Bird
	4FW	Maliwan Thomas	(2005-01-26) 26 January 2005 (age 19)	0	0	Tafea
	4FW	Keshly Joseph		0	0

Recent call-ups

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Anthony Taiwia	(1994-09-04) 4 September 1994 (age 29)	0	0	Ifira Black Bird	2023 Pacific Games
GK	Massing Kalotang	(2002-08-26) August 26, 2002 (age 21)	8	0	Yatel	2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
GK	Serge Daniel	(1991-02-16) 16 February 1991 (age 33)	4	0	Erakor Golden Star	v.  Solomon Islands, 23 March 2023
DF	Tasso Jeffrey	(1998-08-12) 12 August 1998 (age 25)	1	0	Gawler Eagles	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Bethuel Ollie	(1997-08-19) 19 August 1997 (age 26)	2	0	North Efate United	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Zidane Maguekon	(2000-06-03) June 3, 2000 (age 23)	1	0	Vaum United	2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
DF	Terry Thomas		0	0		2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
DF	Sylvain Worworbu	(1998-08-17) August 17, 1998 (age 25)	0	0	Police FC	2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
DF	Brian Kaltak	(1993-09-30) 30 September 1993 (age 30)	22	5	Central Coast Mariners	v.  Mongolia, 15 June 2023
DF	Jason Thomas	(1997-01-20) 20 January 1997 (age 27)	21	0	Erakor Golden Star	v.  Mongolia, 15 June 2023
DF	Selwyn Vatu	(1998-06-13) 13 June 1998 (age 25)	14	0	ABM Galaxy	v.  Mongolia, 15 June 2023
DF	James Chilia	(2001-03-23) 23 March 2001 (age 23)	0	0	Tupuji Imere	v.  Mongolia, 15 June 2023
MF	Raoul Coulon	(1995-12-03) 3 December 1995 (age 28)	3	0	Yatel	2023 Pacific Games
MF	Jean Taussi	(1996-07-17) 17 July 1996 (age 27)	3	0	Ifira Black Bird	2023 Pacific Games
MF	Lee Taiwia	(1995-12-23) 23 December 1995 (age 28)	0	0	Ifira Black Bird	2023 Pacific Games
MF	Elkington Molivakarua	(1993-03-03) March 3, 1993 (age 31)	11	3	Ifira Black Bird	2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
MF	Dominique Fred	(1992-10-21) October 21, 1992 (age 31)	7	1	Ifira Black Bird	2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
MF	Tyson Gere	(2000-07-11) July 11, 2000 (age 23)	0	0	VFF Academy	2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
FW	Azariah Soromon	(1999-03-01) 1 March 1999 (age 25)	17	7	Suva	2023 Pacific Games
FW	Alex Saniel	(1996-11-08) 8 November 1996 (age 27)	13	1	Suva	2023 Pacific Games
FW	Tonly Kalotang	(1997-05-19) 19 May 1997 (age 26)	2	0	Ifira Black Bird	2023 Pacific Games
FW	Jordy Tasip	(2000-07-14) 14 July 2000 (age 23)	0	0	Auckland City	2023 Pacific Games
FW	Reginold Ravo	(1997-08-25) August 25, 1997 (age 26)	1	0	Yatel	2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
FW	Rexly Butakol		0	0	Rainbow	2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
FW	Jacky Numake		0	0	Tafea	2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
MF	Dondy Kileiter	(1994-09-11) 11 September 1994 (age 29)	0	0	ABM Galaxy	v.  Solomon Islands, 23 March 2023

Player records

As of 21 March 2024^[9]

Players in bold are still active with Vanuatu.

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record											FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year	Host	Result	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1986		Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1990	Italy	Did not enter									Did not enter
1994	United States	Did not qualify									4	0	0	4	1	18
1998	France										2	0	1	1	2	3
2002	South Korea  Japan										4	1	0	3	11	21
2006	Germany										9	4	1	4	21	11
2010	South Africa										12	5	1	6	30	19
2014	Brazil										3	1	0	2	8	9
2018	Russia										3	1	0	2	3	8
2022	Qatar	Withdrew									Withdrew
2026	Canada  Mexico  United States	To be determined									To be determined
2030	Morocco  Portugal  Spain
2034	Saudi Arabia
Total			0/9								37	12	3	22	76	89

