New Caledonia national football team

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

The New Caledonia men's national football team is the national team of New Caledonia and is controlled by the Fédération Calédonienne de Football. Although they were only admitted to FIFA in 2004, they have been participating in the OFC Nations Cup since its inception. They have been one of this relatively small region's strongest teams, finishing second in 2008 and 2012, and third in 1973 and 1980. They were the top ranked OFC nation at number 95 in September 2008,^[2] making them only the fourth country from the confederation to have reached the global top 100.

New Caledonia

Nickname(s)	Les Cagous (The Kagus)
Association	Fédération Calédonienne de Football
Confederation	OFC (Oceania)
Head coach	Johann Sidaner
Captain	César Zeoula
Most caps	César Zeoula (45)
Top scorer	Bertrand Kaï (23)
Home stadium	Stade Numa-Daly Magenta
FIFA code	NCL
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	152 1 (10 July 2025)[1]
Highest	93 (August 2013)
Lowest	191 (April–May 2016)
First international
New Caledonia 2–0 New Zealand  (Nouméa, New Caledonia; 19 September 1951)
Biggest win
New Caledonia 18–0 Guam  (Lae, Papua New Guinea; 3 September 1991)  Micronesia 0–18 New Caledonia  (Suva, Fiji; 1 July 2003)
Biggest defeat
Australia 11–0 New Caledonia  (Auckland, New Zealand; 8 July 2002)
World Cup
Appearances	0
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances	6 (first in 1973)
Best result	Runners-up, (2008, 2012)
Coupe de l'Outre-Mer
Appearances	3 (first in 2008)
Best result	Seventh place (2012)
Melanesia Cup/MSG Prime Minister's Cup
Appearances	9 (first in 1988)
Best result	Melanesia Cup: Runners-up (1988, 1989, 1990, 1992) MSG Prime Minister's Cup: Runners-up (2023)

History

The New Caledonian Football Federation, although created in 1928,^[3] did not join FIFA or the OFC until 2004, becoming the 205th member of the former.

Previously the New Caledonian selection, due to the attachment of local institutions to the French Football Federation, could only line up during friendly matches or regional competitions, such as the Pacific Games, as well as the Oceania Football Cup, but only as a guest.

The Cagous distinguished themselves during these competitions, winning the Pacific Games on several occasions, and finishing in third place, during the first two editions of the OFC Nations Cup.

After failing to qualify for the 2004 OFC Nations Cup, the New Caledonian Football Federation hired Didier Chambaron as the team's new coach. During the 2007 South Pacific Games in Apia, the Cagous were placed in group A and won over their great rival Tahiti (1–0), this meeting was the first of the playoffs for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. They then won against Tuvalu and the Cook Islands (1–0) and (3–0). For their last group match, they drew against Fiji (1–1). The New Caledonians finished second in their group, and then beat the Solomon Islands (3–2), then in the final won the trophy against Fiji (1–0).

The Pacific Games football tournament serving as the first qualifying round for the World Cup in South Africa, the team found themselves qualified for the second round, where New Zealand blocked their way by taking first place. The Cagous however finish second in front of Fiji and Vanuatu.

In May 2011, the selection faced Reunion twice in Nouméa, matches counting for the preparation of the games of the islands of the Indian Ocean in the Seychelles of the Reunionese. The New Caledonians lost both matches. However, a few months later, during the 2011 Pacific Games, New Caledonia won in the final against the Solomon Islands, with the score of (2–0), after a victory against Tahiti (3–1).

In June 2012, on the occasion of the OFC Nations Cup, the Cagous succeeded in beating New Zealand in the semi-finals, with a score of 2–0 (goals from Bertrand Kai and Georges Gope-Fenepej), but failed in the final against their Tahitian rivals (1–0). Nevertheless, the competition serving as a second qualifying round for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, New Caledonia found itself, along with Tahiti and the semi-finalists New Zealand and the Solomon Islands qualified for the next round.

Rivalries

Main article: New Caledonia–Tahiti football rivalry

A historical sporting rivalry exists between the two French Pacific overseas collectivities, New Caledonia and Tahiti. They compete regularly in regional and, since 2006, international competitions. In 2012, Tahiti led the number of titles won (1 OFC 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.^{[citation needed]}

Kit

Macron are the current kit provider for the national team since 2025. As of 2012, the national team's home kit is a grey jersey with red shorts and red socks. The away kit is a red jersey with red shorts and white socks.

Kit supplier	Period
Puma	2004–2006[4]
Nike	2010–2012
Erreà	2013–2017
Kappa	2017–2019
Select	2020–2021
Givova	2022–2025
Macron	2025–

Results and fixtures

See also: New Caledonia national football team results (2000–present)

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

New Zealand  v  New Caledonia

15 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup	New Zealand	Cancelled	New Caledonia	Port Vila, Vanuatu
				Stadium: Freshwater Stadium
Note: On 5 June 2024, New Caledonia withdrew from the 2024 OFC Nations Cup due to the serious crisis in the country.[5]

Vanuatu  v  New Caledonia

18 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup	Vanuatu	Cancelled	New Caledonia	Port Vila, Vanuatu
				Stadium: Freshwater Stadium
Note: On 5 June 2024, New Caledonia withdrew from the 2024 OFC Nations Cup due to the serious crisis in the country.[5]

New Caledonia  v  Solomon Islands

21 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup	New Caledonia	Cancelled	Solomon Islands	Port Vila, Vanuatu
				Stadium: Freshwater Stadium
Note: On 5 June 2024, New Caledonia announced their withdrew from the 2024 OFC Nations Cup due to the serious crisis in the country.[5]

New Caledonia  v  Papua New Guinea

10 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	New Caledonia	3–1	Papua New Guinea	Suva, Fiji
16:00 UTC+12	Athale 20' (pen.) Gope-Fenepej 45' Haewegene 83'	Report (FIFA) Report (OFC)	Semmy 78'	Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Campbell-Kirk Waugh (New Zealand)

Solomon Islands  v  New Caledonia

14 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Solomon Islands	2–3	New Caledonia	Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
13:00 UTC+10	Lea'i 9' Wae 39'	Report	Athale 6' (pen.), 59' (pen.) Waia 69'	Stadium: PNG Football Stadium Referee: Calvin Berg (New Zealand)

Fiji  v  New Caledonia

17 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Fiji	1–1	New Caledonia	Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
13:00 UTC+10				Stadium: PNG Football Stadium

New Caledonia  v  Vanuatu

9 December 2024 MSG Prime Minister's Cup	New Caledonia	Cancelled	Vanuatu	Honiara, Solomon Islands
15:00 UTC+11				Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
Note: New Caledonia withdrew from the tournament shortly after the draw

Fiji  v  New Caledonia

12 December 2024 MSG Prime Minister's Cup	Fiji	Cancelled	New Caledonia	Honiara, Solomon Islands
13:00 UTC+11				Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
Note: New Caledonia withdrew from the tournament shortly after the draw

2025

New Caledonia  v  Tahiti

21 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	New Caledonia	3–0	Tahiti	Wellington, New Zealand
15:00 UTC+13	Gope-Fenepej 50', 76' Waya 90+1'	Report		Stadium: Sky Stadium Referee: CK Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand)

New Caledonia  v  New Zealand

24 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	New Caledonia	0–3	New Zealand	Auckland, New Zealand
19:10 UTC+13		Report	Boxall 61' Barbarouses 66' Just 80'	Stadium: Eden Park Attendance: 25,132 Referee: Ben Aukwai (Solomon Islands)

