Jump to content

Fiji national football team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Fiji women's national football team.

Fiji
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Bula Boys
AssociationFiji Football Association
ConfederationOFC (Oceania)
Head coachRob Sherman
CaptainRoy Krishna
Most capsRoy Krishna (61)
Top scorerRoy Krishna (44)
Home stadiumHFC Bank Stadium
FIFA codeFIJ
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 147 Decrease 1 (28 November 2024)[1]
Highest94 (July 1994)
Lowest199 (July 2015)
First international
 Fiji 4–6 New Zealand 
(Suva, Fiji; 7 October 1951)
Biggest win
 Fiji 24–0 Kiribati 
(Nausori, Fiji; 30 August 1979)
Biggest defeat
 New Zealand 13–0 Fiji 
(Auckland, New Zealand; 16 August 1981)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances9 (first in 1973)
Best resultThird place (1998 and 2008)
Pacific Games
Appearances14 (first in 1963)
Best resultChampions (1991, 2003)
Melanesia Cup/MSG Prime Minister's Cup
Appearances8 (first in 1988)
Best resultMelanesia Cup: Champions
(1988, 1989, 1992, 1998, 2000)
MSG Prime Minister's Cup: Third place
(2022)
Fiji national football team
Medal record
Pacific Games
Gold medal – first place 1991 Port Moresby Team
Gold medal – first place 2003 Suva Team
Silver medal – second place 1963 Suva Team
Silver medal – second place 1979 Suva Team
Silver medal – second place 1983 Apia Team
Silver medal – second place 2007 Apia Team
Bronze medal – third place 1995 Papeete Team

The Fiji men's national football team (Fijian: timi ni soka ni Viti) is Fiji's national men's team and is controlled by the governing body of football in Fiji, the Fiji Football Association.[3] The team plays most of their home games at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.

Fiji first participated in the FIFA World Cup qualification in 1982; since 1990, Fiji have attempted to qualify for each World Cup without success. Their best result was a final round appearance in 2010. The national team also represents Fiji at the OFC Nations Cup, having appeared in eight out of ten previous tournaments. Fiji's best result is a third-place finish at the 1998 and 2008 editions. They have won the Melanesia Cup five times and competed in the Pacific Games from 1963 until 2015 when the competition became an under-23 tournament.

As in most countries in Oceania where football (or soccer) is not the most popular sport (such as Australia and New Zealand), Fiji's most popular sport is rugby union. As of 2022, Fiji has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup. In spite of this, the country's youth football team has enjoyed recent success, qualifying for both the 2015 and 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cups and the 2016 Olympic football tournaments.

History

[edit]

Beginnings (1951–1973)

[edit]

Fiji's first international football game was against a New Zealand side that was touring Oceania and had played four games against New Caledonia.[4] The international, which took place on 7 October 1951, saw New Zealand getting the win 6-4. Jock Newall got a hat-trick for New Zealand. New Zealand returned the following year, with Fiji losing all three games, including a 9–0 drubbing in the second match.[5]

After being absent from the international game for eleven years, the Fiji Football Association joined FIFA in 1963.[6] That same year, the national team entered the first edition of the South Pacific Games, held in Fiji. In that tournament, the country appeared in its first gold medal match after defeating Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, but lost the match to New Caledonia 8–2. Marc-Kanyan Case scored four goals for the opposition and Fiji was relegated to silver.[7]

After missing 1966, the team's next tournament appearance was in the 1969 Games held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. They finished in fourth place out of six teams after losing to Papua New Guinea in the bronze medal playoff.[8] Two years later, Fiji finished at the bottom of Group two with losses against New Caledonia and New Hebrides. They would, however, defeat the Cook Islands in the fifth place play-off.[9]

World Cup qualifying debut and Oceania upsets (1973–1991)

[edit]

As a member of the Oceania Football Confederation, Fiji played in the first edition of the OFC Nations Cup held in New Zealand in 1973. They did not win a match in the four games they played during the tournament.[10] Competing at the 1975 South Pacific Games the national team, under coach Sashi Mahendra Singh, made the semi-finals of the competition where they lost to Tahiti. In the third-place playoff, they lost to the Solomon Islands by a goal.[11]

After John Lal became the new coach for Fiji in 1977, his first match as coach was an unofficial game against Taiwan which ended in a two-all draw before taking on Australia who played Taiwan because of the soccer ban in the country.[12] On 19 March 1977, they took on Australia at Buckhurst Park. Seven national players from Ba F.C. were unavailable due to a planned tour of New Zealand. After holding off the Australians for the first forty-five minutes, Jimmy Okete (who was making his debut) scored the only goal of the game. This was a shock to the locals since the team struggled in the two tours to Australia in 1961 and 1968 against the state teams.[13]

Under the orders of new coach, Moti Musadilal, they played some pre-tournament friendlies against New Zealand conceding nine goals in the two games before competing at the 1979 South Pacific Games in Suva. After getting a nil all draw against Papua New Guinea, they scored their biggest win against Kiribati winning by twenty-four goals. After defeating Wallis and Futuna in the quarter-finals and Solomon Islands in the semis, they made it to their second Pacific Games final against Tahiti. In front of over twenty thousand people, Fiji came up short again with Erroll Bennett scoring a double to give Tahiti the gold medal.[14]

