# Tonga national football team

The Tonga men's national football team (Tongan: timi soka fakafonua ʻa Tonga) represents Tonga in men's international football and is controlled by the Tonga Football Association, which is a part of the Oceania Football Confederation.

## Information
### 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.

## Team image
### Kit sponsorship

| Kit supplier | Period |
| Lotto | 2007–2013 |
| | 2013–2017 |
| Erspo | 2025– |

## Coaching history

* Tongia Nāpa'a (1979)
* Rudi Gutendorf (1981)
* Umberto Mottini (1997–1998)
* Gary Phillips (2001)
* Heinave Kaifa (2002–2003)
* Milan Janković (2003–2005)
* Ben Perry (2005–2006)
* Reece McLaughlin (2006–2007)
* Chris Williams (2011)
* Timote Moleni (2015–2023)
* Kilifi Uele (2024–present)

## Players
### Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 World Cup qualification matches in September 2024.
Caps and goals updated as of 9 September 2024, after the game against Samoa.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
| 1GK | Semisi ‘Otukolo | (1999-06-23) 23 June 1999 (age 25) | 12 | 0 | Veitongo |
| 1GK | Unaloto Pahulu | (2006-10-18) 18 October 2006 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | Folaha |
| 2DF | Kulisitofa Kite | (2003-01-17) 17 January 2003 (age 22) | 7 | 1 | Veitongo |
| 2DF | Petelo Naniseni | (2003-12-20) 20 December 2003 (age 21) | 7 | 0 | Navutoka |
| 2DF | David-John Tuamoheloa | (2004-06-30) 30 June 2004 (age 20) | 6 | 0 | Manukau United |
| 2DF | Petelo Manu | (2005-12-19) 19 December 2005 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | Marist |
| 2DF | Viliami Tikoipau | (2001-01-07) 7 January 2001 (age 24) | 2 | 1 | Manukau United |
| 2DF | Utu'one Lea'aetoa | (2005-02-16) 16 February 2005 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | Veitongo |
| 3MF | Fineasi Palei | (1989-05-20) 20 May 1989 (age 35) | 12 | 0 | Launceston City |
| 3MF | Christopher Kefu | (2003-02-11) 11 February 2003 (age 22) | 6 | 1 | Veitongo |
| 3MF | Ulafala Sonasi | (2007-07-28) 28 July 2007 (age 17) | 4 | 1 | Marist |
| 3MF | Topuluka Tuamoheloa | | 3 | 0 | Lower Hutt City |
| 3MF | Va'inga Teu | (2006-02-12) 12 February 2006 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | Fahefa |
| 3MF | Tomasi Armitage | (2005-05-26) 26 May 2005 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | Waikato Unicol |
| 3MF | Hakeai Fonua | (2008-09-01) 1 September 2008 (age 16) | 0 | 0 | Ahau |
| 3MF | Herick Funaki | (2003-08-07) 7 August 2003 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Longolongo |
| 3MF | Maikeli Lomu | (1997-10-29) 29 October 1997 (age 27) | 0 | 0 | Veitongo |
| 4FW | Hemaloto Polovili | (1997-07-27) 27 July 1997 (age 27) | 17 | 4 | Veitongo |
| 4FW | Lisiate Feke | (2004-03-25) 25 March 2004 (age 20) | 8 | 0 | Veitongo |
| 4FW | Amoni Fifita | (2004-06-26) 26 June 2004 (age 20) | 8 | 3 | Makave |
| 4FW | Vilikisepi Tai | (2006-02-24) 24 February 2006 (age 19) | 4 | 0 | Fahefa |
| 4FW | Viliami Tukia | (2001-01-07) 7 January 2001 (age 24) | 2 | 0 | Lami |
| 4FW | Ata Inia | (2000-04-25) 25 April 2000 (age 24) | 0 | 0 | Chanthaburi |

### Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up within the last 12 months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
| GK | Nimilote Moala | (2003-07-18) 18 July 2003 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | Veitongo | v. Cook Islands; 26 March 2024 |
| GK | Justin Toetu’u | | 1 | 0 | Longolongo | 2023 Pacific Games |
| DF | Atieli 'Aho | (2007-01-23) 23 January 2007 (age 18) | 2 | 0 | Nukuhetulu | v. Samoa; 9 September 2024 $^{PRE}$ |
| DF | Laulea Taufa | (1999-07-14) 14 July 1999 (age 25) | 11 | 0 | Veitongo | v. Cook Islands; 26 March 2024 |
| DF | Sione Talia'uli | (2006-05-29) 29 May 2006 (age 18) | 2 | 0 | Fasi-Moe-Afi | v. Cook Islands; 26 March 2024 |
| DF | Sione Tu’ifangaloka | (1999-04-24) 24 April 1999 (age 25) | 6 | 0 | Veitongo | 2023 Pacific Games |
| DF | Nicolas Vea | (2003-10-31) 31 October 2003 (age 21) | 4 | 0 | Navutoka | 2023 Pacific Games |
| DF | Fakaofo Tonga | (2004-10-29) 29 October 2004 (age 20) | 3 | 0 | Navutoka | 2023 Pacific Games |
| DF | Ta’u Tupou | | 1 | 0 | Vava'u | 2023 Pacific Games |
| MF | Kamaliele Papani | (1984-04-08) 8 April 1984 (age 40) | 14 | 0 | Veitongo | v. Cook Islands; 26 March 2024 |
| MF | Vai Lutu | (1999-09-30) 30 September 1999 (age 25) | 11 | 0 | Veitongo | v. Cook Islands; 26 March 2024 |
| MF | Tuia Falepapalangi | (2000-07-15) 15 July 2000 (age 24) | 6 | 0 | Veitongo | v. Cook Islands; 26 March 2024 |
| MF | Mohammed Rajani | (1999-04-19) 19 April 1999 (age 25) | 6 | 1 | Rockdale Ilinden | v. Cook Islands; 26 March 2024 |
| MF | Tau’aika Sonasi | | 5 | 0 | Marist | v. Cook Islands; 26 March 2024 |
| MF | Petueli Tokotaha | (2000-09-10) 10 September 2000 (age 24) | 6 | 2 | Navutoka | 2023 Pacific Games |
| MF | Petueli Tokotaha | (2004-03-25) 25 March 2004 (age 20) | 3 | 0 | Longolongo | 2023 Pacific Games |
| MF | Taniela Vaka’uta | | 2 | 0 | Folaha | 2023 Pacific Games |
| DF | Lafaela Moala | (1982-07-22) 22 July 1982 (age 42) | 0 | 0 | Unattached | v. Samoa; 9 September 2024 $^{PRE}$ |
| FW | Elias Kendler | | 4 | 1 | Haʻamoko United Youth | v. Cook Islands; 26 March 2024 |
| FW | Feki Tufi | (2000-04-11) 11 April 2000 (age 24) | 2 | 0 | Veitongo | v. Cook Islands; 26 March 2024 |
| FW | William Foliaki | | 0 | 0 | Unknown | v. Cook Islands; 26 March 2024 |
| FW | Nuku ‘Esau | | 3 | 0 | Navutoka | 2023 Pacific Games |

## Player records

    As of 9 September 2024
    Players in bold are still active with Tonga.

### Most appearances

| Rank | Name | Caps | Goals | Career |
| 1 | Kilifi Uele | 26 | 3 | 1996–2017 |
| 2 | Unaloto Fea'o | 17 | 7 | 2001–2017 |
| 2 | Hemaloto Polovili | 17 | 4 | 2015–present |
| 4 | Lafaele Moala | 16 | 1 | 2003–2015 |
| 5 | Folio Moeaki | 15 | 0 | 2004–2015 |
| 5 | Sione Uhatahi | 15 | 1 | 2007–2019 |
| 7 | Siu'a Ma'amaloa | 14 | 1 | 2001–2004 |
| 7 | Kamaliele Papani | 14 | 0 | 2003–present |
| 9 | Semisi 'Otukolo | 12 | 0 | 2017–present |
| 9 | Fineasi Palei | 12 | 0 | 2011–present |

