Samoa national football team

Samoa
AssociationFootball Federation Samoa
ConfederationOFC (Oceania)
Head coachJess Ibrom
CaptainAndrew Setefano
Most capsAndrew Setefano (28)
Top scorerDesmond Fa'aiuaso (9)
Home stadiumNational Soccer Stadium
FIFA codeSAM
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 189 3 (3 April 2025)[1]
Highest146 (December 2007)
Lowest204 (November 2011)
First international
 Solomon Islands 12–0  
(Suva, Fiji; 31 August 1979)
Biggest win
  10–0 American Samoa 
(Honiara, Solomon Islands; 20 November 2023)
Biggest defeat
 Tahiti 13–0  
(Honiara, Solomon Islands; 13 July 1981)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances3 (first in 2012)
Best resultGroup stage (2012, 2016, 2024)
Pacific Games
Appearances5 (first in 1979)
Best resultQuarter-finals (1983)

The Samoa national football team (Samoan: Sāmoa soka au) represents Samoa in men's international football and is controlled by the Football Federation Samoa, the governing body for football in Samoa. Samoa's home ground is Toleafoa J. S. Blatter Soccer Stadium in Apia. It was known as the Western Samoa national football team until 1997.

History

Beginnings (1979–1993)

Although they had not taken part in the first five editions of the South Pacific Games, their geographical proximity to Fiji, host of 1979 South Pacific Games, allowed them to participate for the first time. They lost both group stage matches to Wallis and Futuna 3–1 and Solomon Islands 12–0. Four years later, as hosts of the 1983 edition, they beat American Samoa 3–1, drew 3–3 with Tonga and fell again to Wallis and Futuna, but the results allowed them to advance to the next round. In the quarterfinals, Tahiti eliminated them by beating them 2–0.

Samoa entered qualification for the 1988 Summer Olympics however they were defeated by New Zealand over two legs, losing 7–0 at home before being defeated 12–0 in Auckland. In the playoffs for the next round, Samoa lost to Chinese Taipei 5–0 and were eliminated.

Regional Frustrations (1994–2010)

In 1994 they hosted the first edition of the Polynesia Cup, where they beat American Samoa, tied with Tonga and lost to Tahiti to finish in third position. In 1998 they were third again, coming within a point of the Cook Islands in second. Samoa returned to finish third again in the 2000 edition by beating Tonga and American Samoa, but losing to the Cook Islands and Tahiti.

After four tournaments absent, they returned in the 2007 South Pacific Games as hosts. They managed six points by beating Tonga and American Samoa again, but were eliminated after losing to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

OFC Nations Cup (2011–present)

In 2011, they hosted the OFC Nations Cup qualifying tournament. There, they beat the Cook Islands 3–2, drew 1–1 with Tonga and defeated American Samoa 1–0 to qualify for the first time in their history. At the championship proper, they were beaten 10–1 by Tahiti, 5–0 by Vanuatu and 9–0 by New Caledonia.

In the 2016 qualifiers, they beat American Samoa 3–2 and lost 1–0 to the Cook Islands. In their final game, the Samoan team defeated Tonga 3–0 and qualified on goal difference, because of American Samoa's 2–0 win over the Cookian team. At the tournament, which took place in Papua New Guinea, the Samoan team lost 4–0 to Tahiti, 7–0 to New Caledonia and 8–0 to the local team. Therefore, they finished in last place in their group without a single point.

During 2024 qualifying, Samoa qualified for the final tournament after a 4-1 win over Tonga, and a 1-0 win against Cook Islands. Samoa were then eliminated from the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup after a 2-0 defeat to Tahiti, a 9-1 defeat against co-hosts Fiji, and a 2-1 defeat against Papua New Guinea; this ensured their elimination as Samoa placed fourth in Group B after conceding thirteen goals without a single point.

Kit sponsorship

Kit supplier[3] Period
Puma 1998
Lotto 2000
Admiral 2001
Uhlsport 2002
Lotto 2004
Uhlsport 2005
Lotto 2006–2014
Nike 2015–2016
Adidas 2016–2018
FC 2018
Lotto 2019–

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.

