Tahiti national football team

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.^[8]

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.^[9] 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.^[10]

2013 Confederations Cup

By winning the 2012 OFC Nations Cup, Tahiti qualified for the 2013 Confederations Cup, held in Brazil, for the first time.^[11] Tahiti is the first – and, following the tournament's abolition, only – team which participated in the Confederations Cup but has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup. 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.^[12] On 20 June, Tahiti lost 10–0 against Spain to equal their largest ever loss against New Zealand nine years earlier.^[13] On 23 June 2013, Tahiti was beaten 8–0 by Uruguay.^[14]

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.^[15] 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.^[16] 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.^[17]

2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC)

After two matches canceled due to COVID-19, the Tahitians have finally returned to the qualifying tournament for the World Cup in Qatar. Unfortunately, the Toa Aito couldn't beat Solomon Islands and finished second in Group A. Solomon Islands led in the score in the 20th minute, the Tahitians came back into the match thanks to Alvin Tehau's equalizer 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.^[18]

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 Oceania 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.^[19]

Kit sponsorship

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

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

2023

Tahiti  v  New Caledonia

20 March Friendly	Tahiti	0–2	New Caledonia	Pirae, Tahiti
20:00 UTC−10		Report	Makalu 69' Rokuad 88'	Stadium: Stade Pater Te Hono Nui

Tahiti  v  New Caledonia

23 March Friendly	Tahiti	2–1	New Caledonia	Pirae, Tahiti
	Tinirauarii 30', 76'		Makalu 33'	Stadium: Stade Pater Te Hono Nui

Tahiti  v  Cook Islands

28 August Friendly	Tahiti	9–1	Cook Islands	Pirae, Tahiti
20:00 UTC−10	Tau 24' Kaspard 29' Tehau 37' Horoi 42' Paama 52' Keck 55', 87', 89' Gitton 76'	Report	Enoka 74'	Stadium: Stade Pater Te Hono Nui

Cook Islands  v  Tahiti

31 August Friendly	Cook Islands	0–3	Tahiti	Pirae, Tahiti
20:00 UTC−10		Report	Keck 24' Kaspard 32' Morgant 45+1'	Stadium: Stade Pater Te Hono Nui

2024

Tahiti  v  Samoa

16 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup	Tahiti	v	Samoa	Luganville, Vanuatu
				Stadium: Luganville Soccer Stadium

Papua New Guinea  v  Tahiti

19 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup	Papua New Guinea	v	Tahiti	Luganville, Vanuatu
				Stadium: Luganville Soccer Stadium

Fiji  v  Tahiti

22 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup	Fiji	v	Tahiti	Luganville, Vanuatu
				Stadium: Luganville Soccer Stadium

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2023 Pacific Games.^[20]

Caps and goals correct as of 1 September 2023, after the match against  Cook Islands.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Tevaearai Tamatai	(2001-01-15) 15 January 2001 (age 23)	0	0	Vénus
16	1GK	Teave Teamotuaitau	(1992-04-17) 17 April 1992 (age 32)	11	0	Vénus
23	1GK	Moana Pito	(2000-01-25) 25 January 2000 (age 24)	2	0	Tefana
2	2DF	Mauri Heitaa	(1999-07-31) 31 July 1999 (age 24)	1	0	Vénus
3	2DF	Téva Lossec	(2002-12-03) 3 December 2002 (age 21)	0	0	Campbell Fighting Camels
5	2DF	François Hapipi	(1999-03-10) 10 March 1999 (age 25)	4	0	Tefana
7	2DF	Marama Amau	(1991-01-13) 13 January 1991 (age 33)	10	0	Vénus
18	2DF	Terai Bremond	(2001-05-16) 16 May 2001 (age 22)	4	0	Vénus
19	2DF	Keanu Vernaudon	(2002-10-18) 18 October 2002 (age 21)	0	0	Tefana
4	3MF	Kavai'ei Morgant	(2001-10-08) 8 October 2001 (age 22)	3	1	Tefana
8	3MF	Roonui Tehau	(1999-12-15) 15 December 1999 (age 24)	6	1	Vénus
9	3MF	Tauhiti Keck	(1994-08-01) 1 August 1994 (age 29)	10	6	Vénus
13	3MF	Honoura Maraetefau	(2002-07-27) 27 July 2002 (age 21)	3	0	Tefana
14	3MF	Frank Papaura	(2005-04-06) 6 April 2005 (age 19)	1	0	Pueu
17	3MF	Paolo Hausner	(2002-02-21) 21 February 2002 (age 22)	0	0	FCM Troyes
20	3MF	Eddy Kaspard	(2001-05-27) 27 May 2001 (age 22)	4	2	Tefana
21	3MF	Matéo Degrumelle	(2003-08-22) 22 August 2003 (age 20)	0	0	Le Havre B
6	4FW	Manuarii Shan	(2004-02-23) 23 February 2004 (age 20)	1	0	Vénus
10	4FW	Teaonui Tehau	(1992-09-01) 1 September 1992 (age 31)	36	24	Vénus
11	4FW	Roonui Tinirauarii	(1997-03-14) 14 March 1997 (age 27)	3	2	Dragon
12	4FW	Raimana Tetuanui	(1994-01-01) 1 January 1994 (age 30)	2	0	Pueu
15	4FW	Tauatua Lucas	(1994-11-23) 23 November 1994 (age 29)	2	0	Tefana

