Vanuatu national football team
National association football team representing Vanuatu

Vanuatu
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)The Men in Black and Gold
AssociationVanuatu Football Federation (VFF)
ConfederationOFC (Oceania)
Head coachLars Hopp
CaptainBrian Kaltak
Most capsKensi Tangis (39)
Top scorerRichard Iwai (20)[1]
Home stadiumPort Vila Municipal Stadium
FIFA codeVAN
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 160 Steady (22 December 2025)[2]
Highest131 (October 2007)
Lowest201 (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
Appearances10 (first in 1973)
Best resultRunners-up (2024)
Pacific Games
Appearances15 (first in 1963)
Best resultRunners-up (1971)
Melanesia Cup / MSG Prime Minister's Cup
Appearances11 (first in 1988)
Best resultMelanesia Cup: Champions
(1990)
MSG Prime Minister's Cup: Champions
(2025)
Wantok Cup
Appearances3 (first in 2008)
Best resultChampions (2011)

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.[5]

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.[6][7]

Vanuatu then won the 2025 MSG Prime Minister's Cup.[8]

Team image

Kit sponsorship

Kit provider[9] Period
Italy Lotto 2011–2012
Australia Veto 2013
United States Nike 2014
Vanuatu Best Promotions 2015
New Zealand Pasifika 2016–2019
Australia KPI Sports 2019–2022
Italy Macron 2022–2023
Italy Lotto 2023–2024
China Cikers 2024–

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

2025

Papua New Guinea development team  v  Vanuatu
11 November 2025 MSG Prime Minister's Cup Papua New Guinea development team  1–1  Vanuatu Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
16:00 UTC+10
  • Moses 73'
 Report
Stadium: Sir John Guise Stadium
Vanuatu  v  Fiji
17 November 2025 MSG Prime Minister's Cup Vanuatu  2–0  Fiji Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
16:00 UTC+10
  • K. Kaltack 50'
  • Iawak 62' (pen.)
 Report Stadium: PNG Football Stadium
Vanuatu  v  Solomon Islands
20 November 2025 MSG Prime Minister's Cup semi-final Vanuatu  2–1  Solomon Islands Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
19:00 UTC+10
  • Andrew 32'
  • Loloa 40'
 Report
  • Supa 44'
 Stadium: PNG Football Stadium
Papua New Guinea  v  Vanuatu
23 November 2025 MSG Prime Minister's Cup final Papua New Guinea  2–2
(4–5 p)		  Vanuatu Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
15:00 UTC+10
Report
Stadium: Sir John Guise Stadium

Coaching staff

Position Name
Head coach Germany Lars Hopp
Assistant coach Vanuatu Pinto Duro
Assistant coach Vanuatu François Sakama
Team Manager Vanuatu Peter Takaro
Goalkeeper coach Vanuatu Jimmy Obed
Assistant Goalkeeper coach Vanuatu Jean Yves Galinie
Physio Vanuatu Albert Lata

Coaching history

New Hebrides

  • P. Reichert (1973–1987)

Vanuatu

Players

Current squad

The following 23 players were called up for the PacificAus Sports Football Series in September 2024.[10]