OFC Nations Cup

Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record											Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
as  New Hebrides											as  New Hebrides
1973	Fourth place	4th	5	1	1	3	5	10	Squad		No qualification
1980	Group stage	7th	3	0	0	3	6	9	—
as  Vanuatu											as  Vanuatu
1996	Did not qualify										4	0	1	3	5	12
1998	Group stage	5th	2	0	0	2	2	13	Squad		4	2	1	1	8	6
2000	Fourth place	4th	4	1	0	3	5	8	Squad		4	2	0	2	12	7
2002		4th	5	2	0	3	2	6	Squad		Qualified automatically
2004	Group stage	6th	5	1	0	4	5	9	Squad		4	3	1	0	16	2
2008	Fourth place	4th	6	1	1	4	5	13	Squad		6	4	0	2	25	6
2012	Group stage	5th	3	1	0	2	8	9	Squad		Qualified automatically
2016		7th	3	1	0	2	3	8	Squad
2024	Qualified										Qualified as host
Total	Fourth place	10/11	36	8	2	25	41	85	—		22	11	3	8	66	33

Pacific Games

Pacific Games record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
as  New Hebrides
1963	Group stage	6th	1	0	0	1	3	6
1966	Third place	3rd	4	1	2	1	9	14
1969	Group stage	5th	5	1	1	3	13	13
1971	Runners-up	2nd	4	2	1	1	9	12
1975	Group stage	5th	2	0	0	2	1	6
1979	Fifth place	5th	6	4	0	2	19	6
as  Vanuatu
1983	Group stage	6th	1	0	0	1	0	6
1987	Fourth place	4th	6	2	1	3	16	13
1991	Fourth place	4th	5	2	0	3	9	8
1995	Fourth place	4th	5	2	0	3	10	9
2003	Third place	3rd	6	3	3	0	23	3
2007	Third place	3rd	6	4	0	2	25	6
2011	Group stage	6th	5	4	0	1	18	7
2015	See Vanuatu national under-23 football team
2019	Group stage	5th	4	2	1	1	25	2
2023	Semi-finals	4th	4	1	1	2	9	6
Total	15/15	0 Titles	64	28	10	26	189	117

Melanesia Cup[edit] Melanesia Cup record Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA 1988 Third place 3rd 4 1 0 3 2 19 1989 Fifth place 5th 4 0 0 4 2 12 1990 Champions 1st 4 2 2 0 4 2 1992 Fourth place 4th 3 0 0 3 1 6 1994 Fifth place 5th 4 0 1 3 5 12 1998 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 1 1 8 6 2000 Third place 3rd 4 2 0 2 12 7 MSG Prime Minister's Cup 2022 Group stage 5th 2 0 1 1 2 3 2023 Third place 3rd 3 1 0 2 1 5 Total 9/9 1 Title 32 8 5 19 37 72

Wantok Cup[edit] Wantok Cup record Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA 2008 Runners-up 2nd 2 1 0 1 3 3 2011 Runners-up 2nd 2 0 1 1 1 2 2011 Champions 1st 2 1 1 0 2 0 Total 3/3 1 Title 6 2 2 2 6 5

Head-to-head record

Up to matches played on 26 March 2024.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	WPCT
American Samoa	4	4	0	0	39	1	+38	100.00
Australia	4	0	0	4	0	7	−7	0.00
Brunei	1	0	0	1	2	3	−1	0.00
Cook Islands	1	1	0	0	8	1	+7	100.00
Estonia	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1	0.00
Fiji	36	10	7	19	39	82	−43	27.78
Guam	3	3	0	0	14	0	+14	100.00
Guinea	1	0	0	1	0	6	−6	0.00
India	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1	0.00
Indonesia	1	0	0	1	0	6	−6	0.00
Kiribati	1	1	0	0	18	0	+18	100.00
Lebanon	1	0	0	1	1	3	−2	0.00
Mongolia	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	100.00
New Caledonia	40	8	7	25	45	101	−56	20.00
New Zealand	12	1	0	11	10	58	−48	8.33
Papua New Guinea	23	9	5	9	33	29	+4	39.13
Samoa[a]	5	5	0	0	36	1	+35	100.00
Solomon Islands	35	6	7	22	37	78	−41	17.14
Tahiti	26	5	3	18	28	64	−36	19.23
Tonga	5	5	0	0	33	2	+31	100.00
Tuvalu	4	4	0	0	22	1	+21	100.00
Wallis and Futuna	2	2	0	0	10	1	+9	100.00
Total	208	65	29	114	376	446	−70	31.25

Historical kits

1987 Home

1992 Home

1992 Away

1999

2000 Home

2002 Home

2004 Home

2004 Away

2007

2009

2011 Home

2011 Away

2012 Home

2012 Away

2016 Home

2017 Home

2017 Away

2017

2019 Home

2022 Home

2022 Away

2024 Home

2024 Away

Sources:^{[10][11][12][13][14][15][16]}