Tahiti national football team

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

Tahiti

Nickname(s)	Toa Aito (Les guerriers de fer; Iron Warriors)
Association	Fédération Tahitienne de Football (FTF)
Confederation	OFC (Oceania)
Head coach	Joël Fréchet
Captain	Teaonui Tehau
Most caps	Teaonui Tehau (49)
Top scorer	Teaonui Tehau (31)
Home stadium	Stade Pater Te Hono Nui
FIFA code	TAH
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	157 (19 January 2026) [1]
Highest	111 (August 2002)
Lowest	196 (April–May 2016)
First international
French Polynesia 2–2 New Zealand   (Papeete, Tahiti; 21 September 1952)
Biggest win
Tahiti 30–0 Cook Islands   (Papeete, Tahiti; 2 September 1971)
Biggest defeat
New Zealand 10–0 Tahiti   (Adelaide, Australia; 4 June 2004)   Spain 10–0 Tahiti   (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 20 June 2013)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances	10 (first in 1973 )
Best result	Champions (2012)
Pacific Games
Appearances	16 (first in 1963 )
Best result	Champions (1966, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1995)
Confederations Cup
Appearances	1 (first in 2013 )
Best result	Group stage (2013)

The Tahiti national football team (French : Équipe de football de Tahiti; Tahitian : Te pŭpŭ tu'e popo a te fenua Tahiti) represents French Polynesia ^{[2] [3] [4] [5]} in men's international football, and is controlled by the Tahitian Football Federation. The team consists of a selection of players from French Polynesia, including Tahiti; they have competed in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) since 1990.

Tahiti is traditionally one of the stronger footballing nations of the Pacific Islands, with the second-best record at the Pacific Games, winning five gold medals. They were runners-up in the first three editions of the OFC Nations Cup (1973, 1980, 1996). Tahiti eventually won the competition in 2012, becoming the first team other than Australia and New Zealand to win the title. The feat qualified Tahiti to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup held in Brazil.

History

Tahiti played its first full match on 21 September 1952, at home against New Zealand, drawing 2–2. Seven days later, the two teams played again and New Zealand won 5–3. On 30 September, they played each other for a third time, and Tahiti gained its first victory, by 2–0. However, it is unknown whether this was a full international match. ^[6]

In September 1953, Tahiti played three matches in New Caledonia against its national side, losing the first 5–0 and the later two 4–1. They then travelled to the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu) and beat its national side 4–2 twice. In 1969, touring World Champions England beat Tahiti 4–1 in an exhibition match. ^[7] In 1989, under the leadership of Napoleon Spitz, the official federation was created.

Tahiti entered its first World Cup qualification with the aim of reaching the 1994 World Cup, held in the United States. They were placed in Group A alongside Australia and the Solomon Islands, and played their first match away to the Solomon Islands in Honiara on 11 July 1992. Eric Etaeta equalised for Tahiti to make it 1–1 in the 76th minute. On 11 September, Tahiti hosted Australia in Papeete and lost 3–0. The next fixture was again against Australia, and resulted in a 2–0 away defeat in Brisbane on 20 September. On 9 October, in Papeete, Tahiti defeated the Solomon Islands 4–2. Tahiti's first goal was scored as an 8th-minute penalty from Reynald Temarii, a politician and current president of the OFC. However, Tahiti finished second to Australia in the group and did not advance.

2012 OFC Nations Cup

In 2012, the new edition of the tournament occurred in the Solomon Islands with the host country, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Tahiti, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Samoa (winner of the qualifying tournament) playing the competition. Tahiti defeated New Caledonia in the final in Lawson Tama Stadium 1–0 with a goal by Steevy Chong Hue and became the first team other than Australia (no longer part of OFC) and New Zealand to be crowned Oceania champions. ^[8]

2013 Confederations Cup

Tahiti players playing against 2010 FIFA World Cup champions Spain

By winning the 2012 OFC Nations Cup, Tahiti qualified for the 2013 Confederations Cup, held in Brazil, for the first time. ^[9] On 17 June 2013, Tahiti lost 1–6 to Nigeria in the 2013 Confederations Cup in Belo Horizonte, with Jonathan Tehau scoring the goal for Tahiti in the second half with a header from a corner; Tahiti fans still rejoiced in the prospect of scoring a goal in an international tournament. ^[10] On 20 June, Tahiti lost 10–0 against Spain to equal their largest ever lost against New Zealand nine years earlier. ^[11] On 23 June 2013, Tahiti was beaten 8–0 by Uruguay. ^[12]