Fiji's next tournament was the 1980 OFC Nations Cup where they were grouped with New Zealand, Solomon Islands and Tahiti. After defeating the Solomon Islands in the opening game, they were expected to lose against New Zealand who were the favourites to win the group. On 27 February 1980, they became the first Fijian team to defeat a New Zealand team with Dewan Chand and Meli Vuilabasa both scoring two goals in the victory.[15] Fiji did not make it to the final. They lost first to Tahiti 6–3, and then lost the third-place playoff to New Caledonia 2–1, in what was the last Oceania Cup for sixteen years.[16]

The following year saw a new coach with former New Zealand coach Wally Hughes leading the team into their first World Cup qualifiers. After opening with a four-goal defeat against New Zealand, they drew with Indonesia nil-all, before defeating Chinese Taipei 2–1 to be in third place with three points. For Fiji that momentum was short-lived. They finished at the bottom of the group after conceding twenty-three goals in the final two games against Australia and New Zealand. Hughes resigned after the Australian game stating, "I wouldn't wish on any coach what I have been through," suggesting that bribery was involved in the defeat to Australia.[17]

After two years absence from international football, the national team, under Rudi Gutendorf, competed at the 1983 South Pacific Games in Samoa. After finishing top of the group that featured New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, they defeated Papua New Guinea 2–0 in the quarter-finals before knocking off New Caledonia in the semi-final. In the final, they lost to Tahiti by a single goal which was contested by the players who attacked the referee and linesmen.[18][19] Another similar incident in a friendly against New Zealand happened the following year. This led to a one-year ban of international matches being held at Fiji.[20]

Fiji's next tournament was the 1988 Melanesia Cup held in the Solomon Islands. The national team won the final against the Solomon Islands 3–1 to claim their first title.[21] Later in that year, they competed in the first round of the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification against Australia, with the motivation of five hundred Fijian dollars bonus for each player if they won. In front of six thousand people, they defeated Australia 1–0 with Ravuame Madigi scoring the goal to take the lead heading into the second leg.[22] The second leg though saw Australia take out the match by a score of 5–1 in what media called the "Battle of Newcastle". It included an all-in brawl in the last part of the match which saw Charlie Yankos get a broken nose.[23][24]

After claiming the 1989 Melanesia Cup at home, in the following year they finished in third place behind Vanuatu and New Caledonia.[25][26] The team headed to Tahiti for the 1991 South Pacific Games where they finished top of the group before defeating Vanuatu in the semi-finals. In the final, they took on the Solomon Islands where Radike Nawalu scored the opening goal of the game in the 29th minute to give Fiji the lead. The game went to penalties with Fiji winning the gold for the first time.[27]

Melanesia powerhouse (1991–2003)

[edit]

Fiji competed at the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification in Group B with Vanuatu and New Zealand. After losing to New Zealand in the opening game of qualifying at Christchurch, they headed off to Vanuatu to compete at the 1992 Melanesia Cup. They took the cup for the third time with the difference being one goal over New Caledonia.[28] After a 3–0 win over Vanuatu in Suva, they tied with New Zealand at the same ground. In the final game of the group, they defeated Vanuatu in Port Vila by the same scoreline. That game was a dead rubber as they finished behind New Zealand and were eliminated from contention.

After not qualifying for the 1996 OFC Nations Cup having finished second at the 1994 Melanesia Cup,[29] at the 1995 South Pacific Games in Tahiti Fiji won the bronze medal by defeating Vanuatu in the bronze medal playoff.[30]

Attempting to qualify for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Fiji got a bye into the second round of qualifying where they were paired with New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. The top team qualified for the third round. The nation finished in second place with losses to New Zealand both at home (1–0) and away (5–0) being the critical factors in their elimination. Fiji's next tournament was the 1998 OFC Nations Cup after they qualified by taking out the 1998 Melanesia Cup held in Vanuatu. The only blemish being a one–all draw against the Solomon Islands.[31]

After losing to the hosts (Australia) 3–0 in their first game, they defeated the Cook Islands 3–1 to secure a semi-final spot where they fell to New Zealand by a single goal. This put them into the third-place playoff where they defeated Tahiti for their best result to date at the OFC Nations Cup with a third-place. Esala Masi was the top goalscorer for the tournament with three goals.[31] Fiji qualified for the following edition of the Nations Cup after winning the title at the 2000 Melanesia Cup in Fiji.[32] But later that year, Fiji withdrew because of political unrest in the country, which led to the 2000 Fijian coup d'état.[33]

