Timor-Leste national football team
Men's national association football team representing Timor-Leste
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The Timor-Leste national football team (Portuguese: Seleção Timorense de Futebol) represents Timor-Leste in the senior men's international football. It is organised by the Federação de Futebol de Timor-Leste (FFTL) which is affiliated with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the regional ASEAN Football Federation (AFF). They became a member of FIFA on 12 September 2005.[3] The team's traditional home kit is primarily faded red, often paired with black shorts and sometimes accented with yellow trim. Timor-Leste are colloquially known as "Lafaek" also known as 'The Crocodiles', an animal of prominent symbolic nature to the country.
O Sol Nascente (The Rising Sun)
| Nickname(s) | Lafaek (The Crocodiles) O Sol Nascente (The Rising Sun) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Federação de Futebol de Timor-Leste (FFTL) | ||
| Confederation | AFC (Asia) | ||
| Sub-confederation | AFF (Southeast Asia) | ||
| Head coach | Zé Pedro | ||
| Captain | Gali Freitas | ||
| Most caps | Anggisu Barbosa (30) | ||
| Top scorer | João Pedro (8) | ||
| Home stadium | Municipal Stadium of Dili | ||
| FIFA code | TLS | ||
| |||
| FIFA ranking | |||
| Current | 200  2 (1 April 2026)[1] | ||
| Highest | 146 (June 2015) | ||
| Lowest | 206 (October 2012) | ||
| First international | |||
 Sri Lanka 3–2 Timor-Leste  (Colombo, Sri Lanka; 21 March 2003)[2] | |||
| Biggest win | |||
 Cambodia 1–5 Timor-Leste (Yangon, Myanmar; 5 October 2012) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
Timor-Leste 0–10 Saudi Arabia  (Dili, Timor Leste; 17 November 2015) Timor-Leste 0–10 Thailand  (Hanoi, Vietnam; 8 December 2024) | |||
| AFC Solidarity Cup | |||
| Appearances | 1 (first in 2016) | ||
| Best result | Group stage (2016) | ||
| ASEAN Championship | |||
| Appearances | 4 (first in 2004) | ||
| Best result | Group stage (2004, 2018, 2020, 2024) | ||
Timor-Leste's international debut was in the preliminary round of the 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification in March 2003, when they lost 3–2 to Sri Lanka and 3–0 to Chinese Taipei.[4] Timor-Leste won their first international match on 5 October 2012 against Cambodia with a score of 5–1.[5]
History
Early history (2003–2017)
Football was established in East Timor during the Portuguese colonial era, when many of the locals and the Portuguese officials played amateur football. After Portugal ended its colonial rule, Indonesia invaded and occupied the island, which resulted in a long running battle against Jakarta-led forces. Timor-Leste eventually gained independence from Indonesia in 2002.
The East Timor Football Federation was accepted as an associate member of AFC at the 20th AFC Congress in 2002. Their international debut came in March 2003 when they participated in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification campaign for the 2004 AFC Asian Cup in China. Given their history, it was no surprise that they crashed out with defeats against the likes of Sri Lanka and Chinese Taipei. They then entered the regional competition for the first time in 2004 as they played in the 2004 AFF Championship as an invited member. They finished in last place, showing that they had a long way to go before they could compete even on the regional stage.
They again had no success in the 2007 AFF Championship qualification, with four heavy losses, including a 7–0 trouncing by the Philippines. The following year in the 2008 AFF Championship qualification, Timor-Leste surprisingly drew against Cambodia; this feat was reported in international news.
