The Samoa national football team () 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 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.
Coaching staff
PositionName Head coach Jess Ibrom Assistant coach Alastair McLae Goalkeeping coach Joseph Kapisi Team manager Saolotoga Pula Technical adviser Jess Ibrom Gear manager Bevan KapisiInternational Scout Alastair McLaeInternational 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.
Caps and goals correct as of 22 June 2024, after the game against Papua New Guinea.
Recent call-ups
Player records
Players in bold are still active with Samoa.
Most appearances
RankNameCapsGoalsCareer1Andrew Setefano2802011–present 2Desmond Fa'aiuaso2092001–20163Filipo Bureta1402001–2016Lionel Taylor1412004–20165Junior Michael1351996–2007Luke Tolo Kent1302023–present Dauntae Mariner1302023–present Luke Salisbury1322023–present 9Silao Malo1222011–2016Jarrell Sale1202007–2015 Mike Saofaiga1202011–2019
Top goalscorers
RankNameGoalsCapsRatioCareer1Desmond Fa'aiuaso9202001–20162Michael Tumua Leo562023–presentJunior Michael5131996–20074Dilo Tumua472023–present 5Tama Fasavalu342002–2004 Vito Laloata342015–2019Nathan Viliamu372024–present Pualele Lemana3112001–2004
Competitive record
FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup recordFIFA World Cup qualification recordYearResultPosition1930 to 1986Not a FIFA memberNot a FIFA memberas as 1990Did not enterDid not enter 1994WithdrewWithdrewas as 1998Did not qualify210122 20024103918 20064103511 2010420298 20146213627 20186204622 2022WithdrewWithdrew 2026Did not qualify5203516 2030To be determinedTo be determined 2034Total–––––––311111942104
OFC Nations Cup Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup recordQualification recordYearRoundPositionSquadas 1973Did not enterDid not enter 1980 1996Did not qualify3111510as 1998Did not qualify420287 20004202136 2002420289 20044103511 2008420298 2012Group stage8th3003124Squad321053 20168th3003019Squad320163 20247th3003213Squad220051TotalGroup stage3/119009356—31162136458
Pacific Games Pacific Games recordYearRoundPosition 1963Did not enter 1966 1969 1971 1975 1979Group stage10th3003319 1983Quarter-finals6th411278 1987Did not enter 1991 1995 2003 2007Group stage5th420298 2011Did not enter 2015N/A – tournament was U23 2019Group stage8th4103322 2023Group stage7th4202143TotalQuarter-finals5/161961123660
Head-to-head record As of 15 November 2024
Includes results as Western Samoa.
Historical kits
References
External links
Samoa at OFC Samoa at FIFA