# Samoa national football team

The Samoa men's national association 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 | Period |
| Puma | ? |
| Lotto | 2003 |
| Uhlsport | 2005 |
| Lotto | 2007–2013 |
| Nike | 2015–2016 |
| Adidas | 2017 |
| 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
## 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

* Terry Epa (1996–2001)
* Vic Fernandez (2001–2002)
* Malo Vaga (2002)
* David Brand (2002/2005)
* Rudi Gutendorf (2003)
* Falevi Umutaua (2007)
* Tunoa Lui (2011)
* Malo Vaga (2012–2014)
* Phineas Young (2014–2016)
* Scott Easthope (2016–2018)
* Paul Ualesi (2019)
* Matt Calcott (2021–2022)
* Ryan Stewart (2023–present)

## Players

The following players were called up for the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup.
Caps and goals correct as of 22 June 2024, after the game against Papua New Guinea.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
| 1GK | Joel Bartley | (2005-04-13) 13 April 2005 (age 19) | 7 | 0 | Sydney United |
| 1GK | Paul Taupau | (2006-01-01) 1 January 2006 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | Franklin United |
| 1GK | Kirk Auvele | (2006-06-10) 10 June 2006 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | Vaivase-Tai |
| 2DF | Andrew Setefano | (1987-08-10) 10 August 1987 (age 37) | 23 | 0 | Lupe o le Soaga |
| 2DF | Faitalia Hamilton-Pama | (1993-05-17) 17 May 1993 (age 31) | 9 | 1 | Western Springs |
| 2DF | Luke Salisbury | (2004-09-15) 15 September 2004 (age 20) | 8 | 1 | Roslyn-Wakari |
| 2DF | Luke Tolo-Kent | (2003-04-29) 29 April 2003 (age 21) | 8 | 0 | Miramar Rangers |
| 2DF | Taine Wilson | (2004-11-08) 8 November 2004 (age 20) | 7 | 0 | Nelson Suburbs |
| 2DF | Harry Chote | (1999-11-04) 4 November 1999 (age 25) | 3 | 0 | Miramar Rangers |
| 2DF | Niko Steinmetz | (2000-04-20) 20 April 2000 (age 24) | 3 | 0 | Western Springs |
| 3MF | Dauntae Mariner | (2000-01-25) 25 January 2000 (age 25) | 8 | 0 | Nelson Suburbs |
| 3MF | Kaleb De Groot-Green | (2002-05-11) 11 May 2002 (age 22) | 6 | 0 | Christchurch United |
| 3MF | Jarvis Filimalae | (2003-04-20) 20 April 2003 (age 21) | 5 | 0 | Lupe o le Soaga |
| 3MF | Alex Malauulu | (2006-03-12) 12 March 2006 (age 18) | 2 | 0 | San Jorge |
| 3MF | Caleb Hilbron | (2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 (age 23) | 1 | 0 | Island Bay United |
| 3MF | Jesse Vine | (2003-01-23) 23 January 2003 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Kemps Creek United |
| 4FW | Pharrell Trainor | (2006-06-20) 20 June 2006 (age 18) | 6 | 2 | TSV Schott Mainz |
| 4FW | Dilo Tumua | (2000-03-15) 15 March 2000 (age 24) | 5 | 3 | Vaivase-Tai |
| 4FW | Michael Tumua Leo | (2003-01-15) 15 January 2003 (age 22) | 5 | 5 | Lupe o le Soaga |
| 4FW | Kyah Cahill | (2003-03-13) 13 March 2003 (age 21) | 2 | 0 | unattached |
| 4FW | Juan Gobbi | (2005-11-17) 17 November 2005 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | unattached |
| 4FW | Darcy Knight | (2000-02-18) 18 February 2000 (age 25) | 2 | 0 | Onehunga Mangere United |
| 4FW | Greg Siamoa | (2003-08-21) 21 August 2003 (age 21) | 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 (age 28) | 0 | 0 | Lupe o le Soaga | v. Cook Islands, 23 March 2024 |
| DF | Jefferson Faamatau | (2000-07-12) 12 July 2000 (age 24) | 0 | 0 | Vaipuna | v. Cook Islands, 23 March 2024 |
| DF | Jerrymiah Maiava | (2000-09-19) 19 September 2000 (age 24) | 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 (age 22) | 5 | 2 | Vaivase-Tai | v. Cook Islands, 23 March 2024 |
| MF | Va'a Taualai | (1998-06-04) 4 June 1998 (age 26) | 6 | 2 | Lupe o le Soaga | v. Cook Islands, 23 March 2024 |
| MF | Reupena Fasi | (2005-01-14) 14 January 2005 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | Goldstar Sogi | v. Cook Islands, 23 March 2024 |
| MF | Viliami Viliamu | (1996-08-26) 26 August 1996 (age 28) | 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 (age 23) | 2 | 0 | Vailima Kiwi | 2023 Pacific Games |
| MF | Darren Talilai | (1995-10-23) 23 October 1995 (age 29) | 2 | 0 | Lupe o le Soaga | 2023 Pacific Games |
| MF | Samuelu Malo | (1999-04-04) 4 April 1999 (age 25) | 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 (age 19) | 3 | 1 | Faatoia United | v. Cook Islands, 23 March 2024 |
| FW | Xavier Tanielu | (1999-03-02) 2 March 1999 (age 26) | 2 | 0 | Vaivase-Tai | v. Cook Islands, 23 March 2024 |
| FW | Alton Leiataua | (2005-11-27) 27 November 2005 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | Vaivase-Tai | v. Cook Islands, 23 March 2024 |
| FW | Ethelbert Edward | (2007-09-03) 3 September 2007 (age 17) | 0 | 0 | Lepea | v. Cook Islands, 23 March 2024 |

## Player records

    As of 18 November 2024
    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 |
| 3 | Lionel Taylor | 14 | 1 | 2004–2016 |
| 5 | Junior Michael | 13 | 5 | 1996–2007 |
| 5 | Luke Tolo Kent | 13 | 0 | 2023–present |
| 5 | Dauntae Mariner | 13 | 0 | 2023–present |
| 5 | Luke Salisbury | 13 | 2 | 2023–present |
| 9 | Silao Malo | 12 | 2 | 2011–2016 |
| 9 | Jarrell Sale | 12 | 0 | 2007–2015 |
| 9 | 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 |
| 2 | 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 |
| 5 | Vito Laloata | 3 | 4 | 0.75 | 2015–2019 |
| 5 | Nathan Viliamu | 3 | 7 | 0.43 | 2024–present |
| 5 | Pualele Lemana | 3 | 11 | 0.27 | 2001–2004 |

## Competitive record
### FIFA World Cup

| FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup qualification record | FIFA World Cup qualification record | FIFA World Cup qualification record | FIFA World Cup qualification record | FIFA World Cup qualification 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 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member |
| as Western Samoa | as Western Samoa | as Western Samoa | as Western Samoa | as Western Samoa | as Western Samoa | as Western Samoa | as Western Samoa | as Western Samoa | as Western Samoa | as Western Samoa | as Western Samoa | as Western Samoa | as Western Samoa | as Western Samoa |
| 1990 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1994 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| as Samoa | as Samoa | as Samoa | as Samoa | as Samoa | as Samoa | as Samoa | as Samoa | as Samoa | as Samoa | as Samoa | as Samoa | as Samoa | as Samoa | as Samoa |
| 1998 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 2002 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 18 |
| 2006 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 11 |
| 2010 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 8 |
| 2014 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 27 |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 22 |
| 2022 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 2026 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 2030 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| 2034 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | – | 0/9 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 30 | 11 | 1 | 18 | 41 | 89 |

### OFC Nations Cup

| Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record | Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record | Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record | Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record | Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record | Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record | Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record | Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record | Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record | Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record |
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| as Western Samoa |||||||||||||||||
| 1973 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1980 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1996 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 10 |
| as Samoa |||||||||||||||||
| 1998 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 7 |
| 2000 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 6 |
| 2002 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 9 |
| 2004 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 11 |
| 2008 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 8 |
| 2012 | Group stage | 8th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 24 | Squad | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| 2016 | Group stage | 8th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 19 | Squad | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 |
| 2024 | Group stage | 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 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1966 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1969 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1971 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1975 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1979 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 19 |
| 1983 | Quarter-finals | 6th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 |
| 1987 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1991 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1995 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 2003 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 2007 | Group stage | 5th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 8 |
| 2011 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 2015 | N/A – tournament was U23 | N/A – tournament was U23 | N/A – tournament was U23 | N/A – tournament was U23 | N/A – tournament was U23 | N/A – tournament was U23 | N/A – tournament was U23 | 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
| 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.