First win
In the 2012 AFF Championship qualification, the country's football federation (FFTL) reportedly selected their foreign based players, who played in Brazil, Portugal, Australia and elsewhere, to fortify the team as they also did at the 2011 SEA Games.[6]
On 5 October 2012, Timor-Leste won their first international match in a 5–1 victory against Cambodia with goals coming from Murilo de Almeida who scored a brace, Adelino Trindade and Alan Leandro.[7] On 9 October 2012, the team won another match against Laos in the qualification round as Murilo de Almeida scored a penalty at 43' minutes of the first half of the match. Later Adelino Trindade extended the Timorese advantage with a header early in the second half and then Alan Leandro added the third goal on the 83rd minute.[8] After winning the second match against Laos, head coach Emerson Alcântara stated "This is a win for the people of East Timor. They had to wait a long time for our team to win their first match in this competition but now we have two wins and this was an important victory for Timor-Leste. "I think that about 70 percent of people in Timor Leste are poor so it is very important to get this result for them because they love football and the people can get confidence and take pride in this result. It is very important for us to motivate our people and to help to change their lives."[9] With a win needed in the final fixture, Timor-Leste subsequently lost to Brunei 2–1 and finished in third place in the group, one point away from runners-up of the group, Laos as they went on to qualify for the 2012 AFF Championship. In the 2014 AFF Championship qualification, Timor-Leste secured a victory against Brunei winning them 4–2 in the process. In the next match, they caused an upset to Myanmar on 14 October 2014 which ended up in a goalless draw but that wasn't enough as Timor-Leste didn't make it to the 2014 AFF Championship.
2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round
Timor-Leste then participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification first round facing Mongolia where on 12 March 2015, they secured their first ever win against a country outside of Southeast Asia in a 4–1 win at the National Stadium of Timor-Leste. In the second leg, Timor-Leste travelled to Ulaanbaatar where they won 1–0 putting them on an aggregate of 5–2 seeing them advancing to the second round however on 12 December 2017, FIFA awarded both matches 3–0 to Mongolia due to Timor-Leste fielding numerous ineligible players. However, this was long after the Second round had been played, so Timor-Leste advanced and Mongolia were not reinstated. Timor-Leste were then grouped with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Palestine and Malaysia in Group A. On 11 June 2015, Ramon Saro scored in the 90+3' minute stoppage time which cause a huge upsets to Malaysia in a 1–1 draw at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium which Timor-Leste got their first ever point in the campaign. On 8 October 2015 while playing at home, Ramon Saro break the deadlock as they lead against Palestine however in the dying minute of the match, Ahmad Abu Nahyeh equalise for Palestine in 1–1 draw as it gains media attention from the Southeast Asia region. However, Timor-Leste has to forfeited five of their group matches due to fielding numerous ineligible players. Since their last match against Saudi Arabia on 17 November 2015, Timor-Leste has been playing their home match overboard as their National Stadium of Timor-Leste in Dili failed to meet FIFA standards which also see them finishing at the bottom of the table. During the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification match, Timor-Leste played their home match at the Tan Sri Dato Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium in Johor Bahru playing against Malaysia.
Timor-Leste then participated in the 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup held in Kuching where they snatched a goalless draw against Nepal. They were also invited to the 2017 CTFA International Tournament where in the match against the Philippines, Silveiro Garcia scored the only goal in the match as Timor-Leste gains a win in the tournament.
Back-to-back AFF Championships (2018–2020)
Timor-Leste then qualified to the 2018 AFF Championship for the first time in 14 years winning the 2018 AFF Championship qualification against Brunei on an aggregate of 3–2. They will play their designated "home" match against Thailand at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, while their home tie against the Philippines will be played at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium in Malaysia due to the incomplete floodlighting of the National Stadium of Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste then qualified for the 2020 AFF Championship automatically after the withdrawal of Brunei in the qualification play-off.
Young star in the making (2021–present)
During the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification – play-off round first leg match on 5 September 2024, João Pedro became the first player in Timorese history to score a hat-trick in a 4–1 win over Mongolia while playing on neutral ground at the Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium held in Gianyar, Bali. In October 2024, Timor Leste then played against Brunei who is also on a five-game winning streak for the 2024 ASEAN Championship qualification. Timor Leste ended up victorious winning 1–0 on aggregate where Gali Freitas scored the goal to ensure the team qualified for the 2024 ASEAN Championship, where they will play their matches at Hàng Đẫy Stadium in Hanoi.
