Tonga national football team

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.^{[clarification needed]}

Kit sponsorship

More information Kit supplier, Period ...

Kit supplier[4]	Period
Lotto	2007–2013
OFC	2014
None	2016–2019
Lotto	2019–2024
Custom Athletics	2025–

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Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 World Cup qualification matches in September 2024.^[5]

Caps and goals updated as of 9 September 2024, after the game against Samoa.

More information No., Pos. ...

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Semisi ‘Otukolo	(1999-06-23) 23 June 1999 (age 26)	12	0	Veitongo
	1GK	Unaloto Pahulu	(2006-10-18) 18 October 2006 (age 19)	0	0	Folaha
	2DF	Kulisitofa Kite	(2003-01-17) 17 January 2003 (age 23)	7	1	Veitongo
	2DF	Petelo Naniseni	(2003-12-20) 20 December 2003 (age 22)	7	0	Navutoka
	2DF	David-John Tuamoheloa	(2004-06-30) 30 June 2004 (age 21)	6	0	Manukau United
	2DF	Petelo Manu	(2005-12-19) 19 December 2005 (age 20)	2	0	Marist
	2DF	Viliami Tikoipau	(2001-01-07) 7 January 2001 (age 25)	2	1	Manukau United
	2DF	Utu'one Lea'aetoa	(2005-02-16) 16 February 2005 (age 21)	1	0	Veitongo
	3MF	Fineasi Palei	(1989-05-20) 20 May 1989 (age 37)	12	0	Launceston City
	3MF	Christopher Kefu	(2003-02-11) 11 February 2003 (age 23)	6	1	Veitongo
	3MF	Ulafala Sonasi	(2007-07-28) 28 July 2007 (age 18)	4	1	Marist
	3MF	Topuluka Tuamoheloa	(2003-11-28) 28 November 2003 (age 22)	3	0	Lower Hutt City
	3MF	Va'inga Teu	(2006-02-12) 12 February 2006 (age 20)	2	0	Fahefa
	3MF	Tomasi Armitage	(2005-05-26) 26 May 2005 (age 21)	1	0	Waikato Unicol
	3MF	Hakeai Fonua	(2008-09-01) 1 September 2008 (age 17)	0	0	Ahau
	3MF	Herick Funaki	(2003-08-07) 7 August 2003 (age 22)	0	0	Longolongo
	3MF	Maikeli Lomu	(1997-10-29) 29 October 1997 (age 28)	0	0	Veitongo
	4FW	Hemaloto Polovili	(1997-07-27) 27 July 1997 (age 28)	17	4	Veitongo
	4FW	Lisiate Feke	(2004-03-25) 25 March 2004 (age 22)	8	0	Veitongo
	4FW	Amoni Fifita	(2004-06-26) 26 June 2004 (age 21)	8	3	Makave
	4FW	Vilikisepi Tai	(2006-02-24) 24 February 2006 (age 20)	4	0	Fahefa
	4FW	Viliami Tukia	(2001-01-07) 7 January 2001 (age 25)	2	0	Lami
	4FW	Ata Inia	(2000-04-25) 25 April 2000 (age 26)	0	0	Chanthaburi

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Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up within the last 12 months.

More information Pos., Player ...

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Nimilote Moala	(2003-07-18) 18 July 2003 (age 22)	1	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
GK	Justin Toetu’u	(2003-05-19) 19 May 2003 (age 23)	1	0	Longolongo	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Atieli 'Aho	(2007-01-23) 23 January 2007 (age 19)	2	0	Nukuhetulu	v.  Samoa; 9 September 2024 PRE
DF	Laulea Taufa	(1999-07-14) 14 July 1999 (age 26)	11	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
DF	Sione Talia'uli	(2006-05-29) 29 May 2006 (age 20)	2	0	Fasi-Moe-Afi	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
DF	Sione Tu’ifangaloka	(1999-04-24) 24 April 1999 (age 27)	6	0	Veitongo	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Nicolas Vea	(2003-10-31) 31 October 2003 (age 22)	4	0	Navutoka	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Fakaofo Tonga	(2004-10-29) 29 October 2004 (age 21)	3	0	Navutoka	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Ta’u Tupou	(2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 (age 25)	1	0	Vava'u	2023 Pacific Games
MF	Kamaliele Papani	(1984-04-08) 8 April 1984 (age 42)	14	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
MF	Vai Lutu	(1999-09-30) 30 September 1999 (age 26)	11	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
MF	Tuia Falepapalangi	(2000-07-15) 15 July 2000 (age 25)	6	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
MF	Mohammed Rajani	(1999-04-19) 19 April 1999 (age 27)	6	1	Rockdale Ilinden	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
MF	Tau’aika Sonasi	(1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 (age 26)	5	0	Marist	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
MF	Petueli Tokotaha	(2000-09-10) 10 September 2000 (age 25)	6	2	Navutoka	2023 Pacific Games
MF	Petueli Tokotaha	(2004-03-25) 25 March 2004 (age 22)	3	0	Longolongo	2023 Pacific Games
MF	Taniela Vaka’uta	(2002-11-04) 4 November 2002 (age 23)	2	0	Folaha	2023 Pacific Games
DF	Lafaela Moala	(1982-07-22) 22 July 1982 (age 43)	0	0	Unattached	v.  Samoa; 9 September 2024 PRE
FW	Elias Kendler	(2000-04-04) 4 April 2000 (age 26)	4	1	Haʻamoko United Youth	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
FW	Feki Tufi	(2000-04-11) 11 April 2000 (age 26)	2	0	Veitongo	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
FW	William Foliaki	(1999-02-11) 11 February 1999 (age 27)	0	0	Unknown	v.  Cook Islands; 26 March 2024
FW	Nuku ‘Esau	(2001-06-12) 12 June 2001 (age 25)	3	0	Navutoka	2023 Pacific Games

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Most appearances

Top goalscorers

FIFA World Cup

More information FIFA World Cup, Qualification ...

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

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OFC Nations Cup

More information Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record, Qualification record ...

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

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Pacific Games

More information Pacific Games record, Year ...

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

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Regional

• Polynesia Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 1994