In all, Tahiti conceded 24 goals and scored 1 to end with a goal differential of −23, the worst of any national team in any major competition. ^[13] However, even with the poor record and heavy defeats, Tahiti's underdog qualities gathered significant respect from the people of Brazil, who always cheered for them in every match. ^[14] Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque, and strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa  – who scored four and three goals respectively against Tahiti – complimented the team's fair play. ^[15]

2022 World Cup qualification

After two matches were cancelled due to COVID-19, the Tahitians returned to the qualifying tournament for the World Cup in Qatar. The Toa Aito lost to Solomon Islands and finished second in Group A. Solomon Islands led in the score in the 20th minute, the Tahitians equalised the score when Alvin Tehau scored in the 26th minute. Solomon Islands then made the difference on the return from the half on a lightning counterattack before taking the lead more widely at the end of the match 1–3. ^[16]

Rivalries

A historical sporting rivalry exists between the two French Pacific overseas collectivities, Tahiti and New Caledonia. 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 ]}

Team image

Kit sponsorship

Kit supplier	Period
Adidas	2000–2003
Lotto	2004–2012
Nike	2013–2021
Macron	2022–2023
Puma	2024–present

Results and fixtures

See also: Tahiti 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

2025

New Caledonia   v   Tahiti

21 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers R3	New Caledonia	3–0	Tahiti	Wellington, New Zealand
15:00  UTC+13	Gope-Fenepej 50', 76' Waya 90+1'	Report		Stadium: Sky Stadium Attendance: 1,948 Referee: CK Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand)

Coaching history

• Freddy Vernaudon (1973)
• Richard Van Sam (1980)
• François Ferez (1992)
• Bernard Vahirua (1992)
• Umberto Mottini (1995–1996)
• Gerard Kautai (1996)
• Richard Van Sam (1997)
• Alain Rousseau (1998)
• Leon Gardikiotis (1999–2000)
• Patrick Jacquemet (2001–2003)
• Gerard Kautai (2004–2007)
• Eddy Etaeta (2010–2015)
• Ludovic Graugnard (2015–2018)
• Naea Bennett (2018–2019)
• Samuel Garcia (2019–2025)
• Joël Fréchet (2026–present)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification game against New Caledonia on 21 March 2025. ^[17]

Caps and goals correct as of 21 March 2025, after the match against New Caledonia.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1 GK	Tevaearai Tamatai	(2001-01-15) 15 January 2001 (age 25)	0	0	Vénus
16	1 GK	Teave Teamotuaitau	(1992-04-17) 17 April 1992 (age 33)	21	0	Tefana
23	1 GK	François Decoret	(1999-03-10) 10 March 1999 (age 26)	4	0	Pirae
2	2 DF	Taumihau Tiatia	(1991-07-25) 25 July 1991 (age 34)	13	0	Pirae
3	2 DF	Matatia Paama	(1992-10-03) 3 October 1992 (age 33)	22	1	Tahiti United
5	2 DF	Pothin Poma	(1997-02-13) 13 February 1997 (age 28)	5	0	Tahiti United
6	2 DF	Kévin Barbe	(1997-09-02) 2 September 1997 (age 28)	15	1	Tahiti United
12	2 DF	Mauri Heitaa	(1999-07-31) 31 July 1999 (age 26)	10	0	Tahiti United
15	2 DF	François Hapipi	(1999-03-10) 10 March 1999 (age 26)	10	0	Fencibles United
17	2 DF	Téva Lossec	(2002-12-03) 3 December 2002 (age 23)	13	1	Campbell Fighting Camels
21	2 DF	Matéo Degrumelle	(2003-08-22) 22 August 2003 (age 22)	12	3	Tahiti United
4	3 MF	Vahia Tetuaroa	(2000-01-05) 5 January 2000 (age 26)	0	0	Vénus
8	3 MF	Roonui Tehau	(1999-12-15) 15 December 1999 (age 26)	12	1	Tahiti United
13	3 MF	Frank Papaura	(2005-04-06) 6 April 2005 (age 20)	14	0	Pueu
14	3 MF	Mana Teniau	(2005-01-15) 15 January 2005 (age 21)	0	0	Tahiti United
18	3 MF	Tauhiti Keck	(1994-08-01) 1 August 1994 (age 31)	19	6	Vénus
19	3 MF	Manoa Flores	(2005-11-09) 9 November 2005 (age 20)	0	0	Vénus
20	3 MF	Victor Snow	(1991-10-27) 27 October 1991 (age 34)	3	0	Tefana
22	3 MF	Manuarii Shan	(2004-02-23) 23 February 2004 (age 21)	12	0	Vénus
9	4 FW	Benoît Mathon	(1989-04-05) 5 April 1989 (age 36)	4	2	Union Saint-Jean
10	4 FW	Teaonui Tehau	(1992-09-01) 1 September 1992 (age 33)	49	31	Tahiti United