### Top goalscorers

| Rank | Name | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
| 1 | Unaloto Fea'o | 7 | 17 | 0.41 | 2001–2017 |
| 2 | Lokoua Taufahema | 5 | 7 | 0.71 | 2001–2011 |
| 3 | Hemaloto Polovili | 4 | 17 | 0.24 | 2015–present |
| 4 | Amone Suli | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2002 |
| 4 | Amoni Fifita | 3 | 8 | 0.38 | 2023–present |
| 4 | Mark Uhatahi | 3 | 11 | 0.27 | 2003–2015 |
| 4 | Kilifi Uele | 3 | 26 | 0.12 | 1996–2017 |
| 8 | Ma'ake Uhatahi | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2009 |
| 8 | Petueli Tokotaha | 2 | 6 | 0.33 | 2017–present |
| 8 | Pio Palu | 2 | 7 | 0.29 | 2007–2011 |
| 8 | Timote Moleni | 2 | 8 | 0.25 | 1996–2001 |
| 8 | Filisione Taufahema | 2 | 8 | 0.25 | 2001–2002 |

## Competitive record
### FIFA World Cup

| FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification |
| Year | Host | Result | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | F | A | Pld | W | D | L | F | A |
| 1930 to 1990 | 1930 to 1990 | Not member of FIFA | Not member of FIFA | Not member of FIFA | Not member of FIFA | Not member of FIFA | Not member of FIFA | Not member of FIFA | Not member of FIFA | Not member of FIFA | Not member of FIFA | Not member of FIFA | Not member of FIFA | Not member of FIFA | Not member of FIFA |
| 1994 | United States | 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 |
| 1998 | France | 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 | 3 | 13 |
| 2002 | South Korea Japan | 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 | 7 | 30 |
| 2006 | Germany | 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 | 2 | 17 |
| 2010 | South Africa | 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 | 6 | 10 |
| 2014 | Brazil | 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 | 4 | 4 |
| 2018 | Russia | 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 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
| 2022 | Qatar | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 2026 | Canada Mexico United States | 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 | 4 | 3 |
| 2030 | Morocco Portugal Spain | 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 | Saudi Arabia | 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 | Total | — | 0/8 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 24 | 8 | 1 | 15 | 27 | 85 |

### 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 | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification 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 | 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 |
| 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 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| 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 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 |
| 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 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 15 |
| 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 | 7 | 18 |
| 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 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 17 |
| 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 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 10 |
| 2012 | 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 | 4 | 4 |
| 2016 | 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 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
| 2024 | 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 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Total | — | 0/11 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 31 | 7 | 3 | 21 | 34 | 90 |

### Pacific Games
## Head-to-head record

Up to matches played on 6 September 2024.
| Team v t e | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | WPCT |
| American Samoa | 10 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 34 | 12 | +22 | 80.00 |
| Australia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 22 | −22 | 0.00 |
| Cook Islands | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 15 | 16 | −1 | 36.36 |
| Micronesia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 100.00 |
| Fiji | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 17 | −16 | 0.00 |
| New Caledonia | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 43 | −41 | 0.00 |
| Papua New Guinea | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 20 | −18 | 0.00 |
| Samoa | 13 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 27 | −16 | 15.38 |
| Solomon Islands | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 31 | −31 | 0.00 |
| Tahiti | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 28 | −27 | 0.00 |
| Tuvalu | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 13 | −7 | 0.00 |
| Vanuatu | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 33 | −31 | 0.00 |
| Wallis and Futuna | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 50.00 |
| Total | 70 | 16 | 6 | 48 | 82 | 265 | −183 | 22.86 |
* ↑ Includes results as Western Samoa.
* ↑ Includes results as New Hebrides.

## Honours
### Regional

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

## Historical kits

| 2001 Home | 2001 Away | 2009 Home | 2009 Away | 2011 Home | 2011 Away | 2015 Home | 2015 Away |
| 2017 Home | 2017 Away | 2019 Home | 2019 Away | 2023 Home | 2023 Away |
Sources: