Samoa national football team

Not to be confused with American Samoa men's national football team.

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Samoa women's national football team.

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.

Samoa

Association	Football Federation Samoa
Confederation	OFC (Oceania)
Head coach	Jess Ibrom
Captain	Andrew Setefano
Most caps	Andrew Setefano (28)
Top scorer	Desmond Fa'aiuaso (9)
Home stadium	National Soccer Stadium
FIFA code	SAM
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	189 3 (3 April 2025)[1]
Highest	146 (December 2007)
Lowest	204 (November 2011)
First international
Solomon Islands 12–0 Western Samoa  (Suva, Fiji; 31 August 1979)
Biggest win
Samoa 10–0 American Samoa  (Honiara, Solomon Islands; 20 November 2023)
Biggest defeat
Tahiti 13–0 Western Samoa  (Honiara, Solomon Islands; 13 July 1981)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances	3 (first in 2012)
Best result	Group stage (2012, 2016, 2024)
Pacific Games
Appearances	5 (first in 1979)
Best result	Quarter-finals (1983)

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[2]	Period
Puma	?
Lotto	2003
Uhlsport	2005
Lotto	2007–2013
Nike	2015–2016
Adidas	2017
Lotto	2019–

Results and fixtures

Main articles: Samoa national football team results and Western Samoa national football team results

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2024

Tonga  v  Samoa

20 March 2024 OFC Nations Cup qualification	Tonga	1–4	Samoa	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)

Samoa  v  Cook Islands

23 March 2024 OFC Nations Cup qualification	Samoa	1–0	Cook Islands	Nuku'alofa, Tonga
11:00	Taualai 88'	Report		Stadium: Teufaiva Stadium Referee: Pari Oito (Tahiti)

Tahiti  v  Samoa

16 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup	Tahiti	2–0	Samoa	Suva, Fiji
11:00	Degrumelle 4' T. Tehau 28'	Report		Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium Attendance: 500 Referee: Ben Aukwai (Solomon Islands)

Samoa  v  Fiji

19 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup	Samoa	1–9	Fiji	Suva, Fiji
11:00	Salisbury 47'	Report	Hughes 3', 61' Dunn 38' Krishna 45+3' (pen.), 53' (pen.) Baravilala 64' Begg 67' Dogalau 83', 89'	Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium Attendance: 1,300 Referee: Calvin Berg (New Zealand)

Samoa  v  Papua New Guinea

22 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup	Samoa	1–2	Papua New Guinea	Suva, Fiji
14:00	Trainor 67'	Report	Semmy 26' Kepo 47'	Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium Attendance: 500 Referee: Ben Aukwai (Solomon Islands)

American Samoa  v  Samoa

6 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	American Samoa	0–2	Samoa	Apia, Samoa
15:00 UTC+13		(FIFA) Report (OFC) Report	Tumua 59' (pen.) Vaai 90+8'	Stadium: National Soccer Stadium Attendance: 600 Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)

Tonga  v  Samoa

9 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Tonga	1–2 (a.e.t.)	Samoa	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)

Vanuatu  v  Samoa

12 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Vanuatu	4–1	Samoa	Port Vila, Vanuatu
14:00 UTC+11	Cooper 7' Alick 36', 57' Kalo 90+1'	Report	Viliamu 55'	Stadium: VFF Freshwater Stadium Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Ben Aukwai (Solomon Islands)

Samoa  v  Tahiti

15 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Samoa	0–3	Tahiti	Hamilton, New Zealand
15:00 UTC+13		Report	Kaspard 59' Mathon 65' T. Tehau 87'	Stadium: Waikato Stadium Attendance: 638 Referee: Kavitesh Behari (Fiji)

Samoa  v  New Zealand

18 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Samoa	0–8	New Zealand	Auckland, New Zealand
19:30 UTC+13		Report	McCowatt 24' Wood 28', 34', 60' Stamenić 62' de Vries 75' Just 87' Waine 90+2' (pen.)	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

• 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 (2023–2024)
• Jess Ibrom (2024–present)

Players

The following players were called up for the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup.^[3]

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 (age 20)	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 22)	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 25)	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 22)	5	0	Lupe o le Soaga
	3MF	Alex Malauulu	(2006-03-12) 12 March 2006 (age 19)	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 25)	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 22)	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 26)	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^[4]

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  Western Samoa										as  Western Samoa
1990	Did not enter									Did not enter
1994	Withdrew									Withdrew
as  Samoa										as  Samoa
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  Western Samoa
1973	Did not enter										Did not enter
1980
1996	Did not qualify										3	1	1	1	5	10
as  Samoa
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^[5]

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

Source: 1979–97 results and 1998–present results

Includes results as Western Samoa.

Historical kits