2024 ASEAN Championship
As of 28 December 2024, Timor-Leste's performance at the 2024 ASEAN Championship has been poor, ending in a string of defeats that resulted in their early elimination. The squad competed in four matches, beginning with a devastating loss to Thailand on 8 December suffering their worst ever defeat since 2015 with a 10–0 thrasing defeat scoreline.[10] Following that, they met Malaysia on 11 December, putting up a valiant battle but ultimately lost 2–3. Their difficulties continued against Singapore on 14 December with a 0–3 defeat. Timor-Leste met Cambodia in their last group stage match on 17 December and fell to a 1–2 defeat.[11]
Timor-Leste finished with a record of four losses, two goals scored, and an incredible eighteen goals conceded, resulting in a goal differential of -16. They were unable to gain any victories during the tournament. They became the first team to be eliminated from the 2024 ASEAN Championship.[12]
During the third round of 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification on 10 June 2025, João Pedro scored the lone goal in a 1–0 win against Maldives which put him to become the all time top scorer for Timor-Leste.
Eligibility of players controversy
Since 2012, several Brazilian-born footballers, who are not of East Timorese descent and had not necessarily played in the East Timorese League, were expressly naturalised.[13]
The country's recent history of naturalising foreign players such as Murilo de Almeida, Fellipe Bertoldo, Diogo Rangel, Rodrigo Silva, Jairo Neto, Ramon Saro, Alan Leandro, Thiago Cunha, Juninho and Heberty has been criticized by many, including native East Timorese players and fans.[14][15]
In a match on 8 October 2015 against Palestine seven of the starting eleven for the Timorese line-up were naturalized Brazilians.[16] Following the match the Palestinian Football Association made a complaint to FIFA stating that the naturalized Timorese players were not eligible to represent Timor-Leste under FIFA rules.[17][18]
Following a concern from some Timorese who complained to the prime minister, the prosecutor general and the minister for justice regarding the naturalisation program, Timor Leste Football Federation (FFTL) decided to drop their overseas-born legion. It meant Timor-Leste would be without seven naturalised Brazilian players for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2019 AFC Asian Cup joint qualifiers match against United Arab Emirates on 12 November 2015.[19] In that match, coach Fernando Alcântara played an all national line up including six who were under twenty, including Ervino Soares who was 16. Timor-Leste ended up losing the match 8–0. Alcântara took responsibility for the defeat although he also added that he had been forced to play such an inexperienced line-up by the FFTL.[20]
The next match, Timor-Leste did even worse, suffering a record 0–10 home defeat to a strong Saudi Arabia side, who eventually qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Jesse Pinto, an Australian-Timorese footballer, told reporters that the FFTL gives Brazilian players Timorese passports so that they can be registered as "Asian" players and meet the quotas of teams. Pinto also added that the FFTL often takes advantage of players from poor backgrounds, but that it often did not meet its promises of allowing players to travel back to Brazil to meet their families.[21]
In December 2016, the FFTL was charged with using forged and falsified documents, fielding ineligible players and bringing the game into disrepute.[22]
A decision was made on 20 January 2017 that Timor-Leste is barred from participating in the qualification tournament for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup after being found to have fielded a total of twelve ineligible players in 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification matches and among other competitions.[23]
Team image
Kit manufacturers
| Period | Manufacturer |
|---|---|
| 2008–2010 |  Tiger |
| 2012 |  Nike |
| 2013–2014 |  Mitre |
| 2015–2017 |  Kubba Sportswear |
| 2018–2024 |  Narrow |
| 2024–2026 | Oliver Sports |
| 2026–present |  Volt Sport |
The team's kit manufacturer was Kubba Sportswear from June 2014 to February 2017.[24]
Since 2018, the kits are made by Narrow, an Indonesian apparel. The home kit is red shirts, black shorts, and red socks, with black as a secondary color. The away kit all white.[25] From 2008 to 2010, their away kits were yellow but at 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup qualification, the away kits changed back into all whites.[26] Their kits were made by Nike in 2012. Previous kit makers include Mitre, Joma, Nike and Tiger.
