Tahiti is the largest island of the Windward group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia. It is located in the central part of the Pacific Ocean and the nearest major landmass is Australia. Divided into two parts, Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti, the island was formed from volcanic activity; it is high and mountainous with surrounding coral reefs. Its population was 189,517 in 2017, making it by far the most populous island in French Polynesia and accounting for 68.7% of its total population; the 2022 Census recorded a population of 191,779.
The Tahiti men's national football team represents French Polynesia and is controlled by the Fédération Tahitienne de Football. The team consists of a selection of players from French Polynesia, not just Tahiti, and has competed in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) since 1990.
The Tahiti national rugby union team is a third tier rugby union team, representing the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France. They first played in 1971 and have played numerous games to date, most against rivals Cook Islands and several against Niue. Other games have been played against Samoa, Wallis and Futuna, Papua New Guinea and Tonga. France played a match against Tahiti at the end of their 1979 tour and won 92–12. Plans to have annual "test" match series against Pacific island neighbours, New Caledonia have been put on hold, due to time, availability, finances, and coaching and refereeing resources. They have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup. Rugby union in Tahiti is administered by the Fédération Tahitienne de Rugby de Polynésie Française. Currently, players who have represented or played for the Tahiti national rugby team, are eligible to represent France. However, playing at a professional level can only enable this. At present there are several Tahitian professional rugby players abroad in France's Top 14 and Pro D2 professional competition.
Marama Vahirua is a Tahitian former professional footballer who played as a striker. He spent most of his career in France before finishing his professional career in Greece with Panthrakikos F.C. In July 2018, he became president of Tahitian club A.S. Dragon. Between 2013 and 2014, he was the technical director of the Tahitian Football Federation.
The Order of Tahiti Nui was established on 5 June 1996 by the Assembly of French Polynesia to reward distinguished merit and achievements in the service to French Polynesia.
Xavier Samin is a French former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for AS Tefana and AS Dragon in the Tahiti Division Fédérale and the Tahiti national team.
Vetea Angelo Tchen is a Tahitian footballer who plays as a defender. He currently plays for Tefana in the Tahiti Division Fédérale and the Tahiti national football team.
Daniel Teva Zaveroni in Tahiti is a footballer who plays as a midfielder. He previously played for AS Taravao and AS Pirae. He currently plays for AS Pirae in the Tahiti Division Fédérale and the Tahiti national football team.
Jonathan Tehau is a Tahitian footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder for A.S. Central Sport. He is the brother of twins Lorenzo Tehau and Alvin Tehau and cousin of Teaonui Tehau, all playing for Tahiti national team. He made 26 appearances for the Tahiti national team scoring five goals.
Vincent Simon Lo-Shing is a soccer player from Tahiti currently playing for A.S. Pirae and for the Tahiti national football team. He made his debut for the national team on 2004 against Cook Islands.
Naea Tommy Irving Bennett is a French Polynesian former footballer, politician, and former Cabinet Minister. He last played as a striker for AS Pirae and also represented the Tahiti national beach soccer team. He is son of Erroll Bennett, a former Tahitian footballer who was runner-up at 1973 and 1980 OFC Nations Cup.
Gilbert Meriel is a soccer player from Tahiti currently playing for A.S. Vénus and for the Tahiti national football team. He was part of the Tahitian squad at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.
Raimana John Li Fung Kuee is a Tahitian footballer and beach soccer player currently playing for A.S. Pirae, where he plays as a striker.
The Tahiti national under-20 football team is the national U-20 team of Tahiti and is controlled by the Tahitian Football Federation.
The 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Final was the last match of the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup which took place on May 7, 2017 at the National Beach Soccer Arena in Nassau, the Bahamas. The final was contested between Tahiti, who had previously competed in one World Cup final, the last World Cup final in 2015 which they lost to Portugal, and Brazil, who were back into a World Cup final after their last appearance six years ago in 2011, their sixth FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup final and their 15th overall when taking into account the pre-FIFA era Beach Soccer World Championships, beating the defending champions Portugal on their way to this year's final.
The 2019 OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup was the sixth edition of the OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup, the premier beach soccer tournament contested by Oceanian men's national teams, organised by the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). The competition returns after a six-year absence.
Beach Soccer Stars is an annual award ceremony in beach soccer organised by the sport's developmental body, Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW).
Heimanu Philippe Taiarui is a beach soccer and association football player from French Polynesia who plays as a defender. He has appeared at six editions of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup representing the Tahitian national team, finishing as a runner-up twice ; at the former, he won the Golden Ball award.
Angelo Schirinzi is a beach soccer player and coach. He is Coach of Switzerland national beach soccer team, and the former Tahiti national beach soccer team Coach 2012-2015. He is the main developer of beach soccer in Switzerland.
Ariitu Reynald Temarii is a former French Polynesian footballer, sports administrator, politician, and Cabinet Minister who served in the cabinet of Gaston Flosse. From 2004 to 2010 he was president of the Oceania Football Confederation, and from 2007 to 2010 a vice-president of FIFA. He is the father of politician Nahema Temarii.