• Vénus forward Eddy Kaspard was also called up. He died on 14 August 2025, aged 24.

Player records

As of 21 March 2025 ^[18]

Players in bold are still active with Tahiti.

Most appearances

Teaonui Tehau is Tahiti's top goalscorer and their most-capped player.

Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Teaonui Tehau	49	31	2011–present
2	Angelo Tchen	34	1	2001–2018
3	Heimano Bourebare	30	1	2010–2023
	Alvin Tehau	30	9	2010–present
5	Steevy Chong Hue	28	8	2010–2016
	Xavier Samin	28	0	2001–2013
7	Jonathan Tehau	26	5	2011–2017
8	Vincent Simon	25	1	2004–2016
9	Stanley Atani	24	6	2010–2019
	Tetahio Auraa	24	1	1996–2008

Top goalscorers

Rank	Player	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Teaonui Tehau	31	49	0.63	2011–present
2	Felix Tagawa	14	23	0.61	2000–2004
3	Naea Bennett	12	16	0.75	1996–2010
4	Alvin Tehau	9	30	0.3	2010–present
5	Steevy Chong Hue	8	28	0.29	2010–2016
6	Jean-Loup Rousseau	7	15	0.47	1992–2000
	Lorenzo Tehau	7	20	0.35	2010–2017
8	Tauhiti Keck	6	19	0.32	2011–present
	Stanley Atani	6	24	0.25	2010–2019
10	Roonui Tinirauarii	5	10	0.5	2022–present
	Tamatoa Tetauira	5	11	0.45	2016–2019
	Hiro Poroiae	5	12	0.42	2007–2013
	Jonathan Tehau	5	26	0.19	2011–2017

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record											Qualification record
Year	Host	Result	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1954		No national representative									No national representative
1958 to 1990		Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1994	United States	Did not qualify									4	1	1	2	5	8
1998	France										4	0	1	3	2	12
2002	South Korea Japan										4	3	0	1	14	6
2006	Germany										9	3	3	3	7	25
2010	South Africa										4	1	1	2	2	6
2014	Brazil										11	6	0	5	22	17
2018	Russia										7	3	2	2	14	7
2022	Qatar										2	0	0	2	1	4
2026	Canada Mexico United States										4	2	0	2	5	6
2030	Morocco Portugal Spain	To be determined									To be determined
2034	Saudi Arabia
Total			0/9								49	19	8	22	72	91

OFC Nations Cup

Main article: Tahiti at the OFC Nations Cup

Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record											Qualification record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1973	Runners-up	2nd	5	2	2	1	7	4	Squad		No qualifiers were held
1980	Runners-up	2nd	4	3	0	1	23	9	Squad
1996	Runners-up	2nd	4	2	0	2	3	12	Squad		3	3	0	0	10	1
1998	Fourth place	4th	4	1	0	3	8	10	Squad		4	4	0	0	27	1
2000	Group stage	5th	2	0	0	2	2	5	Squad		4	4	0	0	30	2
2002	Third place	3rd	5	3	0	2	8	9	Squad		Directly qualified
2004	Group stage	5th	5	1	1	3	2	24	Squad		4	2	2	0	5	1
2008	Did not qualify										4	1	1	2	2	6
2012	Champions	1st	5	5	0	0	20	5	Squad		Directly qualified
2016	Group stage	5th	3	1	2	0	7	3	Squad
2024	Third place	3rd	5	2	1	2	5	8	Squad
Total	1 Title	10/11	42	20	6	16	85	89	—		19	14	3	2	74	11