Home stadium
Timor Leste's home ground is the National Stadium of Timor-Leste in Dili. The stadium capacity is 5,000. The first official match played in the stadium was a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Mongolia on 12 March 2015. Timor-Leste played their last match at the National Stadium of Timor-Leste against Saudi Arabia on 17 November 2015 and since then used their stadium as a neutral ground all over East Asia.
| Timor Leste national football team home stadiums | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Stadium | Capacity | Location | Last match |
 |
National Stadium of Timor-Leste | 5,000 | Dili | v Saudi Arabia (17 November 2015; 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification) |
Neutral venue
List of neutral venue grounds for Timor-Leste in the FIFA World Cup qualifications, AFC Asian Cup qualifications and AFF Championship qualifications since 2020.
| Timor Leste neutral home stadiums | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Stadium | Capacity | Location | Last match |
 |
Kaohsiung National Stadium | 55,000 | Zuoying, Kaohsiung, Taiwan | v  Chinese Taipei(17 October 2023; 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification) |
 |
Hàng Đẫy Stadium | 22,500 | Hanoi, Vietnam | v Singapore (14 December 2024; 2024 ASEAN Championship) |
 |
Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium | 18,000 | Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia | v  Mongolia(5 September 2024; 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification – play-off round) |
| Territory Rugby League Stadium | 10,000 | Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia | v  Maldives(10 June 2025; 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification – third round) | |
 |
Chonburi Stadium | 8,680 | Mueang Chonburi, Chonburi Province, Thailand. | v  Brunei(15 October 2024; 2024 ASEAN Championship qualification) |
 |
Track & Field Sports Complex | 1,700 | Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei | v Brunei (8 November 2022; 2022 AFF Championship qualification) |
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
| 10 June 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification | Timor-Leste | 1–0 | Maldives | Darwin, Australia[note 1] |
| 16:00 UTC+9:30 |
|
Report (AFC) | Stadium: Territory Rugby League Stadium Attendance: 1,048 Referee: Songkran Bunmeekiart (Thailand) |
| 9 October 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification | Timor-Leste | 1–4 |  Philippines | Darwin, Australia[note 2] |
| 19:00 UTC+9:30 |
|
Report (AFC) |
|
Stadium: Territory Rugby League Stadium Attendance: 1,356 Referee: Yudi Nurcahya (Indonesia) |
| 14 October 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification | Philippines | 3–1 | Timor-Leste | Capas, Philippines |
| 20:00 UTC+8 |
|
Report (AFC) |
|
Stadium: New Clark City Stadium Attendance: 8,753 Referee: Torphong Somsing (Thailand) |
| 8 November Unofficial friendly1 | Negeri Sembilan FC  | 2–1 | Timor-Leste | Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia |
| 21:00 UTC+8 | Luqman  7, 31' |
Report | Bakhito 43' |
Stadium: Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium Attendance: 2,138 |
| 18 November 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification | Timor-Leste | 0–5 |  Tajikistan | Darwin, Australia[note 3] |
| 16:00 UTC+9:30 | Report Report (AFC) |
|
Stadium: Territory Rugby League Stadium Attendance: 538 Referee: Adam Kersey (Australia) |
- Notes
- 1 Non FIFA 'A' international match