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up to the Tahiti squad within the last twelve months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Anapa Debruyne	(2003-09-22) 22 September 2003 (age 20)	0	0	Dragon	v.  New Caledonia; 23 March 2023
DF	Matatia Paama	(1992-10-03) 3 October 1992 (age 31)	15	1	Pirae	v.  Cook Islands; 1 September 2023
DF	Kévin Barbe	(1997-09-02) 2 September 1997 (age 26)	10	1	Vénus	v.  New Caledonia; 23 March 2023
DF	Taumihau Tiatia	(1991-07-25) 25 July 1991 (age 32)	7	0	Pirae	v.  New Caledonia; 23 March 2023
DF	Hennel Tehaamoana	(1999-04-12) 12 April 1999 (age 25)	2	0	Free agent	v.  New Caledonia; 23 March 2023
DF	Tevaitini Teumere	(2003-04-02) 2 April 2003 (age 21)	2	0	Pirae	v.  New Caledonia; 23 March 2023
DF	Tevaihau Tehuritaua	(1990-03-04) 4 March 1990 (age 34)	0	0	Dragon	v.  New Caledonia; 23 March 2023
DF	Teiki Vaea	(1995-09-01) 1 September 1995 (age 28)	0	0	Dragon	v.  New Caledonia; 23 March 2023
MF	Louis Gitton	(2002-04-02) 2 April 2002 (age 22)	5	1	Pirae	v.  Cook Islands; 1 September 2023
MF	Heimano Bourebare	(1989-05-15) 15 May 1989 (age 34)	30	1	Pirae	v.  New Caledonia; 23 March 2023
MF	Tehauarii Holozet	(2002-06-03) 3 June 2002 (age 21)	0	0	Tefana	v.  New Caledonia; 23 March 2023
MF	Ariiura Labaste	(2002-07-26) 26 July 2002 (age 21)	0	0	Pirae	v.  New Caledonia; 23 March 2023
FW	Sandro Tau	(1997-04-30) 30 April 1997 (age 26)	8	2	Pirae	v.  Cook Islands; 1 September 2023
FW	Benoit Mathon	(1989-04-05) 5 April 1989 (age 35)	0	0	Pirae	v.  New Caledonia; 23 March 2023

As of 30 November 2023^[21]

Players in bold are still active with Tahiti.

FIFA World Cup

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 1954		Did not exist									Did not exist
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										9	4	0	5	20	17
2018	Russia										7	3	2	2	14	7
2022	Qatar										2	0	0	2	1	4
2026	Canada  Mexico  United States	To be determined									To be determined
2030	Morocco  Portugal  Spain
2034	Saudi Arabia
Total			0/8								43	15	8	20	65	85

FIFA Confederations Cup

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

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
1973	Runners-up	2nd	5	2	2	1	7	4	Squad		No qualification
1980	Runners-up	2nd	4	3	0	1	23	9	—
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		Qualified as host
2002	Third place	3rd	5	3	0	2	8	9	Squad		Qualified automatically
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		Qualified automatically
2016	Group stage	5th	3	1	2	0	7	3	Squad
2024	Qualifield
Total	1 Title	9/10	37	18	5	14	80	81	—		15	10	3	2	44	9

Polynesia Cup

Polynesia Cup record
Year	Round	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

• OFC Nations Cup
  • Champions (1): 2012
  • Runner-up (3): 1973, 1980, 1996
  • Third place (1): 2002
• Pacific Games
  • Champions (5): 1966, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1995

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Sources:^{[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]}

• Tahiti national rugby union team

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tahiti national football team.

• Official Web Site
• Tahiti at OFC
• Tahiti at FIFA