2026

New Caledonia  v TBC

March 2026 2026 World Cup inter-confederation play-offs

New Caledonia

v

TBC

Canada, Mexico or United States

Coaching history

• Guy Elmour (1971–1973)
• Jules Hmeune (1977)
• Rudi Gutendorf (1981)
• Jacques Zimako^[a] (1995)
• Michel Clarque (2002)
• Serge Martinengo de Novack (2002–2004)
• Didier Chambaron (2007–2010)
• Christophe Coursimault (2010–2012)
• Alain Moizan (2012–2015)
• Thierry Sardo (2015–2021)
• Dominique Wacalie (2021–2022)
• Johann Sidaner (2022–)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification in March 2025.^[6]

Caps and goals correct as of 21 March 2025,^[update] after the match against Tahiti.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Rocky Nyikeine	(1992-05-26) 26 May 1992 (age 33)	30	0	Gaïca
16	1GK	Mickaël Ulile	(1997-07-16) 16 July 1997 (age 28)	16	0	Magenta
21	1GK	Thomas Schmidt	(1996-06-04) 4 June 1996 (age 29)	5	0	Tiga Sport
2	2DF	Bernard Iwa	(2000-05-16) 16 May 2000 (age 25)	11	0	Lössi
3	2DF	Emile Béaruné	(1990-02-07) 7 February 1990 (age 35)	42	0	Horizon Patho
5	2DF	Fonzy Ranchain	(1994-07-22) 22 July 1994 (age 31)	11	0	Gaïca
8	2DF	Joris Kenon	(1998-01-29) 29 January 1998 (age 27)	5	0	Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu
18	2DF	Didier Simane	(1996-08-03) 3 August 1996 (age 29)	6	0	ASPTT Dijon
19	2DF	Joseph Athale	(1995-07-11) 11 July 1995 (age 30)	20	3	Olympique Saint-Quentin
4	3MF	Pierre Bako	(2001-08-09) 9 August 2001 (age 24)	4	0	Vertou
6	3MF	Morgan Mathelon	(1991-09-12) 12 September 1991 (age 33)	15	0	Tiga Sport
7	3MF	Jekob Jeno	(2000-06-22) 22 June 2000 (age 25)	5	0	Beitar Jerusalem
11	3MF	César Zeoula	(1989-08-29) 29 August 1989 (age 35)	44	13	Chauvigny
12	3MF	Shene Wélépane	(1997-12-09) 9 December 1997 (age 27)	21	6	Tiga Sport
17	3MF	Yoan Béaruné	(2002-03-22) 22 March 2002 (age 23)	1	0	Horizon Patho
23	3MF	Mickaël Partodikromo	(1996-02-02) 2 February 1996 (age 29)	1	0	Tiga Sport
9	4FW	Jean-Jacques Katrawa	(1999-08-02) 2 August 1999 (age 26)	11	4	Sud FC
10	4FW	Georges Gope-Fenepej	(1988-10-23) 23 October 1988 (age 36)	25	18	Saint-Pryvé Saint-Hilaire
13	4FW	Jaushua Sotirio	(1995-10-11) 11 October 1995 (age 29)	0	0	Sydney FC
14	4FW	Lues Waya	(2001-08-01) 1 August 2001 (age 24)	6	8	Vertou
15	4FW	Titouan Richard	(2000-12-04) 4 December 2000 (age 24)	6	0	Olympique Salaise Rhodia
20	4FW	Gérard Waia	(2004-12-22) 22 December 2004 (age 20)	8	2	Tiga Sport
22	4FW	Germain Haewegene	(1996-07-13) 13 July 1996 (age 29)	5	1	Magenta