2026
| 31 March 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification | Maldives | 2–1 | Timor-Leste | Malé, Maldives |
| 15:30 UTC+5:30 | Report Report (AFC) |
|
Stadium: National Football Stadium Attendance: 500 Referee: Razlan Joffri Ali (Malaysia) |
| 2 June 2026 ASEAN Championship qualification | Brunei | v | Timor-Leste | Brunei |
| --:-- UTC+8 |
| 9 June 2026 ASEAN Championship qualification | Timor-Leste | v | Brunei | |
| --:-- |
Coaching staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Technical director | Paulo Mesquita |
| Head coach |  Zé Pedro |
| Assistant coach | Jaime Coelho Miro Baldo Bento |
| Goalkeeping coach | Derson Gusmão |
| Physiotherapist | Adou Costa |
| Media Officer | Mario Filipe Belo |
| Administrator | Hasan Cesario |
| Official | Adou Marques |
| Kitman | Fablo Freitas |
Coaching history
- As of May 2024
| Manager | Period | Internationals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | % | ||
| José Luís |
2004–2006 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0.0 |
| João Paulo Pereira |
2007 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.0 |
| Pedro Correia de Almeida |
2007–2008 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0.0 |
| Clodoaldo |
2010 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.0 |
| Antonio Carlos Vieira |
2011–2012 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 16.7 |
| Emerson Alcântara |
2012–2014 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 50.0 |
| Manuel da Costa Soares |
2015 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.0 |
| Fábio Magrão |
2015–2016 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0.0 |
| Emerson Alcântara |
2015–2016 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0.0 |
 Simón Elissetche[27] |
2017–2018 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 33.3 |
| Norio Tsukitate |
2018–2019 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 11.1 |
| Fabiano Flora |
2019–2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Fábio Magrão |
2021–2022 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0.0 |
| Gopalkrishnan Ramasamy |
2022–2023 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50.0 |
 Park Soon-tae |
2023 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.0 |
| Simón Elissetche |
2024–2025 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50.0 |
| José Pedro Alves Salazar |
2025– | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Players
Current squad
- The following 23 players were called up for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers match.[28]
- Match date: 10 June 2025
- Opponents: Maldives
- Caps and goals correct as of: 10 June, after the match against Maldives.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | GK | Junildo | 4 June 2003 | 17 | 0 | Karketu Dili |
| 20 | GK | Ricky | 25 December 2000 | 1 | 0 | Ponta Leste |
| 31 | GK | Georgino Mendonça | 16 March 2002 | 7 | 0 | Life FC |
| 2 | DF | Almerito | 24 September 1993 | 3 | 0 | Ponta Leste |
| 3 | DF | Liam Farrugia | 13 January 2003 | 1 | 0 |  Manningham United |
| 4 | DF | Francisco da Costa | 15 April 1995 | 9 | 0 | Karketu Dili |
| 5 | DF | Jackson Fowler | 3 September 2004 | 1 | 0 | Sydney Olympic |
| 9 | DF | Olagar Xavier | 18 May 2003 | 16 | 1 | Aguilas–UMak |
| 23 | DF | Anizo Correia | 23 May 2003 | 18 | 0 | Ponta Leste |
| DF | João Panji | 2 March 2003 | 20 | 0 | Karketu Dili | |
| DF | Mário Quintão | 18 February 2004 | 11 | 0 | Emmanuel | |