Fiji's qualification for the 2002 FIFA World Cup started at Coffs Harbour when they were grouped with American Samoa, Australia, Samoa and Tonga in Group one. In the opening game of the group, they defeated American Samoa 13–0 to record their biggest win in a FIFA match. Shailemdra Lal scored five goals; Esala Masi scored four.[34] After defeating Samoa 6–1, they lost to Australia 2–0 to finish in second place and were eliminated from contention. Only the top team from the group qualified through to the second round.[35] They met Australia again at the 2002 OFC Nations Cup in New Zealand. They finished in third place in the group after only winning against New Caledonia followed by an 8–0 loss against Australia. This eliminated Fiji from the semi-finals and saw the sack of Billy Singh ending a seven-year reign in his third stint as coach of the national team.[36]

Fiji claimed the 2003 South Pacific Games gold medal at home. The squad, which consisted mostly of young players, was able to go unbeaten throughout the tournament defeating New Caledonia in the gold medal match. Esala Masi was Fiji's top scorer for Fiji with twelve goals which included the seven in the 12–0 win over Kiribati in the group stage.[37][38]

Recent times (2004–)

[edit]

Fiji's qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup started in Samoa. They finished in second place in the qualifying group which featured Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and American Samoa. Their only loss was against Vanuatu on the final match-day.[39] This meant that Fiji qualified through to the 2004 OFC Nations Cup. After drawing with Tahiti and getting a win over Vanuatu, their World Cup chance ended when Fiji lost the next three matches and were eliminated at the second stage of qualifying.[40]

Fiji's next tournament was the 2007 South Pacific Games in Samoa, which was also the first round of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. After getting safely through the group, which included Tuvalu, Tahiti, Cook Islands and New Caledonia, they took on Vanuatu for a spot in the semi-finals to qualify for the next round.[41] In the semi-finals, they defeated Vanuatu to advance to the second round of qualifying with a three-goal victory, confirming their spot in the gold medal match. They lost by a single goal to New Caledonia, however, to finish runner-up for the fourth time.[42][43][44]

The second round of qualifying got off to a rocky start. Goalkeeper, Simione Tamanisau was refused entry because his father had been linked to the 2006 Fijian coup d'état.[45] The match was moved to the end of the qualifying period with Fiji winning 2–0. During that reschedule, the national team played the rest of their World Cup games. The team finished in third place in the group after getting only one point in their first three games—a three-all draw against New Caledonia. This was a key factor as the later 4–0 loss to the same team ended their hopes for qualifying to the next stage.[46]

Under the guidance of Gurjit Singh, the team competed at the 2011 Pacific Games in New Caledonia. In the group stage, the team qualified for the semi-finals with a game to spare as they would go through with a clean sweep of wins.[47] In the semi-finals, they took the lead against the Solomon Islands in the sixty-ninth minute of play with a goal by Maciu Dunadamu. But goals from Joses Nawo and Henry Fa'arodo, however, gave the Solomon Islands the win and a spot in the gold medal match. Fiji finished in fourth place losing to Tahiti in the bronze medal match 2–1.[48][49]

Juan Carlos Buzzetti returned to Fiji's top job as he led the team to the 2012 OFC Nations Cup. This was also the second part of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[50] Competing in Group B, they lost the opening game to New Zealand. The only goalscorer of the match was Kiwi player Tommy Smith in the eleventh minute. After a nil-all draw against the Solomon Islands, they got their only goal of the tournament with Maciu Dunadamu opening the scoring against Papua New Guinea in the fifteenth minute. But a late goal from Kema Jack ended the tournament for Fiji with a draw and knocked them out in the group stage.[51][52]

After not competing in a senior international for three years, the national team had two friendlies against A-League side Wellington Phoenix before entering their under-23 squad for the 2015 Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea. This was also a qualifier for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil. After losing the opening game, they got a draw in the second match with Roy Krishna and Ilimotama Jese each scoring a goal for Fiji.[53][54] More friendlies took place before the national team headed to Papua New Guinea for the 2016 OFC Nations Cup. This was also the second round of qualification for the 2018 World Cup. With a squad that only had three outside of the National League, Fiji lost the opening game against New Zealand with Krishna getting the only goal in the 3–1 loss.[55] After defeating the Solomon Islands in their second game with a Krishna goal, they needed to at least draw Vanuatu in the final group game to have a chance at qualifying to the semis.[56] After almost getting the early lead from Krishna, Fiji fell behind by two goals from Dominique Fred and Fenedy Masauvakalo giving Vanuatu the lead. The second half saw Fiji tie the match at two-all as goals from Samuela Kautoga and Krishna gave the team hope of qualifying. But Fiji was eliminated from the competition as a penalty in the 75th minute by Brian Kaltack gave Vanuatu a spot in the semis by goal difference.[57]

For finishing third place, they qualified through to the third round of qualifying. Fiji was drawn to face New Zealand and New Caledonia in Group A. Before the first game against New Zealand, Frank Farina was replaced by Christophe Gamel in the top job with Gamel stating, "We respect our opponents and we know that they are strong" in his first press conference as manager.[58] Fiji only got a single point from their four games. That point was against New Caledonia at Lautoka with the game ending in a two–all draw.[59]

Team image

[edit]

Kit sponsorship

[edit]
Kit lier Period
England Umbro 1981–???? [60]
N/A White 2001–2005 [61]
Germany Puma 2005–2007
Italy Lotto 2008–2011
Italy Kappa 2012–

Home stadium

[edit]
Main article: HFC Bank Stadium
HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, Fiji, hosts all of Fiji national matches.