FIFA Confederations Cup

FIFA Confederations Cup record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad
1992 to 1995	No OFC representative invited
1997 to 2009	Did not qualify
2013	Group stage	8th	3	0	0	3	1	24	Squad
2017	Did not qualify
Total	Group stage	1/10	3	0	0	3	1	24	—

Polynesia Cup

Polynesia Cup record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1994	Champions	1st	3	3	0	0	10	1
1998	Champions	1st	4	4	0	0	27	1
2000	Champions	1st	4	4	0	0	30	2
Total	3 Titles	3/3	11	11	0	0	67	4

Pacific Games

Pacific Games record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1963	Bronze medal	3rd	2	1	0	1	19	2
1966	Gold medal	1st	4	4	0	0	14	3
1969	Silver medal	2nd	5	3	1	1	19	7
1971	Bronze medal	3rd	4	2	1	1	41	5
1975	Gold medal	1st	5	4	0	1	12	6
1979	Gold medal	1st	5	5	0	0	33	2
1983	Gold medal	1st	5	5	0	0	25	2
1987	Silver medal	2nd	5	3	1	1	9	4
1991	Group stage	6th	3	1	0	2	15	5
1995	Gold medal	1st	6	6	0	0	35	2
2003	Fourth place	4th	6	3	0	3	25	7
2007	Group stage	6th	4	1	1	2	2	6
2011	Bronze medal	3rd	6	3	1	2	28	9
2015	Silver medal	2nd	5	3	1	1	34	4
2019	Group stage	5th	5	3	0	2	19	6
2023	Group stage	5th	4	3	1	0	9	1
Total	5 Gold medals	16/16	74	50	7	17	339	71

Head-to-head record

Main article: Tahiti national football team records and statistics

Honours

Continental

• OFC Nations Cup
  • Champions (1): 2012
  • Runners-up (3): 1973, 1980, 1996
  • Third place (2): 2002, 2024

Regional

• Pacific Games
  • Gold medals (5): 1966, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1995
  • Silver medals (2): 1969, 1987
  • Bronze medals (3): 1963, 1971, 2011
• Polynesia Cup
  • Champions (3): 1994, 1998, 2000

Summary

Competition				Total
OFC Nations Cup	1	3	2	6
Total	1	3	2	6

References

1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 19 January 2026. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
2. "Trophies in paradise". The Football Ramble. 2 October 2012. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
3. "Tahiti ready for Confederations Cup". The Scotsman. 9 June 2013. Archived from the original on 3 February 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
4. "IN THE LAND OF GIANTS – Tahiti set for Confederations Cup adventure". Football Republik. 14 June 2013. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
5. "Tahiti national football team". Road To Brazil. Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
6. "Tahiti International Matches". Rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
7. "England's matches: unofficial 1946 onwards". England Football Online. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
8. "Glorious Tahiti claim maiden Oceania crown". FIFA.com. FIFA. 10 June 2012. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
9. "Proud Tahiti No1 aims to enjoy Brazil challenge". FIFA.com. FIFA. 14 March 2013. Archived from the original on 17 March 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
10. "Nigeria 6−1 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 June 2013. Archived from the original on 23 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
11. "Spain 10−0 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 20 June 2013. Archived from the original on 23 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
12. "Uruguay 8−0 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 23 June 2013. Archived from the original on 23 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
13. "FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 - Statistics - Teams - Top goals". FIFA.com. FIFA. 1 July 2013. Archived from the original on 22 September 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
14. "Técnico confirma 'carisma' do Taiti e cumprimenta jornalistas na despedida". UOL Esporte (in Portuguese). 23 June 2013. Archived from the original on 25 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
15. "Nada de pancadaria: 'fair play' do Taiti em goleada arranca elogios da Fúria". Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 21 June 2013. Archived from the original on 24 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
16. "Qatar 2022 : Tahiti s'incline 3-1 face à Salomon". TNTV News. TNTV. 24 March 2022. Archived from the original on 24 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
17. La liste officielle
18. "Tahiti". National Football Teams.

External links

• Official website
• Tahiti at OFC
• Tahiti at FIFA