| DF | Palomito Ribeiro | 2005 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Emmanuel | |
| 8 | MF | Claudio Osorio | 26 September 2002 | 11 | 0 | Karketu Dili |
| 14 | MF | Kornelis Nahak | 12 January 2001 | 9 | 0 | SLB Laulara |
| 15 | MF | Tiago | 13 April 1999 | 12 | 0 | Karketu Dili |
| 16 | MF | Freteliano | 9 August 2004 | 12 | 0 | Emmanuel |
| 22 | MF | Zenivio | 22 April 2005 | 18 | 1 | Tanjong Pagar United |
| 7 | FW | Elias Mesquita | 27 March 2002 | 18 | 0 | Ponta Leste |
| 10 | FW | João Pedro (vice-captain) | 24 June 1998 | 24 | 8 | Angkor Tiger |
| 11 | FW | Mouzinho | 26 June 2002 | 14 | 3 |  Igalo |
| 13 | FW | Alexandro Bakhito | 1 June 2006 | 4 | 0 | SLB Laulara |
| 18 | FW | Vabio Canavaro | 25 January 2007 | 2 | 0 | SLB Laulara |
| 19 | FW | Luís Figo | 17 April 2005 | 8 | 0 | Ponta Leste |
| 21 | FW | Gali Freitas (captain) | 31 December 2004 | 14 | 2 | Persebaya Surabaya |
Recent call-ups
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Danilo De Lemos | 0 | 0 | Casuarina |
v. Maldives, 10 June 2025 PRE | |
| GK | Tristan | 2007 (age 18–19) | 0 | 0 | Karketu Dili |
v.  Lebanon, 20 March 2025 PRE |
| GK | Pablo de Jesus | 19 September 2005 | 0 | 0 | Ponta Leste |
Centralized training camp, February-March 2025 |
| GK | Alexandre Quintão | 0 | 0 | Marca |
Centralized training camp, February-March 2025 | |
| DF | Filomeno | 21 June 1998 | 26 | 0 | SLB Laulara |
v. Maldives, 10 June 2025 PRE |
| DF | Ricardo Bianco | 15 January 2006 | 2 | 0 | Ponta Leste |
v. Tajikistan, 25 March 2025 |
| DF | Amancio Araujo | 26 April 2002 | 0 | 0 | Emmanuel |
v. Tajikistan, 25 March 2025 |
| DF | Jonah Madeira | 16 February 2001 | 0 | 0 | Craigieburn City |
v. Lebanon, 20 March 2025 PRE |
| DF | Sandro Rivaldo Quintão | 1 January 2003 | 2 | 0 | Emmanuel |
Centralized training camp, February-March 2025 |
| DF | Aniso Monteiro | 1 July 2003 | 1 | 0 | Assalam |
Centralized training camp, February-March 2025 |
| DF | Nelson Viegas | 24 December 1999 | 25 | 1 | Greenvale United |
2024 ASEAN Championship |
| DF | Yohanes Gusmão | 1 April 2000 | 13 | 0 | SLB Laulara |
2024 ASEAN Championship |
| DF | Orcelio | 30 April 2001 | 6 | 0 | Karketu Dili |
v. Mongolia, 10 September 2024 |
| MF | Jorge Casimiro | 2007 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | Caboolture Sports |
v. Maldives, 10 June 2025 PRE |
| MF | João Rangel | 17 July 2001 | 0 | 0 |  Leiston |
v. Maldives, 10 June 2025 PRE |
| MF | Edencio Soares | 5 October 2005 | 0 | 0 | Porto Taibesse |
v. Lebanon, 20 March 2025 PRE |
| MF | Beckham Baker | 8 August 2008 | 0 | 0 | Melbourne City |
Centralized training camp, February-March 2025 |
| MF | Jhon Frith | 17 July 2002 | 15 | 2 | ISI Dangkor Senchey |
2024 ASEAN Championship |
| MF | José Andrade | 20 December 1999 | 0 | 0 | Ponta Leste |
v. Brunei, 15 October 2024 |
| FW | Nicholas Fowler | 31 May 2007 | 0 | 0 | Sydney Olympic |
v. Maldives, 10 June 2025 PRE |
| FW | Mark Casimiro | 28 January 1997 | 0 | 0 | Casuarina |
v. Maldives, 10 June 2025 PRE |
| FW | Paul Godinho | unknown | 0 | 0 | Santa Cruz |
v. Lebanon, 20 March 2025 PRE |
| FW | Alexandre Vong | 0 | 0 | Santa Cruz |
Centralized training camp, February-March 2025 | |
| FW | Pascoal Fernandes | 0 | 0 | Atlético Ultramar/Coração |
Centralized training camp, February-March 2025 | |
| FW | Kenny Ximenes | 4 April 2005 | 3 | 0 |  Dollingstown |
2024 ASEAN Championship |
| ||||||
Previous squads
Player records
- As of 10 June 2025[29]
- Players in bold are still active with Timor-Leste.