The first soccer international held in Fiji was held at Albert Park, when New Zealand took on the hosts in 1951. The stadium, the main centre in Fiji during the early 20th century, was also the home of cricket and of the country's first Rugby union test match in 1926.[62]

In modern times, most games hosted by Fiji are held at the HFC Bank Stadium, which was built in 1951 and has been renovated twice which can hold a capacity of 15,000. The first renovation was in 1978 for the 1979 South Pacific Games held in Suva.[63] A second renovation took place in 2012 sponsored by ANZ Fiji at a cost 17.5 million Fijian dollars in exchange for the stadium's naming rights.[64] The football team has also played games at Lautoka, Ba, Nausori and Labasa.[14][65][66]

Results and fixtures

[edit]
See also: Fiji 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

2023

[edit]
28 November 2023 Pacific Games Fiji  0–2  Solomon Islands Honiara, Solomon Islands
15:00 UTC+11 Report
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
Attendance: 13'000
Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)
1 December 2023 Pacific Games Fiji  4–2  Vanuatu Honiara, Solomon Islands
15:00 UTC+11
Report
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
Referee: Ben Aukwai (Solomon Islands)

2024

[edit]
18 March Friendly Solomon Islands  2–1  Fiji Honiara, Solomon Islands
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
21 March Friendly Solomon Islands  0–2  Fiji Honiara, Solomon Islands
Report Raheem 45'
Krishna 64'		 Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
16 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup Papua New Guinea  1–5  Fiji Suva, Fiji
16:00 Semmy 88' Report Begg 2'
Dunn 43', 52'
A. Komolong 55' (o.g.)
Krishna 64'		 Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium
Attendance: 1,700
Referee: Calvin Berg (New Zealand)
19 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup Samoa  1–9  Fiji Suva, Fiji
19:00 Salisbury 47' Report Hughes 3', 61'
Dunn 38'
Krishna 45+3', 53'
Baravilala 64'
Begg 67'
Dogalau 83', 89'		 Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium
Attendance: 1'300
Referee: Calvin Berg (New Zealand)
22 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup Fiji  1–0  Tahiti Suva, Fiji
19:00 Krishna 26' Report Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium
Attendance: 1'500
Referee: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand)
27 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup SF Fiji  1–2  Vanuatu Port Vila, Vanuatu
15:00 Cavuilagi 46' Report Spokeyjack 11'
Thomas 57'		 Stadium: Freshwater Stadium
Attendance: 5'200
Referee: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand)
30 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup 3rd place Final Tahiti  2–1  Fiji Port Vila, Vanuatu
11:00 Tehau 72', 83' Report Krishna 58' Stadium: Freshwater Stadium
Attendance: 3'000
Referee: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand)
2 September Friendly Fiji  1–0  Solomon Islands Suva, Fiji
19:00 UTC+12
Report Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium
Referee: David Yareboinen (Papua New Guinea)
8 September Friendly Fiji  1–1  Hong Kong Lautoka, Fiji
15:00 UTC+12
Report
Stadium: Churchill Park
Referee: David Yareboinen (Papua New Guinea)
10 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying Solomon Islands  0–1  Fiji Suva, Fiji
19:00 UTC+12 Report Krishna 13' Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium
Attendance: 2,000[67]
Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)
14 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying Papua New Guinea  3–3  Fiji Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
16:00 UTC+10
Report
Stadium: PNG Football Stadium
Attendance: 1,428
Referee: Matthew Conger (Football New Zealand)
17 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying Fiji  1–1  New Caledonia Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
13:00 UTC+10
Report
Stadium: PNG Football Stadium
Attendance: 877
Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)
12 December 2024 MSG Prime Minister's Cup Fiji  v  New Caledonia Honiara, Solomon Islands
13:00 UTC+11 Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
15 December 2024 MSG Prime Minister's Cup Vanuatu  v  Fiji Honiara, Solomon Islands
18:00 UTC+11 Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium

2025

[edit]
21 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification New Zealand  –  Fiji Wellington, New Zealand
--:-- UTC+12 Stadium: Sky Stadium

Current technical staff

[edit]
Position
Head coach Wales Robert Sherman
Technical Director Germany Timo Jankowski
Manager Fiji Anushil Kumar
Assistant coach Fiji Sunil Kumar
Assistant coach Fiji Marika Rodu
Goalkeeping Coach England Bobby Mimms
Team Director Fiji Tarunesh Reddy
Physiotherapist Fiji Nishant Kumar
Physiotherapist Fiji Varoon Karan
Doctor Fiji Kapil Krishnam Swamy
Overseas Talent Scout New Zealand Alastair McLae
Overseas Talent Scout England Russ Gurr

Coaching history

[edit]

Players

[edit]

Current squad

[edit]

