Tonga national football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Tonga women's national football team.

The Tonga men's national football team (Tongan: timi soka fakafonua ʻa Tonga) represents Tonga in men's international football and is controlled by the Tonga Football Association, which is a part of the Oceania Football Confederation.

Tonga

Nickname(s)	Tu’Ulalupe
Association	Tonga Football Association (TFA)
Confederation	OFC (Oceania)
Head coach	Kilifi Uele
Captain	Hemaloto Polovili
Most caps	Kilifi Uele (26)
Top scorer	Unaloto Feao (7)
Home stadium	Teufaiva Sport Stadium Tonga Football Association Stadium
FIFA code	TGA
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	198 1 (10 July 2025)[1]
Highest	163 (October 1998–December 1998)
Lowest	211 (April 2018, July 2019)
First international
Tahiti 8–0 Tonga  (Suva, Fiji; 29 August 1979)
Biggest win
Tonga 7–0 Micronesia  (Nausori, Fiji; 5 July 2003)
Biggest defeat
Tonga 0–22 Australia  (Coffs Harbour, Australia; 9 April 2001)

History

Information

Football in Tonga

Tonga's greatest football triumph to date was their triumph in the first ever Polynesian Cup held in 1993 over Samoa and the Cook Islands. Although local players have not yet made their mark on big leagues abroad, the Chief Executive of the Tonga Football Association, Joe Topou, was appointed to the FIFA Executive Committee in 2002.

In July 2023, Tonga became unranked within the FIFA rankings due to not having played any matches since they lost 8-0 to Papua New Guinea on 18 July 2019.

The second Goal project

Tonga's second Goal project will develop and improve the national football academy and the association's headquarters in Atele, Tongatapu, which was built in the country's first Goal project. This development work has the aim that all of the Tonga Football Association's needs are fully satisfied. Local matches will be held at the football academy, while the administration's requirements, including the needs of players, officials and spectators, will also be covered. The football school will be transformed into a House of Football.^{[clarification needed]}

Team image

Kit sponsorship

Kit supplier[2]	Period
Lotto	2007–2013
OFC	2014
None	2016–2019
Lotto	2019–2024
Custom Athletics	2025–

Fixtures and results

Main article: Tonga national football team results

2024

Tonga  v  Samoa

20 March 2024 OFC Nations Cup qualification	Tonga	1–4	Samoa	Nuku'alofa, Tonga
14:00	Kite 90+5'	Report	Tumua 11' (pen.) Viliamu 45+1', 60' Stowers 89'	Stadium: Teufaiva Stadium Attendance: 300 Referee: Luke Gardner (New Zealand)

Cook Islands  v  Tonga

26 March 2024 OFC Nations Cup qualification	Cook Islands	1–0	Tonga	Nuku'alofa, Tonga
14:00				Stadium: Teufaiva Stadium

Nadi F.C. v  Tonga

28 August Friendly	Nadi F.C.	2–0	Tonga	Nadi, Fiji
19:00 UTC+12				Stadium: Prince Charles Park

Cook Islands  v  Tonga

6 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Cook Islands	1–3	Tonga	Apia, Samoa
11:00 UTC+13	Kumsuz 63'	[3][4]	Tikoipau 27' Polovili 39' (pen.) Kefu 79'	Stadium: FFS Football Stadium Attendance: 300 Referee: Calvin Berg (New Zealand)

Tonga  v  Samoa

9 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Tonga	1–2 (a.e.t.)	Samoa	Apia, Samoa
15:00 UTC+13	Sonasi 45+1'	[5][6]	Salisbury 82' Faamatau 105+3'	Stadium: National Soccer Stadium Attendance: 500 Referee: Mederic Lacour (New Caledonia)

Coaching history

• Tongia Nāpa'a (1979)
• Rudi Gutendorf (1981)
• Umberto Mottini (1997–1998)
• Gary Phillips (2001)
• Heinave Kaifa (2002–2003)
• Milan Janković (2003–2005)
• Ben Perry (2005–2006)
• Reece McLaughlin (2006–2007)
• Chris Williams (2011)
• Timote Moleni (2015–2023)
• Kilifi Uele (2024–present)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 World Cup qualification matches in September 2024.^[7]