Most appearances
| Rank | Name | Caps | Goals | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anggisu Barbosa | 30 | 4 | 2008–2016 |
| 2 | Adelino Trindade | 27 | 3 | 2010–2018 |
| 3 | José Fonseca | 26 | 0 | 2010–2017 |
| 4 | Henrique Cruz | 25 | 3 | 2015–2018 |
| Nelson Viegas | 25 | 1 | 2016–present | |
| 6 | Filomeno Junior | 24 | 0 | 2018–present |
| João Pedro | 8 | 2018–present | ||
| 8 | Nataniel Reis | 23 | 1 | 2014–2018 |
| 9 | Eusebio de Almeida | 22 | 0 | 2007–2015 |
| Rufino Gama | 22 | 7 | 2016–2022 |
Top goalscorers
| Rank | Name | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | João Pedro | 8 | 24 | 0.32 | 2018–present |
| 2 | Rufino Gama | 7 | 22 | 0.32 | 2016–2022 |
| 3 | Murilo de Almeida | 6 | 7 | 0.86 | 2012–2014 |
| 4 | Chiquito do Carmo | 4 | 16 | 0.25 | 2010–2016 |
| Anggisu Barbosa | 4 | 30 | 0.13 | 2008–2016 | |
| 6 | Adélio Guterres | 3 | 4 | 0.75 | 2006–2007 |
| Alan Leandro | 3 | 5 | 0.6 | 2012 | |
| Mouzinho | 3 | 12 | 0.25 | 2019–present | |
| Emilio da Silva | 3 | 12 | 0.25 | 2004–2012 | |
| Henrique Cruz | 3 | 25 | 0.12 | 2015–2018 | |
| Adelino Trindade | 3 | 27 | 0.11 | 2010–2018 |
Competition records
FIFA World Cup
| FIFA World Cup | Qualification | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | F | A | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | |
 1930 to  1974 |
Part of Portugal |
Part of Portugal | |||||||||||||
 1978 to  1998 |
Part of Indonesia |
Part of Indonesia | |||||||||||||
 2002 |
Not member of FIFA | Not member of FIFA | |||||||||||||
| 2006 |
Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
 2010 | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 11 | ||||||||
| 2014 |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | |||||||||
 2018 |
10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 37 | |||||||||
 2022 |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 12 | |||||||||
  2026 |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | |||||||||
  2030 | To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||
| 2034 | |||||||||||||||
| Total | — | 0/5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 18 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 13 | 74 | |
AFC Asian Cup
| AFC Asian Cup | AFC Asian Cup qualification | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | ||
| 1956 to 1972 | Part of Portugal | Part of Portugal | ||||||||||||||
| 1976 to 1996 | Part of Indonesia | Part of Indonesia | ||||||||||||||
| 2000 | Did not exist, under  United Nations | Did not exist, under United Nations | ||||||||||||||
 2004 | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |||||||||
| 2007 to 2015 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
 2019 | Did not qualify | 14 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 9 | 47 | |||||||||
| 2023 |
Disqualified | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 12 | |||||||||
| 2027 |
Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 10 | |||||||||
| Total | — | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | 21 | 3 | 2 | 16 | 17 | 73 | ||
AFC Challenge Cup
AFC Solidarity Cup
| AFC Solidarity Cup | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 2016 | Group stage | 6th | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Total | Group stage | 1/1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
ASEAN Championship
| ASEAN Championship record | Qualification record | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
| 1996 | Part of Indonesia | Part of Indonesia | |||||||||||||
 1998 | |||||||||||||||
| 2000 | Under United Nations | Under United Nations | |||||||||||||
| 2002 | |||||||||||||||
| 2004 | Group stage | 9th | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 18 | No qualification | ||||||
| 2007 | Did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 17 | ||||||||
| 2008 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 9 | |||||||||
| 2010 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 15 | |||||||||
| 2012 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 6 | |||||||||
| 2014 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | |||||||||
 2016 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 7 | |||||||||
 2018 | Group stage | 10th | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 10th | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 13 | Opponents withdrew | |||||||
| 2022 | Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||