The following 23 players were called up for the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup.[68]

Caps and goals updated as of 22 June 2024, after the game against Tahiti.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Aydin Mustahib (2004-05-28) 28 May 2004 (age 20) 1 0 New Zealand Manurewa
20 1GK Joji Vuakaca (2003-03-24) 24 March 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Fiji Labasa
22 1GK Isikeli Sevanaia (2003-01-11) 11 January 2003 (age 21) 5 0 Fiji Rewa
2 2DF Scott Wara (1999-09-22) 22 September 1999 (age 25) 5 0 England Stafford Rangers
3 2DF Gabriele Matanisiga (1995-06-14) 14 June 1995 (age 29) 13 2 New Zealand Wellington Olympic
4 2DF Ivan Kumar (1997-06-17) 17 June 1997 (age 27) 5 0 Fiji Rewa
16 2DF Atonio Tuivuna (1995-03-20) 20 March 1995 (age 29) 10 1 Fiji Lautoka
17 2DF Filipe Baravilala (1994-11-25) 25 November 1994 (age 30) 12 1 Fiji Navua
18 2DF Lekima Gonerau (1989-12-08) 8 December 1989 (age 35) 7 0 Fiji Labasa
21 2DF Sterling Vasconcellos (2005-04-19) 19 April 2005 (age 19) 9 0 Fiji Lautoka
5 3MF Sitiveni Cavuilagi (1994-07-26) 26 July 1994 (age 30) 15 0 Fiji Lautoka
6 3MF Thomas Dunn (2003-01-19) 19 January 2003 (age 21) 9 6 Fiji Navua
7 3MF Mohammed Raheem (2003-08-10) 10 August 2003 (age 21) 4 2 Fiji Ba
8 3MF Setareki Hughes (1995-06-08) 8 June 1995 (age 29) 41 3 Fiji Rewa
10 3MF Nabil Begg (2004-03-17) 17 March 2004 (age 20) 12 4 New Zealand Auckland City
11 3MF Brendan McMullen (2002-06-30) 30 June 2002 (age 22) 5 0 New Zealand Stop Out
12 3MF Tevita Waranaivalu (1995-09-16) 16 September 1995 (age 29) 24 2 Fiji Rewa
13 3MF Mosese Nabose (1998-07-01) 1 July 1998 (age 26) 2 0 Fiji Tailevu Naitasiri
19 3MF Merrill Nand (2000-09-22) 22 September 2000 (age 24) 6 1 Fiji Suva
9 4FW Roy Krishna (1987-08-30) 30 August 1987 (age 37) 55 40 India Odisha
14 4FW Sairusi Nalaubu (1996-12-14) 14 December 1996 (age 28) 16 7 Fiji Lautoka
15 4FW Etonia Dogalau (2001-02-24) 24 February 2001 (age 23) 5 3 Fiji Ba
23 4FW Rusiate Matarerega (1993-01-17) 17 January 1993 (age 31) 18 4 Fiji Nadi

Recent call-ups

[edit]

The following players have also been called up to represent Fiji in the last 12 months:

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Atunaisa Naucukidi (1997-08-03) 3 August 1997 (age 27) 0 0 Fiji Ba 2024 OFC Men's Nations CupPRE
GK Akuila Mateisuva (1992-01-15) 15 January 1992 (age 32) 11 0 Fiji Suva 2023 Pacific Games
GK Mohammed Alzaar Alam (2000-02-08) 8 February 2000 (age 24) 5 0 Fiji Rewa 2023 Pacific Games
DF Epeli Lairoti (1995-06-03) 3 June 1995 (age 29) 7 0 Fiji Suva 2024 OFC Men's Nations CupPRE
DF Kishan Sami (2000-03-13) 13 March 2000 (age 24) 19 1 Fiji Rewa 2023 Pacific Games
DF Ilimotama Jese (1990-03-16) 16 March 1990 (age 34) 9 0 Fiji Lautoka 2023 Pacific Games
MF Dave Radrigai (1990-03-15) 15 March 1990 (age 34) 29 2 Fiji Suva 2024 OFC Men's Nations CupPRE
MF William Valentine (1997-10-11) 11 October 1997 (age 27) 1 0 Fiji Nadi 2024 OFC Men's Nations CupPRE
MF Mohammed Ramzan Khan (1999-11-22) 22 November 1999 (age 25) 1 0 Fiji Ba 2024 OFC Men's Nations CupPRE
MF Patrick Joseph (1998-05-03) 3 May 1998 (age 26) 19 2 Fiji Rewa 2023 Pacific Games
Notes
  • INJ Withdrew due to injury
  • PRE Preliminary squad / standby
  • RET Retired from the national team
  • WD Withdrew due to non-injury issue

Player records

[edit]
As of 17 November 2024[69]
Players in bold are still active with Fiji.