Caps and goals updated as of 9 September 2024, after the game against Samoa.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Semisi ‘Otukolo	(1999-06-23) 23 June 1999 (age 26)	12	0	Veitongo
	1GK	Unaloto Pahulu	(2006-10-18) 18 October 2006 (age 18)	0	0	Folaha
	2DF	Kulisitofa Kite	(2003-01-17) 17 January 2003 (age 22)	7	1	Veitongo
	2DF	Petelo Naniseni	(2003-12-20) 20 December 2003 (age 21)	7	0	Navutoka
	2DF	David-John Tuamoheloa	(2004-06-30) 30 June 2004 (age 21)	6	0	Manukau United
	2DF	Petelo Manu	(2005-12-19) 19 December 2005 (age 19)	2	0	Marist
	2DF	Viliami Tikoipau	(2001-01-07) 7 January 2001 (age 24)	2	1	Manukau United
	2DF	Utu'one Lea'aetoa	(2005-02-16) 16 February 2005 (age 20)	1	0	Veitongo
	3MF	Fineasi Palei	(1989-05-20) 20 May 1989 (age 36)	12	0	Launceston City
	3MF	Christopher Kefu	(2003-02-11) 11 February 2003 (age 22)	6	1	Veitongo
	3MF	Ulafala Sonasi	(2007-07-28) 28 July 2007 (age 18)	4	1	Marist
	3MF	Topuluka Tuamoheloa		3	0	Lower Hutt City
	3MF	Va'inga Teu	(2006-02-12) 12 February 2006 (age 19)	2	0	Fahefa
	3MF	Tomasi Armitage	(2005-05-26) 26 May 2005 (age 20)	1	0	Waikato Unicol
	3MF	Hakeai Fonua	(2008-09-01) 1 September 2008 (age 16)	0	0	Ahau
	3MF	Herick Funaki	(2003-08-07) 7 August 2003 (age 22)	0	0	Longolongo
	3MF	Maikeli Lomu	(1997-10-29) 29 October 1997 (age 27)	0	0	Veitongo
	4FW	Hemaloto Polovili	(1997-07-27) 27 July 1997 (age 28)	17	4	Veitongo
	4FW	Lisiate Feke	(2004-03-25) 25 March 2004 (age 21)	8	0	Veitongo
	4FW	Amoni Fifita	(2004-06-26) 26 June 2004 (age 21)	8	3	Makave
	4FW	Vilikisepi Tai	(2006-02-24) 24 February 2006 (age 19)	4	0	Fahefa
	4FW	Viliami Tukia	(2001-01-07) 7 January 2001 (age 24)	2	0	Lami
	4FW	Ata Inia	(2000-04-25) 25 April 2000 (age 25)	0	0	Chanthaburi

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up within the last 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Nimilote Moala	(2003-07-18) 18 July 2003 (age 22)	1	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
GK	Justin Toetu’u		1	0	Longolongo	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Atieli 'Aho	(2007-01-23) 23 January 2007 (age 18)	2	0	Nukuhetulu	v.  Samoa; 9 September 2024 PRE
DF	Laulea Taufa	(1999-07-14) 14 July 1999 (age 26)	11	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
DF	Sione Talia'uli	(2006-05-29) 29 May 2006 (age 19)	2	0	Fasi-Moe-Afi	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
DF	Sione Tu’ifangaloka	(1999-04-24) 24 April 1999 (age 26)	6	0	Veitongo	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Nicolas Vea	(2003-10-31) 31 October 2003 (age 21)	4	0	Navutoka	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Fakaofo Tonga	(2004-10-29) 29 October 2004 (age 20)	3	0	Navutoka	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Ta’u Tupou		1	0	Vava'u	2023 Pacific Games
MF	Kamaliele Papani	(1984-04-08) 8 April 1984 (age 41)	14	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
MF	Vai Lutu	(1999-09-30) 30 September 1999 (age 25)	11	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
MF	Tuia Falepapalangi	(2000-07-15) 15 July 2000 (age 25)	6	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
MF	Mohammed Rajani	(1999-04-19) 19 April 1999 (age 26)	6	1	Rockdale Ilinden	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
MF	Tau’aika Sonasi		5	0	Marist	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
MF	Petueli Tokotaha	(2000-09-10) 10 September 2000 (age 24)	6	2	Navutoka	2023 Pacific Games
MF	Petueli Tokotaha	(2004-03-25) 25 March 2004 (age 21)	3	0	Longolongo	2023 Pacific Games
MF	Taniela Vaka’uta		2	0	Folaha	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Lafaela Moala	(1982-07-22) 22 July 1982 (age 43)	0	0	Unattached	v.  Samoa; 9 September 2024 PRE
FW	Elias Kendler		4	1	Haʻamoko United Youth	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
FW	Feki Tufi	(2000-04-11) 11 April 2000 (age 25)	2	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
FW	William Foliaki		0	0	Unknown	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
FW	Nuku ‘Esau		3	0	Navutoka	2023 Pacific Games

Player records

As of 9 September 2024^[8]

Players in bold are still active with Tonga.

