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Tonga

Nickname(s)	Tu’Ulalupe
Association	Tonga Football Association
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	199 (19 December 2024)
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)

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.

History

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (June 2022)

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.

Team image

Kit sponsorship

Kit supplier	Period
Lotto	2007–2013
	2013–2017
Lotto	2018–

Fixtures and results

2023

27 November 2023 2023 Pacific Games	Tonga	0–4	Tuvalu	Honiara, Solomon Islands
13:00				Stadium: SIFF Academy Field

30 November 2023 2023 Pacific Games	American Samoa	2–6	Tonga	Honiara, Solomon Islands
10:00				Stadium: SIFF Academy Field

2024

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)

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

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

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

9 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Tonga	1–2 (a.e.t.)	Samoa	Apia, Samoa
15:00 UTC+13	Sonasi 45+1'		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.

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 25)	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 21)	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 20)	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 23)	2	1	Manukau United
	2DF	Utu'one Lea'aetoa	(2005-02-16) 16 February 2005 (age 19)	1	0	Veitongo
	3MF	Fineasi Palei	(1989-05-20) 20 May 1989 (age 35)	12	0	Launceston City
	3MF	Christopher Kefu	(2003-02-11) 11 February 2003 (age 21)	6	1	Veitongo
	3MF	Ulafala Sonasi	(2007-07-28) 28 July 2007 (age 17)	4	1	Marist
	3MF	Topuluka Tuamoheloa		3	0	Lower Hutt City
	3MF	Va'inga Teu	(2006-02-12) 12 February 2006 (age 18)	2	0	Fahefa
	3MF	Tomasi Armitage	(2005-05-26) 26 May 2005 (age 19)	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 21)	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 27)	17	4	Veitongo
	4FW	Lisiate Feke	(2004-03-25) 25 March 2004 (age 20)	8	0	Veitongo
	4FW	Amoni Fifita	(2004-06-26) 26 June 2004 (age 20)	8	3	Makave
	4FW	Vilikisepi Tai	(2006-02-24) 24 February 2006 (age 18)	4	0	Fahefa
	4FW	Viliami Tukia	(2001-01-07) 7 January 2001 (age 23)	2	0	Lami
	4FW	Ata Inia	(2000-04-25) 25 April 2000 (age 24)	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 21)	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 17)	2	0	Nukuhetulu	v.  Samoa; 9 September 2024
DF	Laulea Taufa	(1999-07-14) 14 July 1999 (age 25)	11	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
DF	Sione Talia'uli	(2006-05-29) 29 May 2006 (age 18)	2	0	Fasi-Moe-Afi	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
DF	Sione Tu’ifangaloka	(1999-04-24) 24 April 1999 (age 25)	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 40)	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 24)	6	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
MF	Mohammed Rajani	(1999-04-19) 19 April 1999 (age 25)	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 20)	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 42)	0	0	Unattached	v.  Samoa; 9 September 2024
FW	Elias Kendler		4	1	Haʻamoko United Youth	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
FW	Feki Tufi	(2000-04-11) 11 April 2000 (age 24)	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

Players in bold are still active with Tonga.

Most appearances

Top goalscorers

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	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	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

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:

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

References

1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
2. Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 25 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
3. "Antigo(a) Tonga camisas de futebol". Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
4. "Cook Islands vs Tonga". Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
5. "Cook Islands vs Tonga". Oceania Football Confederation. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
6. "Tonga vs Samoa". Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
7. "Tonga vs Samoa". Oceania Football Confederation. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
8. "Tuʻulalupe Squad". Facebook. Tonga Football.
9. "Tonga". National Football Teams.
10. "2001".
11. "2001".
12. "2009".
13. "2009".
14. "2011".
15. "2011".
16. "2015".
17. "2015".
18. "2017".
19. "2017".
20. "2019".
21. "2019".
22. "2023". YouTube. 18 November 2023.

External links

• Tonga at OFC
• Tonga at FIFA

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