# Solomon Islands national football team

The Solomon Islands men's national football team is the national football team of Solomon Islands, administered by the Solomon Islands Football Federation. The Solomon Islands national football team was founded in 1978. They were officially recognised by FIFA a decade later, in 1988.

## History

During the 2004 Oceania World Cup qualification/Oceania Cup the team drew 2–2 with Australia and qualified for the second leg. In the second leg, the Solomon Islands national men's team were thrashed by Australia 5–1 and 6–0 in the two matches, with Australia qualifying for the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup.
The Solomons got a second chance against the Socceroos in a two-legged series in September 2005, this time with the winner advancing to a two-legged series against CONMEBOL's fifth-place finisher for a berth in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and the team was thrashed by Australia 7–0 on the first leg and 2–1 in the second played at home.
The Solomons were knocked out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup – having got off to a good start winning every game in their qualifying group and comfortably progressing to the knockout rounds, defeats to New Caledonia and then to Vanuatu saw them knocked out of the competition.
In 2012, the Solomon Islands held the 2012 OFC Nations Cup which was also the second round of World Cup qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup where they finished in fourth place after qualifying through to the knockout stage by defeating Papua New Guinea and having draws against Fiji and New Zealand. They lost in the semi-final after they lost to the champions Tahiti after Jonathan Tehau scored the only goal. They later lost to New Zealand in the third-place playoff. The third round of World Cup qualifying saw the team finish bottom of the group after only taking one win against Tahiti.
After first taking charge of the team in 2017, Spaniard Felipe Vega-Arango was appointed for his second stint in June 2021.
In 2019, they went on a three-week training tour in Netherlands.
In June 2023, Solomon Islands played their friendly match against Southeast Asia countries, Singapore and Malaysia. Solomon Island won the 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup after winning against Papua New Guinea (3–1), Vanuatu (1–0) and New Caledonia (1–0) as Raphael Lea'i clinch the golden boots as the tournament top scorer with four goals.

## Team image
### Kit sponsorship

| Kit lier | Period |
| Lotto | 2004–2012 |
| Pasifika | 2013–2016 |
| Veto | 2016–2021 |
| UCAN | 2022– |

### Sponsors

* Lotto
* Telekom
* Capo Apparel

## 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.
Win  Draw  Loss  Fixture

### 2024
## Coaching staff

| Position | |
| Head coach | Jacob Moli |
| Assistant coach | Stanley Waita |
| Goalkeeper coach | Tibon Oge |
| Kit Manager | Augustine Hou |
| Team Manager | Dixion Lauia Anga |

### Coaching history

    Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
* Edward Ngara (1995–1996)
* Wilson Maelaua (1996)
* George Cowie (2000–2003)
* Alan Gillett (2004–2005)
* Airton Andrioli (2006–2009)
* Jacob Moli (2010–2014)
* Moses Toata (2015–2016)
* Felipe Vega-Arango (2017–2018)
* Moses Toata (2018–2019)
* Wim Rijsbergen (2019)
* Stanley Waita (2020–2021)
* Felipe Vega-Arango (2021–2024)
* Eddie Marahare (2024)
* Jacob Moli (2024–)

## Players
### Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification against Fiji on 10 October 2024.
Caps and goals correct as of 10 October 2024, after the match against Fiji.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
| 1GK | Philip Mango | (1995-08-28) August 28, 1995 (age 29) | 45 | 0 | Central Coast |
| 1GK | Michael Laulae | (2002-05-20) May 20, 2002 (age 22) | 4 | 0 | Henderson Eels |
| 1GK | Harold Nauania | (1997-10-10) October 10, 1997 (age 27) | 2 | 0 | Real Kakamora |
| 2DF | Javin Wae | (2002-11-17) November 17, 2002 (age 22) | 20 | 0 | Campbelltown City |
| 2DF | Leon Kofana | (2002-06-22) June 22, 2002 (age 22) | 21 | 0 | Rewa |
| 2DF | David Supa | (2000-12-21) December 21, 2000 (age 24) | 14 | 0 | Central Coast |
| 2DF | Calvin Ohasio | (2000-04-05) April 5, 2000 (age 24) | 12 | 0 | Central Coast |
| 2DF | Junior David | (2001-09-22) September 22, 2001 (age 23) | 10 | 0 | Central Coast |
| 2DF | Alick Stanton | (1998-05-25) May 25, 1998 (age 26) | 9 | 0 | Central Coast |
| 3MF | Atkin Kaua | (1996-04-04) April 4, 1996 (age 28) | 40 | 5 | Laugu United |
| 3MF | William Komasi | (2000-06-10) June 10, 2000 (age 24) | 21 | 1 | Adelaide Omonia Cobras |
| 3MF | Don Keana | (2000-09-09) September 9, 2000 (age 24) | 6 | 0 | Waneagu United |
| 3MF | Carlos Liomasia | (1994-09-17) September 17, 1994 (age 30) | 2 | 0 | Tailevu |
| 3MF | Ben Fox | (2001-07-06) July 6, 2001 (age 23) | 1 | 0 | Marist |
| 3MF | Jared Rongosulia | (1995-11-06) November 6, 1995 (age 29) | 0 | 0 | Navua |
| 3MF | Paul Francis | (2004-09-05) September 5, 2004 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Real Kakamora |
| 4FW | Micah Lea'alafa | (1991-06-01) June 1, 1991 (age 33) | 28 | 8 | Vipers FC |
| 4FW | Alvin Hou | (1996-09-18) September 18, 1996 (age 28) | 25 | 7 | Solomon Warriors |
| 4FW | Raphael Lea'i | (2003-09-09) September 9, 2003 (age 21) | 22 | 11 | Wollongong Wolves |
| 4FW | Bobby Leslie | (2000-03-03) March 3, 2000 (age 25) | 12 | 2 | Central Coast |
| 4FW | Mohammad Mekawir | (2000-07-27) July 27, 2000 (age 24) | 7 | 0 | Navua |

### Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up within the last twelve months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
| GK | Junior Petua | (2003-12-30) December 30, 2003 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Honiara City | v. Fiji, 20 March 2024 |
| GK | Timothy Mae'arasia | (1995-06-19) June 19, 1995 (age 29) | 2 | 0 | Solomon Warriors | 2023 Pacific Games |
| DF | Prince Tahanipue | (1995-01-13) January 13, 1995 (age 30) | 10 | 0 | Central Coast | v. Hong Kong, 5 September 2024 |
| DF | Loea Taisara | (1989-06-02) June 2, 1989 (age 35) | 3 | 0 | Solomon Warriors | v. Hong Kong, 5 September 2024 |
| DF | Allen Peter | (1995-09-11) September 11, 1995 (age 29) | 18 | 0 | Solomon Warriors | 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup |
| DF | Steven Koti | (2000-06-10) June 10, 2000 (age 24) | 0 | 0 | Kossa | 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup |
| DF | Hadisi Aengari | (1988-10-23) October 23, 1988 (age 36) | 44 | 0 | Solomon Warriors | v. Fiji, 20 March 2024 |
| MF | Tigi Molea | (1992-09-24) September 24, 1992 (age 32) | 11 | 3 | Solomon Warriors | v. Hong Kong, 5 September 2024 |
| MF | Marlon Tahioa | (1998-11-28) November 28, 1998 (age 26) | 9 | 0 | Central Coast | v. Hong Kong, 5 September 2024 |
| MF | Hudson Oreinima | (1988-07-24) July 24, 1988 (age 36) | 2 | 0 | Central Coast | 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup |
| MF | Hadyn Irodao | (2002-10-29) October 29, 2002 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | Central Coast | 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup |
| MF | Molis Gagame | (1989-09-21) September 21, 1989 (age 35) | 14 | 0 | Kossa | v. Fiji, 20 March 2024 |
| FW | Joses Nawo | (1988-05-03) May 3, 1988 (age 36) | 55 | 8 | Real Kakamora | v. Hong Kong, 5 September 2024 |
| FW | Dalton Saeni | (2002-10-14) October 14, 2002 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | Marist | v. Hong Kong, 5 September 2024 |
| FW | Gagame Feni | (1992-08-21) August 21, 1992 (age 32) | 35 | 19 | Kossa | 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup |
| FW | Junior Fordney | (1999-11-26) November 26, 1999 (age 25) | 1 | 0 | Central Coast | 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup |
| FW | Norman Ngafu | (1997-07-16) July 16, 1997 (age 27) | 1 | 0 | Marist | 2023 Pacific Games$^{PRE}$ |

## Player records

    As of 10 October 2024
    Players in bold are still active with Solomon Islands.

### Most appearances

| Rank | Name | Caps | Goals | Career |
| 1 | Henry Fa'arodo | 64 | 20 | 2002–2017 |
| 2 | Joses Nawo | 56 | 8 | 2011–present |
| 3 | Benjamin Totori | 52 | 29 | 2007–2019 |
| 4 | Hadisi Aengari | 44 | 0 | 2011–present |
| 5 | Philip Mango | 43 | 0 | 2016–present |
| 6 | Atkin Kaua | 41 | 5 | 2016–present |
| 7 | Nelson Sale Kilifa | 37 | 0 | 2004–2017 |
| 8 | Commins Menapi | 36 | 34 | 2000–2007 |
| 8 | Batram Suri | 36 | 14 | 1995–2005 |
| 10 | Gagame Feni | 35 | 19 | 2012–present |

### Top goalscorers

| Rank | Name | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
| 1 | Commins Menapi | 34 | 36 | 0.94 | 2000–2007 |
| 2 | Benjamin Totori | 29 | 52 | 0.56 | 2007–2019 |
| 3 | Henry Fa'arodo | 20 | 64 | 0.31 | 2002–2017 |
| 4 | Gagame Feni | 19 | 35 | 0.54 | 2012–present |
| 5 | Batram Suri | 14 | 36 | 0.39 | 1995–2005 |
| 6 | Raphael Lea'i | 12 | 23 | 0.52 | 2022–present |
| 7 | Noel Berry | 10 | 15 | 0.67 | 1995–2000 |
| 8 | John Orobulu | 8 | 14 | 0.57 | 2018–present |
| 8 | Micah Lea'alafa | 8 | 29 | 0.28 | 2016–present |
| 8 | Joses Nawo | 8 | 56 | 0.14 | 2011–present |