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) 26 August 2002 (age 23) 8 0 Vanuatu Football Federation Erakor Gold Star
1GK Anthony Quai 0 0 Vanuatu Football Federation Penama
1GK Dick Sablan (1996-12-23) 23 December 1996 (age 29) 0 0 Vanuatu Football Federation Ifira Black Bird
2DF Michel Coulon (1995-12-03) 3 December 1995 (age 30) 17 1 Vanuatu Football Federation Vanuatu United
2DF Timothy Boulet (1998-11-29) 29 November 1998 (age 27) 15 0 Vanuatu Football Federation Ifira Black Bird
2DF Selwym Vatu (1998-06-13) 13 June 1998 (age 27) 13 0 Vanuatu Football Federation ABM Galaxy
2DF Tasso Jeffrey (1998-08-12) 12 August 1998 (age 27) 12 0 Football Australia Western Strikers
2DF Jacques Wanemut (1992-02-02) 2 February 1992 (age 33) 4 0 Vanuatu Football Federation Ifira Black Bird
2DF Zidane Maguekon (2000-06-03) 3 June 2000 (age 25) 1 0 Vanuatu Football Federation Classic
2DF Thomas Salemu 0 0 Vanuatu Football Federation Ifira Black Bird
2DF Joshua Tokio (2001-04-04) 4 April 2001 (age 24) 0 0 Vanuatu Football Federation Ifira Black Bird
3MF John Alick (1991-04-25) 25 April 1991 (age 34) 25 0 Papua New Guinea Football Association PNG Hekari
3MF John Wohale (1997-07-09) 9 July 1997 (age 28) 17 1 Vanuatu Football Federation Ifira Black Bird
3MF Jared Clark (1998-01-21) 21 January 1998 (age 27) 8 0 Football Australia FK Beograd
3MF Harry Norman (2003-12-31) 31 December 2003 (age 22) 8 1 Vanuatu Football Federation Exe Green Rovers
3MF Alick Worworbu (1997-08-27) 27 August 1997 (age 28) 4 0 Vanuatu Football Federation Yatel
4FW Alex Saniel (1996-11-08) 8 November 1996 (age 29) 23 1 Vanuatu Football Federation Vanuatu United
4FW Johnathan Spokeyjack (1998-11-13) 13 November 1998 (age 27) 16 2 Vanuatu Football Federation Ifira Black Bird
4FW Godine Tenene (1998-05-03) 3 May 1998 (age 27) 16 3 Vanuatu Football Federation Ifira Black Bird
4FW Tony Kaltak (1996-11-05) 5 November 1996 (age 29) 16 15 Vanuatu Football Federation Erakor Gold Star
4FW Jean Kaltak (1994-08-19) 19 August 1994 (age 31) 8 9 Vanuatu Football Federation Erakor Gold Star
4FW Tonly Kalotang (1997-05-19) 19 May 1997 (age 28) 2 0 Vanuatu Football Federation Ifira Black Bird
4FW Jordy Tasip (2000-07-14) 14 July 2000 (age 25) 0 0 Vanuatu Football Federation Vanuatu United

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) 25 January 1997 (age 28) 4 0 Vanuatu Tafea 2024 OFC Nations Cup
GK Dgen Leo (2000-08-06) 6 August 2000 (age 25) 3 0 Vanuatu Classic 2024 OFC Nations Cup
GK Joshua Willie (2000-06-13) 13 June 2000 (age 25) 2 0 Vanuatu ABM Galaxy 2024 FIFA Series
GK Anthony Taiwia (1994-09-04) 4 September 1994 (age 31) 0 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird 2023 Pacific Games
DF Brian Kaltak (1993-09-30) 30 September 1993 (age 32) 30 5 Australia Perth Glory 2024 OFC Nations Cup
DF Jason Thomas (1997-01-20) 20 January 1997 (age 28) 27 1 Vanuatu Vanuatu United 2024 OFC Nations Cup
DF Lency Philip (1997-06-08) 8 June 1997 (age 28) 12 0 Vanuatu Classic 2024 OFC Nations Cup
DF Kerry Iawak (1996-03-16) 16 March 1996 (age 29) 5 0 Vanuatu Vanuatu United 2024 OFC Nations Cup
DF Samuel Kaloros (1989-09-16) 16 September 1989 (age 36) 4 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird 2024 FIFA Series
DF Joseph Kalotiti 1 0 Vanuatu Pango Green Bird 2024 FIFA Series
DF Bethuel Ollie (1997-08-19) 19 August 1997 (age 28) 2 0 Vanuatu North Efate United 2023 Pacific Games
MF Bong Kalo (1997-01-18) 18 January 1997 (age 28) 27 4 Vanuatu ABM Galaxy 2024 OFC Nations Cup
MF Claude Aru (1997-04-25) 25 April 1997 (age 28) 14 1 Vanuatu North Efate United 2024 OFC Nations Cup
MF Barry Mansale (1995-11-01) 1 November 1995 (age 30) 11 1 Vanuatu Yatel 2024 OFC Nations Cup
MF Raoul Coulon (1995-12-03) 3 December 1995 (age 30) 3 0 Vanuatu Vanuatu United 2023 Pacific Games
MF Jean Taussi (1996-07-17) 17 July 1996 (age 29) 3 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird 2023 Pacific Games
MF Lee Taiwia (1995-12-23) 23 December 1995 (age 30) 0 0 Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird 2023 Pacific Games
FW Kensi Tangis (1991-12-19) 19 December 1991 (age 34) 36 9 Vanuatu ABM Galaxy 2024 OFC Nations Cup
FW Joe Moses (2002-05-22) 22 May 2002 (age 23) 9 2 Vanuatu ABM Galaxy 2024 OFC Nations Cup
FW Maliwan Thomas (2005-01-26) 26 January 2005 (age 20) 1 0 Vanuatu 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 Vanuatu Vanuatu United 2023 Pacific Games