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the New Caledonia squad within the last twelve months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Warren Hlupa	(2004-04-16) 16 April 2004 (age 21)	1	0	Decize	v.  Fiji, 17 November 2024
DF	Djibril Tufele	(2003-01-25) 25 January 2003 (age 22)	2	0	Lössi	v.  Tahiti, 21 March 2025 PRE
DF	Florian Gope	(2004-03-25) 25 March 2004 (age 21)	0	0	Magenta	v.  Tahiti, 21 March 2025 PRE
DF	Cameron Wadenges	(2000-08-05) 5 August 2000 (age 25)	3	0	Racing Besançon	v.  Fiji, 17 November 2024
DF	Alexandre Deplanque	(2001-01-02) 2 January 2001 (age 24)	2	0	Vendée Fontenay	v.  Fiji, 17 November 2024
MF	Jules Omei	(2001-07-14) 14 July 2001 (age 24)	6	0	Mont-Dore	v.  Tahiti, 21 March 2025 PRE
MF	Ilhan Iekawe	(2002-07-28) 28 July 2002 (age 23)	0	0	Tiga Sport	v.  Tahiti, 21 March 2025 PRE
MF	Nathaël Ouka		0	0	Gaïca	v.  Tahiti, 21 March 2025 PRE
FW	Bryan Ausu	(1997-11-25) 25 November 1997 (age 27)	2	0	Sud FC	v.  Fiji, 17 November 2024
Notes INJ Withdrew due to injury PRE Preliminary squad / standby WD Withdrew due to non-injury issue

Player records

As of 24 March 2025^[7]

Players in bold are still active with New Caledonia.

Most appearances

César Zeoula is the most capped player of the national team.

Rank	Name	Caps	Goals	Career
1	César Zeoula	45	13	2008–present
2	Bertrand Kaï	43	23	2008–2022
3	Emile Béaruné	42	0	2010–present
4	Pierre Wajoka	39	13	2003–2011
	Joël Wakanumuné	39	1	2011–2022
6	Iamel Kabeu	34	20	2002–2013
7	Roy Kayara	31	8	2008–2019
	Rocky Nyikeine	31	0	2011–present
9	Michel Hmaé	28	22	2003–2011
10	André Sinédo	27	1	2002–2011

Top goalscorers

Rank	Name	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Bertrand Kaï	23	43	0.53	2008–2022
2	Michel Hmaé	22	28	0.79	2003–2011
3	Iamel Kabeu	20	34	0.59	2002–2013
4	Georges Gope-Fenepej	18	26	0.69	2011–present
5	Pierre Wajoka	13	39	0.33	2003–2011
	César Zeoula	13	45	0.29	2008–present
7	Jean-Philippe Saïko	12	10	1.2	2016–2022
8	Joris Pibke	11	5	2.2	2000–2002
9	Paul Poatinda	10	10	1	2003–2004
10	Jacques Haeko	9	13	0.69	2011–2012

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record										FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 2002	Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
2006	Did not qualify									4	2	1	1	16	2
2010										12	7	3	2	22	13
2014										11	7	0	4	36	13
2018										8	2	4	2	13	8
2022										3	0	0	3	2	10
2026	To be determined									4	3	1	0	10	4
2030										To be determined
2034
Total		0/5	–	–	–	–	–	–		42	21	9	12	99	50