| 2024 | Group stage | 10th | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | Group stage | 4/15 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 9 | 68 | 28 | 6 | 3 | 19 | 39 | 68 | |
| ASEAN Championship History | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Round | Opponent | Scores | Venue | |
| 2004 | Group B | Malaysia |
0–5 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | |
| Thailand |
0–8 | ||||
| Philippines |
1–2 | ||||
| Myanmar |
1–3 | ||||
| 2018 | Group B | Thailand |
0–7 | Bangkok, Thailand | |
| Indonesia |
1–3 | Jakarta, Indonesia | |||
| Philippines |
2–3 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | |||
| Singapore |
1–6 | Kallang, Singapore | |||
| 2020 | Group A | Thailand |
0–2 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Myanmar |
0–2 | ||||
| Philippines |
0–7 | ||||
| Singapore |
0–2 | ||||
Lusofonia Games
| Jogos da Lusofonia | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
 2006 | Group stage | 9th | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| 2009 | Did not enter | |||||||
 2014 | ||||||||
| Total | Group stage | 1/3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| Lusofonia Games | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Venue | Opponents | Score | Year |
| 4 October 2006 | Macau University of Science and Technology Sports Field |  Mozambique U-20 |
0–5 | 2006 Lusofonia Games |
| 6 October 2006 |  Angola U-20 |
0–5 | ||
Head-to-head record
As of 31 March 2026[30]
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | WPCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brunei |
12 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 16 | 25 | −9 | 33.33 |
| Cambodia |
10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 18 | 25 | −7 | 10.00 |
| Chinese Taipei |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 17 | −14 | 0.00 |
 Hong Kong |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 11 | −8 | 0.00 |
| Indonesia |
6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 21 | −19 | 0.00 |
 Laos |
7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 18 | −9 | 14.29 |
| Lebanon |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | −4 | 0.00 |
| Malaysia |
8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 0.00 |
| Maldives |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Mongolia |
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 4 | +5 | 75.00 |
| Myanmar |
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 | −5 | 0.00 |
 Nepal |
4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 9 | −6 | 0.00 |
 Palestine |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | −7 | 0.00 |
| Philippines |
9 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 33 | −27 | 11.11 |
| Saudi Arabia |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 17 | −17 | 0.00 |
| Singapore |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 11 | −10 | 0.00 |
| Sri Lanka |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 0.00 |
| Thailand |
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 27 | −27 | 0.00 |
| Tajikistan |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | −6 | 0.00 |
| United Arab Emirates |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | −9 | 0.00 |
| Total | 91 | 11 | 8 | 72 | 82 | 259 | −177 | 12.09 |
Regional record
| Opponents | Year | Score | Outcome | Match type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brunei |
15 October 2024 | 0−0 | Draw | 2024 ASEAN Championship qualification |
| Cambodia |
17 December 2024 | 1−2 | Lost | 2024 ASEAN Championship |
| Indonesia |
30 January 2022 | 0−3 | Lost | Friendly |
| Laos |
3 December 2017 | 1−2 | Lost | Friendly |
| Malaysia |
11 December 2024 | 2−3 | Lost | 2024 ASEAN Championship |
| Myanmar |
8 December 2021 | 0−2 | Lost | 2020 AFF Championship |
| Philippines |
14 October 2025 | 1−3 | Lost | 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| Singapore |
14 December 2024 | 0−3 | Lost | 2024 ASEAN Championship |
| Thailand |
8 December 2024 | 0−10 | Lost | 2024 ASEAN Championship |
| Vietnam |
Haven't meet yet | |||
Notes
- Timor-Leste will play their home game in Darwin, due to the National Stadium in Dili failing to meet FIFA standards.
- Timor-Leste will play their home game in Darwin, due to the National Stadium in Dili failing to meet FIFA standards.
- Timor-Leste will play their home game in Darwin, due to the National Stadium in Dili failing to meet FIFA standards.
