Vanuatu national football team

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

The Vanuatu men's national football team (French: équipe du Vanuatu de football) 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.^[4]

Vanuatu

Nickname(s)	The Men in Black and Gold
Association	Vanuatu Football Federation
Confederation	OFC (Oceania)
Head coach	Joel Rarua
Captain	Brian Kaltak
Most caps	Kensi Tangis (39)
Top scorer	Richard Iwai (20)[1]
Home stadium	Port Vila Municipal Stadium
FIFA code	VAN
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	164 1 (10 July 2025)[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	10 (first in 1973)
Best result	Runners-up (2024)
Pacific Games
Appearances	15 (first in 1963)
Best result	Runners-up (1971)
Melanesia Cup/MSG Prime Minister's Cup
Appearances	9 (first in 1988)
Best result	Melanesia Cup: Champions (1990) MSG Prime Minister's Cup: Third place (2023)
Wantok Cup
Appearances	3 (first in 2008)
Best result	Champions (2011)

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.

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.^[5][6]

Team image

Kit sponsorship

Kit provider[7]	Period
Lotto	2011–2012
Veto	2013
Nike	2014
Best Promotions	2015
Pasifika	2016–2019
KPI Sports	2019–2022
Macron	2022–2023
Lotto	2023–2024
Cikers	2024–

Results and fixtures

Main article: Vanuatu national football team results

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

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	0–1	Vanuatu	Port Vila, Vanuatu
15:00 UTC+11		Report	Tangis 72'	Stadium: Freshwater Stadium Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Veer Singh (Fiji)

Vanuatu  v  New Caledonia

18 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup	Vanuatu	Cancelled	New Caledonia	Port Vila, Vanuatu
15:00 UTC+11		Report		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.[8]

Vanuatu  v  New Zealand

21 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup	Vanuatu	0–4	New Zealand	Port Vila, Vanuatu
15:00 UTC+11		Report	Mata 10', 27' Just 63' Old 78'	Stadium: Freshwater Stadium Attendance: 7,200 Referee: Veer Singh (Fiji)

Fiji  v  Vanuatu

27 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup SF	Fiji	1–2	Vanuatu	Port Vila, Vanuatu
15:00 UTC+11	Cavuilagi 46'	Report	Spokeyjack 12' Thomas 56'	Stadium: Freshwater Stadium Referee: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand)

New Zealand  v  Vanuatu

30 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup Final	New Zealand	3–0	Vanuatu	Port Vila, Vanuatu
15:00	Howieson 2' Randall 83' Mata 90+2'	Report		Stadium: Freshwater Stadium Attendance: 10,000

Vanuatu  v  Australia U23

5 September Pacific Series	Vanuatu	0–3	Australia U23	Port Vila, Vanuatu
		Report	Blair 42' Taylor 62' Grimaldi 74'	Stadium: Freshwater Stadium Referee: Ben Aukwai (Solomon Islands)

Vanuatu  v  Australia U23

8 September Pacific Series	Vanuatu	0–4	Australia U23	Port Vila, Vanuatu
		Source		Stadium: Freshwater Stadium

Coaching staff

Position	Name
Head coach	Joel Rarua
Assistant coach	Pinto Duro
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

• Terry O'Donnell (1987–1993)
• Saby Natonga (1996)
• Alwyn Job (1998)
• Juan Carlos Buzzetti (2000–2004)
• Joe Szekeres (2004–2007)
• Robert Calvo (2007–2008)
• Willian Malas (2008)
• Jorge Añón (2009)
• Saby Natonga (2011–2012)
• Percy Avock (2012–2015)
• Moise Poida (2015–2017)
• Etienne Mermer (2017–2018)
• Paul Munster (2019)
• Etienne Mermer (2019–2022)
• George Amos (2022)
• Juan Carlos Buzzetti (2022)
• Emerson Alcântara (2022)
• Etienne Mermer (2022–2023)
• Emerson Alcântara (2023–2024)
• Juliano Schmeling (2024–2025)
• Joel Rarua (2025-)

Players

Current squad

The following 23 players were called up for the PacificAus Sports Football Series in September 2024.^[9]