FIFA World Cup qualification History
Year	Round	H/A/N	Score	Result
2006	Group 1	N	New Caledonia  0 – 0  Tahiti	Draw
	Group 1	A	New Caledonia  0 – 2  Solomon Islands	Loss
	Group 1	N	New Caledonia  8 – 0  Cook Islands	Win
	Group 1	N	New Caledonia  8 – 0  Tonga	Win
2010	South Pacific Games	N	New Caledonia  1 – 0  Tahiti	Win
	South Pacific Games	N	New Caledonia  1 – 0  Tuvalu	Win
	South Pacific Games	N	New Caledonia  3 – 0  Cook Islands	Win
	South Pacific Games	N	New Caledonia  1 – 1  Fiji	Draw
	South Pacific Games	N	New Caledonia  3 – 2  Solomon Islands	Win
	South Pacific Games	N	New Caledonia  1 – 0  Fiji	Win
	OFC Nations Cup	A	New Caledonia  3 – 3  Fiji	Draw
	OFC Nations Cup	H	New Caledonia  4 – 0  Fiji	Win
	OFC Nations Cup	A	New Caledonia  1 – 1  Vanuatu	Draw
	OFC Nations Cup	H	New Caledonia  3 – 0  Vanuatu	Win
	OFC Nations Cup	H	New Caledonia  1 – 3  New Zealand	Loss
	OFC Nations Cup	A	New Caledonia  0 – 3  New Zealand	Loss
2014	OFC Nations Cup	N	New Caledonia  5 – 2  Vanuatu	Win
	OFC Nations Cup	N	New Caledonia  3 – 4  Tahiti	Loss
	OFC Nations Cup	N	New Caledonia  9 – 0  Samoa	Win
	Third Round	H	New Caledonia  0 – 2  New Zealand	Loss
	Third Round	A	New Caledonia  4 – 0  Tahiti	Win
	Third Round	A	New Caledonia  6 – 2  Solomon Islands	Win
	Third Round	H	New Caledonia  5 – 0  Solomon Islands	Win
	Third Round	A	New Caledonia  1 – 2  New Zealand	Loss
	Third Round	H	New Caledonia  1 – 0  Tahiti	Win
2018	OFC Nations Cup	N	New Caledonia  1 – 1  Papua New Guinea	Draw
	OFC Nations Cup	N	New Caledonia  7 – 0  Samoa	Win
	OFC Nations Cup	N	New Caledonia  1 – 1  Tahiti	Draw
	Third Round	A	New Caledonia  0 – 2  New Zealand	Loss
	Third Round	H	New Caledonia  0 – 0  New Zealand	Draw
	Third Round	A	New Caledonia  2 – 2  Fiji	Draw
	Third Round	H	New Caledonia  2 – 1  New Zealand	Draw
2022	Group Stage	N	New Caledonia  1 – 2  Fiji	Loss
	Group Stage	N	New Caledonia  0 – 1  Papua New Guinea	Loss
	Group Stage	N	New Caledonia  1 – 7  New Zealand	Loss
2026	Second Round	N	New Caledonia  3 – 1  Papua New Guinea	Win
	Second Round	N	New Caledonia  2 – 3  Solomon Islands	Win
	Second Round	N	New Caledonia  1 – 1  Fiji	Draw

OFC Nations Cup

Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1973	Third place	3rd	5	3	0	2	10	6		No qualification
1980	Third place	3rd	4	3	0	1	14	12
1996	Did not qualify									4	1	0	3	5	9
1998										4	0	0	4	4	10
2000										4	2	0	2	11	11
2002	Group stage	8th	3	0	0	3	1	14		4	3	0	1	25	4
2004	Did not qualify									4	2	1	1	16	2
2008	Runners-up	2nd	6	2	2	2	12	10		6	5	1	0	10	3
2012	Runners-up	2nd	5	3	0	2	19	7		Qualified automatically
2016	Semi-finals	3rd	4	1	2	1	9	3
2024	Qualified but withdrew[b]
Total	Runners-up	6/11	27	12	4	11	65	52		26	13	2	11	71	39

Pacific Games

Pacific Games record
Year	Host	Round	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1963	Fiji	Gold medal	2	2	0	0	10	3
1966	New Caledonia	Silver medal	4	3	0	1	17	2
1969	Papua New Guinea	Gold medal	5	4	1	0	20	3
1971	Tahiti	Gold medal	4	3	1	0	12	2
1975	Guam	Silver medal	5	4	0	1	16	4
1979	Fiji	Fourth place	5	3	0	2	26	8
1983	Samoa	Bronze medal	6	4	0	2	16	11
1987	New Caledonia	Gold medal	6	5	0	1	26	4
1991	Papua New Guinea	Bronze medal	5	3	0	2	13	8
1995	Tahiti	Group stage	4	2	0	2	19	3
2003	Fiji	Silver medal	6	4	1	1	29	3
2007	Samoa	Gold medal	6	5	1	0	10	3
2011	New Caledonia	Gold medal	7	6	0	1	36	3
2015	Papua New Guinea	See New Caledonia national under-23 football team
2019	Samoa	Silver medal	6	5	0	1	23	2
2023	Solomon Islands	Gold medal	4	3	1	0	18	2
Total		8 titles	69	52	5	13	268	59