Most appearances

Rank	Name	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Kilifi Uele	26	3	1996–2017
2	Unaloto Fea'o	17	7	2001–2017
	Hemaloto Polovili	17	4	2015–present
4	Lafaele Moala	16	1	2003–2015
5	Folio Moeaki	15	0	2004–2015
	Sione Uhatahi	15	1	2007–2019
7	Siu'a Ma'amaloa	14	1	2001–2004
	Kamaliele Papani	14	0	2003–present
9	Semisi 'Otukolo	12	0	2017–present
	Fineasi Palei	12	0	2011–present

Top goalscorers

Rank	Name	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Unaloto Fea'o	7	17	0.41	2001–2017
2	Lokoua Taufahema	5	7	0.71	2001–2011
3	Hemaloto Polovili	4	17	0.24	2015–present
4	Amone Suli	3	1	3	2002
	Amoni Fifita	3	8	0.38	2023–present
	Mark Uhatahi	3	11	0.27	2003–2015
	Kilifi Uele	3	26	0.12	1996–2017
8	Ma'ake Uhatahi	2	2	1	2009
	Petueli Tokotaha	2	6	0.33	2017–present
	Pio Palu	2	7	0.29	2007–2011
	Timote Moleni	2	8	0.25	1996–2001
	Filisione Taufahema	2	8	0.25	2001–2002

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup											Qualification
Year	Host	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	F	A		Pld	W	D	L	F	A
1930 to 1990		Not member of FIFA									Not member of FIFA
1994	United States	Did not enter									Did not enter
1998	France	Did not qualify									4	2	0	2	3	13
2002	South Korea Japan										4	2	0	2	7	30
2006	Germany										4	1	0	3	2	17
2010	South Africa										4	1	0	3	6	10
2014	Brazil										3	1	1	1	4	4
2018	Russia										3	0	0	3	1	8
2022	Qatar	Withdrew									Withdrew
2026	Canada Mexico United States	Did not qualify									2	1	0	1	4	3
2030	Morocco Portugal Spain	To be determined									To be determined
2034	Saudi Arabia
Total		—	0/8	–	–	–	–	–	–		24	8	1	15	27	85

OFC Nations Cup

Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1973	Did not enter									Did not enter
1980
1996	Did not qualify									3	1	1	1	4	4
1998										4	1	1	2	5	9
2000										4	1	0	3	4	15
2002										4	1	0	3	7	18
2004										4	1	0	3	2	17
2008										4	1	0	3	6	10
2012										3	1	1	1	4	4
2016										3	0	0	3	1	8
2024										2	0	0	2	1	5
Total	—	0/11	–	–	–	–	–	–		31	7	3	21	34	90

Pacific Games

Pacific Games record Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA 1963 Did not enter 1966 1969 1971 1975 1979 Group stage 7th 4 1 0 3 5 20 1983 7th 3 1 1 1 6 8 1987 Did not enter 1991 1995 2003 Group stage 7th 4 1 1 2 9 10 2007 7th 4 1 0 3 6 10 2011 Did not enter 2015 N/A – tournament was U23 2019 Group stage 11th 4 0 0 4 0 37 2023 11th 4 1 0 3 7 13 Total Group stage 6/16 23 5 2 17 31 98

Pacific Mini Games Pacific Mini Games record Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA 1981 Did not enter 1993 Group stage 7th 3 0 0 3 0 19 2017 Sixth place 6th 5 0 0 5 5 25 Total Sixth place 2/3 8 0 0 8 5 44 Polynesia Cup Polynesia Cup record Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA 1994 Runners-up 2nd 3 1 1 1 4 4 1998 Fourth place 4th 4 1 1 2 5 9 2000 Fourth place 4th 4 1 0 3 4 15 Total Runners-up 3/3 11 3 2 6 13 28

Head-to-head record

Up to matches played on 6 September 2024.

Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	WPCT
American Samoa	10	8	0	2	34	12	+22	80.00
Australia	1	0	0	1	0	22	−22	0.00
Cook Islands	11	4	2	5	15	16	−1	36.36
Micronesia	1	1	0	0	7	0	+7	100.00
Fiji	3	0	0	3	1	17	−16	0.00
New Caledonia	6	0	0	6	2	43	−41	0.00
Papua New Guinea	4	0	1	3	2	20	−18	0.00
Samoa[a]	13	2	3	8	11	27	−16	15.38
Solomon Islands	5	0	0	5	0	31	−31	0.00
Tahiti	6	0	0	6	1	28	−27	0.00
Tuvalu	3	0	0	3	6	13	−7	0.00
Vanuatu[b]	5	0	0	5	2	33	−31	0.00
Wallis and Futuna	2	1	0	1	1	3	−2	50.00
Total	70	16	6	48	82	265	−183	22.86

Source: Results
Notes:

1. Includes results as Western Samoa.
2. Includes results as New Hebrides.

Honours

Regional

• Polynesia Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 1994

Historical kits

2001 Home

2001 Away

2009 Home

2009 Away

2011 Home

2011 Away

2015 Home

2015 Away

2017 Home

2017 Away

2019 Home

2019 Away

2023 Home

2023 Away

Sources:^{[9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21]}

See also

• Tonga national under-23 football team
• Tonga national under-20 football team
• Tonga national under-17 football team
• Tonga women's national football team
• Tonga women's national under-20 football team