Most appearances

[edit]
Roy Krishna is Fiji's top goalscorer and their most capped player.
Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Roy Krishna 61 44 2007–present
2 Setareki Hughes 48 3 2016–present
3 Simione Tamanisau 39 0 2003–2019
4 Taniela Waqa 37 4 2003–2017
Remueru Tekiate 37 2 2012–present
5 Malakai Kainihewe 36 5 2001–2011
7 Esala Masi 34 31 1997–2005
8 Dave Radrigai 33 3 2015–present
9 Tevita Waranaivalu 31 3 2015–present
10 Lorima Dau 27 1 2002–2011

Top goalscorers

[edit]
Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Roy Krishna (list) 44 61 0.72 2007–present
2 Esala Masi 31 34 0.91 1997–2005
3 Osea Vakatalesau 14 19 0.74 2005–2017
4 Veresa Toma 10 15 0.67 2002–2011
Christopher Wasasala 10 24 0.42 2017–present
6 Saula Waqa 8 13 0.62 2017–2022
7 Shailemdra Lal 7 8 0.88 1998–2001
Thomas Dunn 7 14 0.5 2023–present
Maciu Dunadamu 7 15 0.47 2007–2015
Malakai Tiwa 7 19 0.37 2007–2016
Sairusi Nalaubu 7 20 0.35 2022–present

Competition record

[edit]

FIFA World Cup

[edit]
FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pos Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 to Chile 1962 Not member of FIFA Not member of FIFA
England 1966 Did not enter Declined participation
Mexico 1970
West Germany 1974
Argentina 1978
Spain 1982 Did not qualify 5th 8 1 3 4 6 35
Mexico 1986 Did not enter Did not enter
Italy 1990 Did not qualify 3rd 2 1 0 1 2 5
United States 1994 2nd 4 2 1 1 6 3
France 1998 2nd 4 2 0 2 4 7
South Korea Japan 2002 2nd 4 3 0 1 27 4
Germany 2006 4th 9 4 1 4 22 15
South Africa 2010 3rd 12 6 2 4 36 13
Brazil 2014 3rd 3 0 2 1 1 2
Russia 2018 3rd 7 1 1 5 7 14
Qatar 2022 3rd 3 1 0 2 3 7
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined TBD 3 1 2 0 5 4
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 0/15 59 22 12 25 119 109

Summer Olympics

[edit]

OFC Nations Cup

[edit]
Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
New Zealand 1973 Group stage 5th 4 0 0 4 2 13 No qualification
New Caledonia 1980 Fourth place 4th 4 2 0 2 11 9
Pacific Community 1996 Did not qualify 4 3 0 1 8 4
Australia 1998 Third place 3rd 4 2 0 2 8 6 4 3 1 0 8 2
French Polynesia 2000 Qualified but withdrew 4 3 1 0 13 4
New Zealand 2002 Group stage 5th 3 1 0 2 2 10 Qualified automatically
Australia 2004 Fourth place 4th 5 1 1 3 3 10 4 3 0 1 19 5
Pacific Community 2008 Third place 3rd 6 2 1 3 8 11 6 4 1 1 28 2
Solomon Islands 2012 Group stage 6th 3 0 2 1 1 2 Qualified automatically
Papua New Guinea 2016 6th 3 1 0 2 4 6
Fiji Vanuatu 2024 Fourth place 4th 5 3 0 2 17 6
Total Third place 9/11 37 12 4 21 56 73 22 16 3 3 76 17

Pacific Games

[edit]
South Pacific Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Fiji 1963 Runners-up 2nd 3 2 0 1 10 9
New Caledonia 1966 Did not enter
Papua New Guinea 1969 Fourth place 4th 6 2 1 3 12 19
French Polynesia 1971 Group stage 5th 3 1 0 2 16 12
Guam 1975 Fourth place 4th 4 1 1 2 14 7
Fiji 1979 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 1 1 31 3
Samoa 1983 Runners-up 2nd 6 5 0 1 26 4
New Caledonia 1987 Did not enter
Papua New Guinea 1991 Champions 1st 5 4 1 0 24 3
French Polynesia 1995 Third place 3rd 5 3 2 0 19 6
Fiji 2003 Champions 1st 6 5 1 0 22 3
Samoa 2007 Runners-up 2nd 6 4 1 1 28 2
New Caledonia 2011 Fourth place 4th 6 4 0 2 20 5
Papua New Guinea 2015 See Fiji national under-23 football team
Samoa 2019 Third place 3rd 6 3 2 1 26 8
Solomon Islands 2023 Third place 3rd 4 2 1 1 14 4
Total 2 titles 12/15 60 37 10 13 228 80

MSG Prime Minister's Cup

[edit]
MSG Prime Minister's Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Solomon Islands 1988 Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 14 2
Fiji 1989 Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 7 2
New Caledonia 1990 Third place 3rd 4 1 3 0 2 1
Vanuatu 1992 Champions 1st 3 2 1 0 6 3
Solomon Islands 1994 Runners-up 2nd 4 3 0 1 8 4
Vanuatu 1998 Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 8 2
Fiji 2000 Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 13 4
Vanuatu 2022 3rd place 3rd 4 2 1 1 4 3
New Caledonia 2023 Did not enter
Total 8/9 5 Titles 31 20 9 2 62 21

Head-to-head record

[edit]

Up to matches played on 17 November 2024.