MSG Prime Minister's Cup

MSG Prime Minister's Cup record
Year	Host	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1988	Solomon Islands	4th	4	1	0	3	6	5
1989	Fiji	Runners-up	4	3	0	1	9	5
1990	Vanuatu	Runners-up	4	2	1	1	5	3
1992	Vanuatu	Runners-up	3	2	1	0	4	2
1994	Solomon Islands	4th	4	1	0	3	5	9
1998	Vanuatu	5th	4	0	0	4	4	10
2000	Fiji	4th	4	2	0	2	11	11
2022	Vanuatu	6th	2	0	0	2	0	2
2023	New Caledonia	Runners-up	3	2	0	1	7	2
2024	Solomon Islands	Withdrew	–
Total		Runners-up	32	13	2	17	51	49

Head-to-head record

Up to matches played on 24 March 2025.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	WPCT
American Samoa	4	4	0	0	33	0	+33	100.00
Australia	4	0	0	4	1	23	−22	0.00
Bulgaria	1	0	0	1	3	5	−2	0.00
Cook Islands	5	5	0	0	40	0	+40	100.00
Estonia	1	0	1	0	1	1	0	0.00
Fiji	39	12	6	21	69	76	−7	30.77
Guadeloupe	2	0	1	1	1	5	−4	0.00
Guam	3	3	0	0	37	1	+36	100.00
Malaysia	1	0	0	1	1	2	−1	0.00
Martinique	3	0	1	2	1	7	−6	0.00
Mauritius	1	0	0	1	1	3	−2	0.00
Mayotte	2	1	0	1	3	4	−1	50.00
Micronesia	1	1	0	0	18	0	+18	100.00
New Zealand	34	11	2	21	46	74	−28	32.35
Papua New Guinea	20	14	2	4	55	18	+37	70.00
Réunion	2	0	0	2	3	7	−4	0.00
Saint Pierre and Miquelon	1	1	0	0	16	1	+15	100.00
Samoa[c]	4	4	0	0	29	0	+29	100.00
Solomon Islands	29	15	3	11	58	35	+23	51.72
Tahiti	65	28	14	23	111	78	+33	43.08
Tonga	6	6	0	0	43	2	+41	100.00
Tuvalu	5	4	0	1	32	2	+30	80.00
Vanuatu[d]	40	25	7	8	102	45	+57	62.50
Wallis and Futuna	3	3	0	0	19	1	+18	100.00
Total	276	137	37	102	723	390	+333	49.64

Source: 1951–99 results and 2000–present results
Notes:

1. New Caledonia sporting nationality. At the time, no other flag other than the French flag was used
2. Withdrew before the tournament started due to the social unrest in the country.
3. Includes results as Western Samoa.
4. Includes results as New Hebrides.

Honours

Major competitions

• OFC Nations Cup
  • Runners-up (2): 2008, 2012
  • Third place (2): 1973, 1980

Regional

• Pacific Games
  • Gold medal (7): 1963, 1969, 1971, 1987, 2007, 2011, 2023
  • Silver medal (4): 1966, 1987, 2003, 2019
  • Bronze medal (2): 1983, 1991
• Melanesia Cup
  • Runner-up (4): 1989, 1990, 1992, 2023

Awards

• OFC Nations Cup Fair Play Award: 2016

Summary

Competition				Total
OFC Nations Cup	0	2	2	4
Total	0	2	2	4

Historical kits

1987 Home

1998 Home

2002 Home

2003 Home

2003 Away

2004 Third

2006 Home

2006 Away

2007 Home

2007 Away

2008 Home

2010 Home

2011

2012 Home

2012 Away

2016 Home

2016 Away

2017 Home

2019

2019

2019

2019

2022

2022

2022

2022

2022

Sources:^{[8][9][10][11][12]}

Notes