Player records

As of 21 December 2024[11]
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
New Zealand 1973 Fourth place 4th 5 1 1 3 5 10 Squad No qualification
New Caledonia 1980 Group stage 7th 3 0 0 3 6 9 N/a
as Vanuatu
1996 Did not qualify 4 0 1 3 5 12
Australia 1998 Group stage 5th 2 0 0 2 2 13 Squad 4 2 1 1 8 6
French Polynesia 2000 Fourth place 4th 4 1 0 3 5 8 Squad 4 2 0 2 12 7
New Zealand 2002 Fourth place 4th 5 2 0 3 2 6 Squad Qualified automatically
Australia 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
Solomon Islands 2012 Group stage 5th 3 1 0 2 8 9 Squad Qualified automatically
Papua New Guinea 2016 7th 3 1 0 2 3 8 Squad
Fiji Vanuatu 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
Fiji 1963 Group stage 6th 1 0 0 1 3 6
New Caledonia 1966 Bronze medal 3rd 4 1 2 1 9 14
Papua New Guinea 1969 Group stage 5th 5 1 1 3 13 13
French Polynesia 1971 Silver medal 2nd 4 2 1 1 9 12
Guam 1975 Group stage 5th 2 0 0 2 1 6
Fiji 1979 Fifth place 5th 6 4 0 2 19 6
as Vanuatu
Samoa 1983 Group stage 6th 1 0 0 1 0 6
New Caledonia 1987 Fourth place 4th 6 2 1 3 16 13
Papua New Guinea 1991 Fourth place 4th 5 2 0 3 9 8
French Polynesia 1995 Fourth place 4th 5 2 0 3 10 9
Fiji 2003 Bronze medal 3rd 6 3 3 0 23 3
Samoa 2007 Bronze medal 3rd 6 4 0 2 25 6
New Caledonia 2011 Group stage 6th 5 4 0 1 18 7
Papua New Guinea 2015 See Vanuatu national under-23 football team
Samoa 2019 Group stage 5th 4 2 1 1 25 2
Solomon Islands 2023 Semi-finals 4th 4 1 1 2 9 6
Total 15/15 0 Titles 64 28 10 26 189 117

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

Continental

Regional

Summary

Competition 1st place, gold medalist(s) 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 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:[12][13][14][15][16][17][18]

See also

References

  1. ^ Mamrud, Roberto; Stokkermans, Karel. "Players with 100+ Caps and 30+ International Goals". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  2. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 22 December 2025. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  3. ^ "Vanuatu (New Hebrides) – List of International matches". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  4. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 10 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  5. ^ Sarkar, Uttiyo (4 June 2023). "Hero Intercontinental Cup Rival Watch: Vanuatu". khelnow.com. Khel Now India. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  6. ^ "New Zealand vs Vanuatu: live 29 june 2024. Team News, Preview, Lineups, Streaming, Sopcast | Soccer365". soccer365.me. Retrieved 8 July 2024.[dead link]
  7. ^ "New Zealand win record sixth OFC Nations Cup title". FIFA.com. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Vanuatu Stun PNG in Port Moresby to Claim First-Ever MSG Cup Crown". news.pngfacts.com. 23 November 2025. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  9. ^ "Antigo(a) Vanuatu camisas de futebol". Archived from the original on 14 June 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  10. ^ "Head Coach Juliano Schmeling 23-man squad for the PacificAus Sports Football Series". Twitter. Vanuatu Football Federation. 28 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Vanuatu". National Football Teams.
  12. ^ "ANOTANDO FÚTBOL - VANUATU". 2023.
  13. ^ "2007".
  14. ^ "2011".
  15. ^ "2012". YouTube. 5 June 2012.
  16. ^ "2017". Loop Vanuatu. 29 November 2017. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  17. ^ "2019". 6 March 2020.
  18. ^ "2024".

Notes

  • Vanuafoot – Vanuatu Football Federation Official site
  • Vanuatu at OFC
  • Vanuatu at FIFA
  • Vanuatu Football Federation Official Blog site
  • VFFFoot.over-nlog.com
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