## 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 | FIFA World Cup qualification | FIFA World Cup qualification | FIFA World Cup qualification | FIFA World Cup qualification | FIFA World Cup qualification | FIFA World Cup qualification |
| Year | Host | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 1930 to 1986 | 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 |
| 1990 | Italy | 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 | United States | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Group stage | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 13 |
| 1998 | France | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Group stage | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 22 | 23 |
| 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 | Group stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 10 |
| 2006 | Germany | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2nd | 11 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 24 | 16 |
| 2010 | South Africa | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Knockout stage | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 6 |
| 2014 | Brazil | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4th | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 22 |
| 2018 | Russia | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2nd | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 16 |
| 2022 | Qatar | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2nd | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 8 |
| 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 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| 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 | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0/9 | 60 | 24 | 9 | 27 | 122 | 126 |

### 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 |
| 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 | Group stage | 8th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 21 | — | No qualification | No qualification | No qualification | No qualification | No qualification | No qualification |
| 1996 | Semi-finals | 3rd | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Squad | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| 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 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 7 |
| 2000 | Third place | 3rd | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 10 | Squad | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 9 |
| 2002 | Group stage | 6th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | Squad | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically |
| 2004 | Runners-up | 2nd | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 17 | Squad | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 1 |
| 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 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 6 |
| 2012 | Fourth place | 4th | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 | Squad | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically |
| 2016 | Semi-finals | 3rd | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 4 | Squad | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically |
| 2024 | Group stage | 6th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Squad | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically |
| Total | Runners-up | 8/11 | 30 | 7 | 4 | 19 | 31 | 74 | — | 22 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 65 | 24 |

### Pacific Games

Pacific Games record :
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 1963 | Fourth place | 4th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 26 |
| 1966 | Group stage | 6th | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 12 |
| 1969 | Sixth place | 6th | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 19 |
| 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 | Bronze medal | 3rd | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 8 |
| 1979 | Bronze medal | 3rd | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 5 |
| 1983 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 |
| 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 | Silver medal | 2nd | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 3 |
| 1995 | Silver medal | 2nd | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 34 | 10 |
| 2003 | Group stage | 5th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 4 |
| 2007 | Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 6 |
| 2011 | Silver medal | 2nd | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 21 | 6 |
| 2015 | See Solomon Islands national under-23 football team | See Solomon Islands national under-23 football team | See Solomon Islands national under-23 football team | See Solomon Islands national under-23 football team | See Solomon Islands national under-23 football team | See Solomon Islands national under-23 football team | See Solomon Islands national under-23 football team | See Solomon Islands national under-23 football team |
| 2019 | Group stage | 7th | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 30 | 9 |
| Total | Runners-up | 12/15 | 55 | 29 | 6 | 20 | 185 | 119 |

### Wantok Cup

* 2008 (July, 1st edition) – First place

## Head-to-head record

    As of 17 November 2024
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | WPCT |
| American Samoa | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 1 | +39 | 100.00 |
| Australia | 10 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 8 | 55 | −47 | 0.00 |
| Chinese Taipei | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100.00 |
| Cook Islands | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 2 | +35 | 100.00 |
| Fiji | 43 | 8 | 16 | 19 | 46 | 76 | −30 | 18.60 |
| Guam | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 2 | +22 | 100.00 |
| Hong Kong | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | −3 | 0.00 |
| Kiribati | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 100.00 |
| Macau | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 100.00 |
| Malaysia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 0.00 |
| New Caledonia | 29 | 11 | 3 | 15 | 35 | 58 | −23 | 37.93 |
| New Zealand | 14 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 11 | 52 | −41 | 0.00 |
| Papua New Guinea | 24 | 15 | 4 | 5 | 42 | 30 | +12 | 62.50 |
| Samoa | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | +21 | 100.00 |
| Singapore | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 0.00 |
| Tahiti | 24 | 5 | 3 | 16 | 26 | 76 | −50 | 20.83 |
| Tonga | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | +31 | 100.00 |
| Tuvalu | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 1 | +28 | 100.00 |
| Vanuatu | 35 | 22 | 7 | 6 | 77 | 37 | +40 | 62.86 |
| Wallis and Futuna | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 1 | +22 | 100.00 |
| Total | 214 | 92 | 37 | 85 | 467 | 404 | +63 | 42.99 |
* ↑ Includes results as Western Samoa.
* ↑ Includes results as New Hebrides.

## Honours
### Major competitions

* OFC Nations Cup
** Runners-up (1): 2004
** Third place (1): 2000
** Semi-finals (2): 1996, 2016

### Regional

* Pacific Games
** Silver medal (4): 1991, 1995, 2011, 2023
** Bronze medal (2): 1975, 1979
* Melanesia Cup
** Champions (2): 1994, 2023
** Runners-up (2): 1988, 2000
** Third place (3): 1989, 1992, 1998

### Awards

* OFC Nations Cup Fair Play Award: 2012