2024

20 March 2024 OFC Nations Cup qualification Tonga  1–4   Nuku'alofa, Tonga
14:00 Kite 90+5' Report
  • Tumua 11' (pen.)
  • Viliamu 45+1', 60'
  • Stowers 89'
Stadium: Teufaiva Stadium
Attendance: 300
Referee: Luke Gardner (New Zealand)
23 March 2024 OFC Nations Cup qualification   1–0  Cook Islands Nuku'alofa, Tonga
11:00
  • Taualai 88'
Report Stadium: Teufaiva Stadium
Referee: Pari Oito (Tahiti)
16 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup Tahiti  2–0   Suva, Fiji
11:00 Report Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium
Attendance: 500
Referee: Ben Aukwai (Solomon Islands)
19 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup   1–9  Fiji Suva, Fiji
11:00
  • Salisbury 47'
Report
Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium
Attendance: 1,300
Referee: Calvin Berg (New Zealand)
22 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup   1–2  Papua New Guinea Suva, Fiji
14:00
Report
Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium
Attendance: 500
Referee: Ben Aukwai (Solomon Islands)
6 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification American Samoa  0–2   Apia, Samoa
15:00 UTC+13 (FIFA) Report
(OFC) Report
Stadium: National Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 600
Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)
9 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Tonga  1–2 (a.e.t.)   Apia, Samoa
15:00 UTC+13
  • Sonasi 45+1'
(FIFA) Report
(OFC) Report
  • Salisbury 82'
  • Faamatau 105+3'
Stadium: National Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 500
Referee: Mederic Lacour (New Caledonia)
12 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Vanuatu  4–1   Port Vila, Vanuatu
14:00 UTC+11
Report Viliamu 55' Stadium: VFF Freshwater Stadium
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Ben Aukwai (Solomon Islands)
15 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification   0–3  Tahiti Hamilton, New Zealand
15:00 UTC+13 Report
Stadium: Waikato Stadium
Attendance: 638
Referee: Kavitesh Behari (Fiji)
18 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification   0–8  New Zealand Auckland, New Zealand
19:30 UTC+13 Report
Stadium: Mount Smart Stadium
Attendance: 5,327
Referee: Veer Singh (Fiji)

Coaching staff

Position Name
Head coach Jess Ibrom
Assistant coach Alastair McLae
Goalkeeping coach Joseph Kapisi
Team manager Saolotoga Pula
Technical adviser Jess Ibrom
Gear manager Bevan Kapisi
International Scout Alastair McLae
International Scout Russ Gurr

Coaching history

Players

The following players were called up for the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup.[4]

Caps and goals correct as of 22 June 2024, after the game against Papua New Guinea.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Joel Bartley (2005-04-13) 13 April 2005 7 0 Sydney United
1GK Paul Taupau (2006-01-01) 1 January 2006 1 0 Franklin United
1GK Kirk Auvele (2006-06-10) 10 June 2006 0 0 Vaivase-Tai

2DF Andrew Setefano (1987-08-10) 10 August 1987 23 0 Lupe o le Soaga
2DF Faitalia Hamilton-Pama (1993-05-17) 17 May 1993 9 1 Western Springs
2DF Luke Salisbury (2004-09-15) 15 September 2004 8 1 Roslyn-Wakari
2DF Luke Tolo-Kent (2003-04-29) 29 April 2003 8 0 Miramar Rangers
2DF Taine Wilson (2004-11-08) 8 November 2004 7 0 Nelson Suburbs
2DF Harry Chote (1999-11-04) 4 November 1999 3 0 Miramar Rangers
2DF Niko Steinmetz (2000-04-20) 20 April 2000 3 0 Western Springs

3MF Dauntae Mariner (2000-01-25) 25 January 2000 8 0 Nelson Suburbs
3MF Kaleb De Groot-Green (2002-05-11) 11 May 2002 6 0 Christchurch United
3MF Jarvis Filimalae (2003-04-20) 20 April 2003 5 0 Lupe o le Soaga
3MF Alex Malauulu (2006-03-12) 12 March 2006 2 0 San Jorge
3MF Caleb Hilbron (2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 1 0 Island Bay United
3MF Jesse Vine (2003-01-23) 23 January 2003 1 0 Kemps Creek United

4FW Pharrell Trainor (2006-06-20) 20 June 2006 6 2 TSV Schott Mainz
4FW Dilo Tumua (2000-03-15) 15 March 2000 5 3 Vaivase-Tai
4FW Michael Tumua Leo (2003-01-15) 15 January 2003 5 5 Lupe o le Soaga
4FW Kyah Cahill (2003-03-13) 13 March 2003 2 0 unattached
4FW Juan Gobbi (2005-11-17) 17 November 2005 2 0 unattached
4FW Darcy Knight (2000-02-18) 18 February 2000 2 0 Onehunga Mangere United
4FW Greg Siamoa (2003-08-21) 21 August 2003 1 0 Life FC

Recent call-ups

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
DF Key Viliamu (1996-08-26) 26 August 1996 0 0 Lupe o le Soaga v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
DF Jefferson Faamatau (2000-07-12) 12 July 2000 0 0 Vaipuna v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
DF Jerrymiah Maiava (2000-09-19) 19 September 2000 0 0 Vaivase-Tai v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
DF Legend Spencer 2 0 FC Minneapolis 2023 Pacific Games

MF Alman Kwan (2003-01-18) 18 January 2003 5 2 Vaivase-Tai v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
MF Va'a Taualai (1998-06-04) 4 June 1998 6 2 Lupe o le Soaga v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
MF Reupena Fasi (2005-01-14) 14 January 2005 2 0 Goldstar Sogi v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
MF Viliami Viliamu (1996-08-26) 26 August 1996 2 0 Lupe o le Soaga v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
MF Nathan Viliamu 2 2 v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
MF Popese Smith 1 0 v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
MF Falaniko Nanumea (2002-01-17) 17 January 2002 2 0 Vailima Kiwi 2023 Pacific Games
MF Darren Talilai (1995-10-23) 23 October 1995 2 0 Lupe o le Soaga 2023 Pacific Games
MF Samuelu Malo (1999-04-04) 4 April 1999 1 0 Vailima Kiwi 2023 Pacific Games
MF Tuuga Malaeamanu 1 0 Adidas SC 2023 Pacific Games

FW Ethan Stowers (2005-10-26) 26 October 2005 3 1 Faatoia United v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
FW Xavier Tanielu (1999-03-02) 2 March 1999 2 0 Vaivase-Tai v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
FW Alton Leiataua (2005-11-27) 27 November 2005 1 0 Vaivase-Tai v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024
FW Ethelbert Edward (2007-09-03) 3 September 2007 0 0 Lepea v.  Cook Islands, 23 March 2024

Player records

As of 18 November 2024[5]
Players in bold are still active with Samoa.

Most appearances

Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Andrew Setefano 28 0 2011–present
2 Desmond Fa'aiuaso 20 9 2001–2016
3 Filipo Bureta 14 0 2001–2016
Lionel Taylor 14 1 2004–2016
5 Junior Michael 13 5 1996–2007
Luke Tolo Kent 13 0 2023–present
Dauntae Mariner 13 0 2023–present
Luke Salisbury 13 2 2023–present
9 Silao Malo 12 2 2011–2016
Jarrell Sale 12 0 2007–2015
Mike Saofaiga 12 0 2011–2019

Top goalscorers

Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Desmond Fa'aiuaso 9 20 0.45 2001–2016
2 Michael Tumua Leo 5 6 0.83 2023–present
Junior Michael 5 13 0.38 1996–2007
4 Dilo Tumua 4 7 0.57 2023–present
5 Tama Fasavalu 3 4 0.75 2002–2004
Vito Laloata 3 4 0.75 2015–2019
Nathan Viliamu 3 7 0.43 2024–present
Pualele Lemana 3 11 0.27 2001–2004

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1986 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
as   as  
1990 Did not enter Did not enter
1994 Withdrew Withdrew
as   as  
1998 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 2 2
2002 4 1 0 3 9 18
2006 4 1 0 3 5 11
2010 4 2 0 2 9 8
2014 6 2 1 3 6 27
2018 6 2 0 4 6 22
2022 Withdrew Withdrew
2026 Did not qualify 5 2 0 3 5 16
2030 To be determined To be determined
2034
Total 0/9 31 11 1 19 42 104

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
as  
1973 Did not enter Did not enter
1980
1996 Did not qualify 3 1 1 1 5 10
as  
1998 Did not qualify 4 2 0 2 8 7
2000 4 2 0 2 13 6
2002 4 2 0 2 8 9
2004 4 1 0 3 5 11
2008 4 2 0 2 9 8
2012 Group stage 8th 3 0 0 3 1 24 Squad 3 2 1 0 5 3
2016 8th 3 0 0 3 0 19 Squad 3 2 0 1 6 3
2024 7th 3 0 0 3 2 13 Squad 2 2 0 0 5 1
Total Group stage 3/11 9 0 0 9 3 56 31 16 2 13 64 58

Pacific Games

Pacific Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1963 Did not enter
1966
1969
1971
1975
1979 Group stage 10th 3 0 0 3 3 19
1983 Quarter-finals 6th 4 1 1 2 7 8
1987 Did not enter
1991
1995
2003
2007 Group stage 5th 4 2 0 2 9 8
2011 Did not enter
2015 N/A – tournament was U23
2019 Group stage 8th 4 1 0 3 3 22
2023 Group stage 7th 4 2 0 2 14 3
Total Quarter-finals 5/16 19 6 1 12 36 60

Head-to-head record

As of 15 November 2024[6]

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD WPCT
 American Samoa 12 12 0 0 56 5 +51 100.00
 Australia 1 0 0 1 0 11 −11 0.00
 Chinese Taipei 1 0 0 1 0 5 −5 0.00
 Cook Islands 7 3 1 3 9 9 0 42.86
 Fiji 6 0 0 6 3 31 −28 0.00
 Guam 1 0 0 1 2 4 −2 0.00
 New Caledonia 4 0 0 4 0 29 −29 0.00
 New Zealand 2 0 0 2 0 19 −19 0.00
 Papua New Guinea 6 0 0 6 5 28 −23 0.00
 Solomon Islands 4 0 0 4 0 21 −21 0.00
 Tahiti 10 0 0 10 4 50 −46 0.00
 Tonga 13 8 3 2 27 11 +16 61.54
 Tuvalu 1 0 0 1 0 3 −3 0.00
 Vanuatu 6 0 0 6 2 40 −38 0.00
 Wallis and Futuna 2 0 0 2 2 5 −3 0.00
Total 76 23 4 49 110 271 −161 30.26

Includes results as Western Samoa.

Historical kits

References

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 3 April 2025. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 6 July 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  3. ^ "Samoa Football Shirts". OldFootballShirts.com. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  4. ^ "Samoa Squad". Friends of Football. 12 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Samoa". National Football Teams.
  6. ^ "World Football Elo Ratings: Samoa". Elo Ratings. Archived from the original on 20 January 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2017.