Caps and goals are correct as of 30 June 2024, after the match against New Zealand.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Massing Kalotang	(2002-08-26) August 26, 2002 (age 22)	8	0	Erakor Gold Star
	1GK	Anthony Quai		0	0	Penama
	1GK	Dick Sablan	(1996-12-23) December 23, 1996 (age 28)	0	0	Ifira Black Bird
	2DF	Michel Coulon	(1995-12-03) 3 December 1995 (age 29)	17	1	Mauriki
	2DF	Timothy Boulet	(1998-11-29) November 29, 1998 (age 26)	15	0	Ifira Black Bird
	2DF	Selwym Vatu	(1998-06-13) 13 June 1998 (age 27)	13	0	ABM Galaxy
	2DF	Tasso Jeffrey	(1998-08-12) 12 August 1998 (age 27)	12	0	Western Strikers
	2DF	Jacques Wanemut	(1992-02-02) February 2, 1992 (age 33)	4	0	Ifira Black Bird
	2DF	Zidane Maguekon	(2000-06-03) June 3, 2000 (age 25)	1	0	Classic
	2DF	Thomas Salemu		0	0	Ifira Black Bird
	2DF	Joshua Tokio	(2001-04-04) April 4, 2001 (age 24)	0	0	Ifira Black Bird
	3MF	John Alick	(1991-04-25) 25 April 1991 (age 34)	25	0	Solomon Warriors
	3MF	John Wohale	(1997-07-09) 9 July 1997 (age 28)	17	1	Ifira Black Bird
	3MF	Jared Clark	(1998-01-21) 21 January 1998 (age 27)	8	0	FK Beograd
	3MF	Harry Norman	(2003-12-31) 31 December 2003 (age 21)	8	1	Exe Green Rovers
	3MF	Alick Worworbu	(1997-08-27) 27 August 1997 (age 27)	4	0	Yatel
	4FW	Alex Saniel	(1996-11-08) 8 November 1996 (age 28)	23	1	Northern Demons
	4FW	Johnathan Spokeyjack	(1998-11-13) 13 November 1998 (age 26)	16	2	Ifira Black Bird
	4FW	Godine Tenene	(1998-05-03) 3 May 1998 (age 27)	16	3	Ifira Black Bird
	4FW	Tony Kaltak	(1996-11-05) 5 November 1996 (age 28)	16	15	Erakor Gold Star
	4FW	Jean Kaltak	(1994-08-19) 19 August 1994 (age 30)	8	9	Erakor Gold Star
	4FW	Tonly Kalotang	(1997-05-19) 19 May 1997 (age 28)	2	0	Ifira Black Bird
	4FW	Jordy Tasip	(2000-07-14) 14 July 2000 (age 25)	0	0	Ifira Black Bird

Recent call-ups

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

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	James Iamar	(1997-01-25) January 25, 1997 (age 28)	4	0	Tafea	2024 OFC Nations Cup
GK	Dgen Leo	(2000-08-06) August 6, 2000 (age 25)	3	0	Classic	2024 OFC Nations Cup
GK	Joshua Willie	(2000-06-13) June 13, 2000 (age 25)	2	0	ABM Galaxy	2024 FIFA Series
GK	Anthony Taiwia	(1994-09-04) 4 September 1994 (age 30)	0	0	Ifira Black Bird	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Brian Kaltak	(1993-09-30) 30 September 1993 (age 31)	30	5	Perth Glory	2024 OFC Nations Cup
DF	Jason Thomas	(1997-01-20) 20 January 1997 (age 28)	27	1	Erakor Golden Star	2024 OFC Nations Cup
DF	Lency Philip	(1997-06-08) 8 June 1997 (age 28)	12	0	Classic	2024 OFC Nations Cup
DF	Kerry Iawak	(1996-03-16) 16 March 1996 (age 29)	5	0	Ifira Black Bird	2024 OFC Nations Cup
DF	Samuel Kaloros	(1989-09-16) 16 September 1989 (age 35)	4	0	Ifira Black Bird	2024 FIFA Series
DF	Joseph Kalotiti		1	0	Pango Green Bird	2024 FIFA Series
DF	Bethuel Ollie	(1997-08-19) 19 August 1997 (age 27)	2	0	North Efate United	2023 Pacific Games
MF	Bong Kalo	(1997-01-18) 18 January 1997 (age 28)	27	4	ABM Galaxy	2024 OFC Nations Cup
MF	Claude Aru	(1997-04-25) 25 April 1997 (age 28)	14	1	North Efate United	2024 OFC Nations Cup
MF	Barry Mansale	(1995-11-01) 1 November 1995 (age 29)	11	1	Yatel	2024 OFC Nations Cup
MF	Raoul Coulon	(1995-12-03) 3 December 1995 (age 29)	3	0	Yatel	2023 Pacific Games
MF	Jean Taussi	(1996-07-17) 17 July 1996 (age 29)	3	0	Ifira Black Bird	2023 Pacific Games
MF	Lee Taiwia	(1995-12-23) 23 December 1995 (age 29)	0	0	Ifira Black Bird	2023 Pacific Games
FW	Kensi Tangis	(1991-12-19) 19 December 1991 (age 33)	36	9	ABM Galaxy	2024 OFC Nations Cup
FW	Joe Moses	(2002-05-22) 22 May 2002 (age 23)	9	2	ABM Galaxy	2024 OFC Nations Cup
FW	Maliwan Thomas	(2005-01-26) 26 January 2005 (age 20)	1	0	Tafea	2024 FIFA Series
FW	Keshly Joseph		0	0		2024 FIFA Series
FW	Azariah Soromon	(1999-03-01) 1 March 1999 (age 26)	17	7	Western Strikers	2023 Pacific Games