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD WPCT
 American Samoa 4 4 0 0 39 0 +39 100.00
 Australia 9 2 0 7 6 38 −32 22.22
 China 1 0 0 1 1 4 −3 0.00
 Chinese Taipei 2 1 1 0 2 1 +1 50.00
 Cook Islands 4 4 0 0 26 2 +24 100.00
 Estonia 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 0.00
 Guam 4 4 0 0 45 1 +44 100.00
 Hong Kong 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0.00
 India 2 2 0 0 3 1 +2 100.00
 Indonesia 3 0 3 0 3 3 0 0.00
 Kiribati 3 3 0 0 45 0 +45 100.00
 Malaysia 5 2 1 2 8 5 +3 40.00
 Mauritius 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100.00
 Mexico 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 0.00
 New Caledonia 39 21 6 12 76 69 +7 53.85
 New Zealand 40 5 4 31 26 115 −89 12.50
 Northern Mariana Islands 1 1 0 0 10 0 +10 100.00
 Papua New Guinea 22 12 6 4 43 22 +21 54.55
 Philippines 1 0 0 1 2 3 −1 0.00
 Samoa[a] 6 6 0 0 31 3 +28 100.00
 Singapore 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 0.00
 Solomon Islands 43 19 15 9 76 46 +30 44.19
 Tahiti 36 8 9 19 40 65 −25 22.22
 Tonga 3 3 0 0 17 1 +16 100.00
 Tuvalu 5 5 0 0 47 1 +46 100.00
 Vanuatu[b] 37 21 6 10 83 41 +42 56.76
 Wallis and Futuna 1 1 0 0 5 0 +5 100.00
Total 276 125 52 99 636 428 +208 45.29
Source: 1951–99 results and 2000–present results.
Notes:
  1. ^ Includes results as Western Samoa.
  2. ^ Includes results as New Hebrides.

Best / Worst Results

[edit]

Source:[70][71]

Best

[edit]
  1. 24-0 Kiribati 1979
  2. 16-0 Tuvalu 2007
  3. 15-1 Cook Islands 1971
  4. 14-1 Guam 1991
  5. 13-0 American Samoa 2001
  6. 12-0 Guam 1993
  7. 12-0 Kiribati 2003
  8. 11-0 Guam 1975
  9. 11-0 American Samoa 2004
  10. 10-0 Solomon Islands 1983
  11. 10-0 Northern Mariana Islands 2023
  12. 10-1 Tuvalu 2019

Worst

[edit]
  1. 0-13 New Zealand 1981
  2. 0-11 New Caledonia 1969
  3. 0-10 Australia 1981
  4. 0-9 New Zealand 1952
  5. 0-8 Australia 2002

Honours

[edit]

Continental

[edit]

Regional

[edit]

Historical kits

[edit]
1961 Home
1979 Home
1983 Home
1983 Away
1988 Home
1998 Away
2000 Home
2000 Away
2004 Home
2004 Away
2007 Away
2012 Home
2016 Home
2016 Away

Sources:[72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 12 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  3. ^ "Fiji Football Association". fifa.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2007. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  4. ^ "List of New Zealand national soccer matches". Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  5. ^ "Fiji – International Results". Archived from the original on 13 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2018..
  6. ^ "About Fiji FA". fijifootball.com. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Football at the 1963 South Pacific Games". rsssf,com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  8. ^ "Football at the 1969 South Pacific Games". rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  9. ^ "Football at the 1971 South Pacific Games". rsssf,com. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  10. ^ "1973 Oceania Cup". rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  11. ^ "Football at the 1975 South Pacific Games". rsssf,com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  12. ^ Laurie Schwab (1976). "Taiwan soccer ban slated". The Age. p. 31. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  13. ^ fijifootball (24 August 2017). "Fiji Football To Honour 1977 Leagends". fijifootball.com. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  14. ^ a b "Football at the 1979 South Pacific Games". rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  15. ^ "Four up on All Whites". The Fiji Times. 27 December 2012. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  16. ^ "1980 Oceania Cup". rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  17. ^ "Our darkest day". The Fiji Times. 22 December 2012. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  18. ^ "Football at the 1983 South Pacific Games". rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  19. ^ "Soccer side attacks referee". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 September 1983. p. 13. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  20. ^ "Turner outed for 3 matches". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 December 1984. p. 31. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  21. ^ "Melanesian Cup 1988 (Solomon Islands)". rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  22. ^ "The Forgotten Story of ... the Socceroos' defeat to Fiji". The Guardian. 11 November 2014. Archived from the original on 25 March 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  23. ^ Sun Herald (4 December 1988). "5-goal Blitz Dumps Fijians". nadi.com.au. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  24. ^ "Socceroos wary of desperate Fiji". theage.com. The Age. 10 July 2002. Archived from the original on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  25. ^ "Melanesian Cup 1989 (Fiji)". rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  26. ^ "Melanesian Cup 1990 (New Caledonia)". rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  27. ^ "South Pacific Games 1991 (Papua New Guinea)". rsssf,com. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  28. ^ "Melanesian Cup 1992 (Vanuatu)". rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  29. ^ "Melanesian Cup 1994 (Solomon Islands)". rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  30. ^ "1995 South Pacific Games". rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  31. ^ a b "Oceanian Nations Cup 1998". rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  32. ^ "Oceanian Nations Cup 2000". rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  33. ^ Bronwyn, Sell (30 June 2000). "Official cheers as Fiji fixtures dry up". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 9 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  34. ^ "Fiji open qualifying with 13 goals". ESPN. 7 April 2001. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  35. ^ "Australia beat Fiji to top qualifying group". ESPN. 14 April 2001. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  36. ^ "A good Knight for Socceroos". The Age. 11 July 2002. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  37. ^ "Les Fidji couronnées reines du Pacifique Sud" (in French). FIFA. 21 July 2003. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  38. ^ "South Pacific Games 2003 (Fiji)". rsssf.com. 20 August 2015. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  39. ^ "Stage 2 teams for Adelaide confirmed". websites.sportstg.com. 27 May 2004. Archived from the original on 14 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  40. ^ "Oceanian Nations Cup 2004". rsssf.com. 9 October 2008. Archived from the original on 11 July 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  41. ^ "Fiji on top, Vanuatu through". FIFA. 4 September 2007. Archived from the original on 14 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  42. ^ "Joy for New Caledonia and Vanuatu". FIFA. 8 September 2007. Archived from the original on 14 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  43. ^ "South Pacific Games 2007 (Samoa)". rsssf.com. 20 August 2015. Archived from the original on 13 August 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  44. ^ "OFC five hit new highs". FIFA. 17 September 2007. Archived from the original on 14 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  45. ^ "Fiji match pulled over visa row". BBC. 12 October 2007. Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  46. ^ "A 'new' dawn in Oceania". FIFA. 21 November 2007. Archived from the original on 14 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  47. ^ "Fiji march into semi-finals". Oceania Football Confederation. 3 September 2011. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  48. ^ "Hosts win through to men's and women's finals". Oceania Football Confederation. 8 September 2011. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  49. ^ "Tahiti and Fiji earn bronze medals". Oceania Football Confederation. 9 September 2011. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  50. ^ "Buzzetti returns to guide Fiji". Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  51. ^ "Tight battles define second day". 2 June 2012. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  52. ^ "NZ through as hosts and Fiji draw blanks". Oceania Football Confederation. 4 June 2012. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  53. ^ "Fiji sides test Phoenix". Oceania Football Confederation. 29 June 2015. Archived from the original on 17 September 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  54. ^ "Honours Shared in Fiji Airways Tour Finale". wellintonphoenix.com. 1 July 2015. Archived from the original on 17 September 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  55. ^ "All Whites and Solomons off the mark". Oceania Football Confederation. 29 May 2016. Archived from the original on 17 September 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  56. ^ "All Whites in driving seat". Oceania Football Confederation. 1 June 2016. Archived from the original on 17 September 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  57. ^ "New Zealand take full points into semis". Oceania Football Confederation. 5 June 2016. Archived from the original on 17 September 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  58. ^ "Fiji appoint new coach". Oceania Football Confederation. 27 January 2017. Archived from the original on 22 February 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  59. ^ "Fiji fight back to catch New Caledonia". Oceania Football Confederation. 7 June 2017. Archived from the original on 17 September 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  60. ^ "Fiji camisa de futebol 1980 – 1984". 27 February 2011. Archived from the original on 8 October 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  61. ^ "Antigo(a) Fiji camisas de futebol". Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  62. ^ "ABOUT FIJI FA". fijifootball.com. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  63. ^ "South Pacific Games 1979 – Fiji". Solomon Islands Games Record. Fox Sports Pulse. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  64. ^ Ratuva, Anasilini (9 August 2012). "$17.5m For Stadium Upgrade". Fiji Sun. Archived from the original on 26 April 2016.
  65. ^ "International Friendly: Fiji vs. Vanuatu". soccerway. 6 September 2008. Archived from the original on 19 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  66. ^ "2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – Fiji vs. New Zealand". Oceania Football Confederation. 25 March 2017. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  67. ^ "Solomon Islands vs Fiji". Oceania Football Confedetation. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  68. ^ "The DIGICEL Fiji Men's National Extended Squad has been called up for the National Camp next month in preparation for the OFC Nations Cup 2024". Twitter. Fiji Football Association. 24 April 2024.
  69. ^ "Fiji". National Football Teams.
  70. ^ "Fiji".
  71. ^ "Fiji - Historical results".
  72. ^ "FOOTBALL IN FIJI". 2023.
  73. ^ "1961". Facebook.
  74. ^ "1979". Facebook.
  75. ^ "1983".
  76. ^ "1988". Facebook.
  77. ^ "1998". Facebook.
  78. ^ "2004".
  79. ^ "2012".
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fiji national football team.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fiji_national_football_team&oldid=1261840680"