Player records

As of 21 December 2024^[10]

Players in bold are still active with Vanuatu.

Most appearances

Rank	Name	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Kensi Tangis	39	9	2011–present
2	Richard Iwai	34	20	2000–2011
3	Etienne Mermer	33	15	1998–2008
	Brian Kaltak	33	5	2011–present
	Bong Kalo	33	5	2015–present
6	Fedy Vava	30	2	2000–2012
	John Alick	30	2	2017–present
8	Lexa Bibi	29	2	2000–2004
	Seimata Chilia	29	9	2000–2011
10	Pita David Maki	28	2	2000–2008

Top goalscorers

Rank	Name	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Richard Iwai	20	34	0.59	2000–2011
2	Tony Kaltack	15	16	0.94	2016–2019
	Etienne Mermer	15	33	0.45	1998–2008
4	Seule Soromon	10	10	1	2007–2011
	Jean Kaltack	10	11	0.91	2011–present
	Azariah Soromon	10	26	0.38	2017–present
7	Seimata Chilia	9	29	0.31	2000–2011
	Kensi Tangis	9	39	0.23	2011–present
9	Bill Nicholls	6	8	0.75	2015–2019
	François Sakama	6	12	0.5	2007–2015
	Robert Tasso	6	12	0.5	2011–2016
	Mitch Cooper	6	12	0.5	2019–present

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	Did not qualify									3	1	0	2	5	11
2030	Morocco Portugal Spain	To be determined									To be determined
2034	Saudi Arabia
Total			0/10								40	13	3	24	81	100

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
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
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	Fourth place	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	Runners-up	2nd	4	2	0	2	3	8	Squad
Total	Runners-up	10/11	40	10	2	28	44	93	—		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	Bronze medal	3rd	4	1	2	1	9	14
1969	Group stage	5th	5	1	1	3	13	13
1971	Silver medal	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	Bronze medal	3rd	6	3	3	0	23	3
2007	Bronze medal	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 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 Wantok Cup record Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA 2008 Runners-up 2nd 2 1 0 1 3 3 2011 (Informal) Runners-up 2nd 2 0 1 1 1 2 2011 (Informal) 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 15 November 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	37	11	7	19	41	83	−42	29.73
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	15	1	0	14	11	73	−62	6.67
Papua New Guinea	23	9	5	9	33	29	+4	39.13
Samoa[a]	6	6	0	0	40	2	+38	100.00
Solomon Islands	36	7	7	22	38	78	−40	19.44
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	214	68	29	117	384	463	−79	31.78

Source: 1951–July 1980 results and July 1980–present results.
Notes:

1. Includes results as Western Samoa.

Honours

Major competitions

• OFC Nations Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 2024

Regional

• Pacific Games
  • Silver medal (1): 1971
  • Bronze medal (3): 1966, 2003, 2007
• Melanesia Cup
  • Champions (1): 1990
  • Runners-up (1): 1998
  • Third place (3): 1988, 2000, 2023
• Wantok Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 2008

Summary

Competition				Total
OFC Nations Cup	0	1	0	1
Total	0	1	0	1

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:^{[11][12][13][14][15][16][17]}

See also

• Vanuatu national under-15 football team
• Vanuatu national under-17 football team
• Vanuatu national under-20 football team
• Vanuatu national under-23 football team
• Vanuatu women's national football team
• Vanuatu women's national under-20 football team