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Solomon Islands national football team

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Solomon Islands
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Bonitos
AssociationSolomon Islands Football Federation
ConfederationOFC (Oceania)
Head coachJosh Smith
CaptainJoses Nawo
Most capsHenry Fa'arodo (64)
Top scorerCommins Menapi (34)
Home stadiumNational Stadium,
Lawson Tama Stadium
FIFA codeSOL
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 148 Decrease 1 (28 November 2024)[1]
Highest120 (October 2007, April 2008)
Lowest200 (January–March 2016)
First international
 Solomon Islands 6–3 New Hebrides 
(Suva, Fiji; 30 August 1963)
Biggest win
 Solomon Islands 16–0 Cook Islands 
(Papeete, Tahiti; 21 August 1995)
Biggest defeat
 Tahiti 18–0 Solomon Islands 
(Suva, Fiji; 8 December 1963)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances8 (first in 1980)
Best resultRunners-up, 2004

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. Paul Francis, their greatest ever player died on 30 November 2024. [3]

History

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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.[4]

In 2019, they went on a three-week training tour in Netherlands.[5]

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

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Kit sponsorship

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Kit lier Period
Italy Lotto 2004–2012
New Zealand Pasifika 2013–2016
Australia Veto 2016–2021
China UCAN 2022–

Sponsors

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Results and fixtures

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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

2023

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28 November 2023 Pacific Games SF Fiji  0–2  Solomon Islands Honiara, Solomon Islands
15:00 Report
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)

2024

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18 March Friendly Solomon Islands  2–1  Fiji Honiara, Solomon Islands
15:00 UTC+11
Report
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
21 March Friendly Solomon Islands  0–2  Fiji Honiara, Solomon Islands
Raheem 45'
Krishna 64'
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
15 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup Solomon Islands  0–1  Vanuatu Port Vila, Vanuatu
15:00 UTC+11 Report
Stadium: Freshwater Stadium
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Veer Singh (Fiji)
21 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup New Caledonia  Cancelled  Solomon Islands Port Vila, Vanuatu
12:00 UTC+11 Stadium: Freshwater Stadium
Note: On 5 June 2024, New Caledonia withdrew from the 2024 OFC Nations Cup due to the serious crisis in the country.[6]
2 September Friendly Fiji  1–0  Solomon Islands Suva, Fiji
19:00 UTC+12 Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium
5 September Friendly Solomon Islands  0–3  Hong Kong Suva, Fiji
19:00 UTC+12
Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium
Referee: Torika Delai (Fiji)
10 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Solomon Islands  0–1  Fiji Suva, Fiji
19:00 UTC+12 Report Krishna 13' Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium
Attendance: 2,000[7]
Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)
14 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Solomon Islands  2–3  New Caledonia Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
13:00 UTC+10
Report
Stadium: PNG Football Stadium
Referee: Calvin Berg (New Zealand)

Coaching staff

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Position
Head coach Solomon Islands Jacob Moli[8]
Assistant coach Solomon Islands Stanley Waita[8]
Goalkeeper coach Solomon Islands Tibon Oge
Kit Manager Solomon Islands Augustine Hou
Team Manager Solomon Islands Dixion Lauia Anga

Coaching history

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Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

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Current squad

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The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification against  Fiji on 10 October 2024.[11]

Caps and goals correct as of 10 October 2024, after the match against  Fiji.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Philip Mango (1995-08-28) August 28, 1995 (age 29) 45 0 Solomon Islands Central Coast
1GK Michael Laulae (2002-05-20) May 20, 2002 (age 22) 4 0 Solomon Islands Henderson Eels
1GK Harold Nauania (1997-10-10) October 10, 1997 (age 27) 2 0 Solomon Islands Real Kakamora

2DF Javin Wae (2002-11-17) November 17, 2002 (age 22) 20 0 Solomon Islands Central Coast
2DF Leon Kofana (2002-06-22) June 22, 2002 (age 22) 21 0 Fiji Rewa
2DF David Supa (2000-12-21) December 21, 2000 (age 23) 14 0 Solomon Islands Central Coast
2DF Calvin Ohasio (2000-04-05) April 5, 2000 (age 24) 12 0 Solomon Islands Central Coast
2DF Junior David (2001-09-22) September 22, 2001 (age 23) 10 0 Solomon Islands Central Coast
2DF Alick Stanton (1998-05-25) May 25, 1998 (age 26) 9 0 Solomon Islands Central Coast

3MF Atkin Kaua (1996-04-04) April 4, 1996 (age 28) 40 5 Solomon Islands Laugu United
3MF William Komasi (2000-06-10) June 10, 2000 (age 24) 21 1 Fiji Nadroga
3MF Don Keana (2000-09-09) September 9, 2000 (age 24) 6 0 Solomon Islands Waneagu United
3MF Carlos Liomasia (1994-09-17) September 17, 1994 (age 30) 2 0 Fiji Tailevu
3MF Ben Fox (2001-07-06) July 6, 2001 (age 23) 1 0 Solomon Islands Marist
3MF Jared Rongosulia (1995-11-06) November 6, 1995 (age 29) 0 0 Fiji Navua
3MF Paul Francis (2004-09-05) September 5, 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Solomon Islands Real Kakamora

4FW Micah Lea'alafa (1991-06-01) June 1, 1991 (age 33) 28 8 Australia FK Beograd
4FW Alvin Hou (1996-09-18) September 18, 1996 (age 28) 25 7 Solomon Islands Solomon Warriors
4FW Raphael Lea'i (2003-09-09) September 9, 2003 (age 21) 22 11 Australia Adelaide City
4FW John Orobulu (2000-08-29) August 29, 2000 (age 24) 14 8 Solomon Islands Henderson Eels
4FW Bobby Leslie (2000-03-03) March 3, 2000 (age 24) 12 2 Solomon Islands Central Coast
4FW Mohammad Mekawir (2000-07-27) July 27, 2000 (age 24) 7 0 Fiji Navua

Recent call-ups

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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 20) 0 0 Solomon Islands Honiara City v.  Fiji, 20 March 2024
GK Timothy Mae'arasia (1995-06-19) June 19, 1995 (age 29) 2 0 Solomon Islands Solomon Warriors 2023 Pacific Games

DF Prince Tahanipue (1995-01-13) January 13, 1995 (age 29) 10 0 Solomon Islands Central Coast v.  Hong Kong, 5 September 2024
DF Loea Taisara (1989-06-02) June 2, 1989 (age 35) 3 0 Solomon Islands Solomon Warriors v.  Hong Kong, 5 September 2024
DF Allen Peter (1995-09-11) September 11, 1995 (age 29) 18 0 Solomon Islands Solomon Warriors 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup
DF Steven Koti (2000-06-10) June 10, 2000 (age 24) 0 0 Solomon Islands Kossa 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup
DF Hadisi Aengari (1988-10-23) October 23, 1988 (age 36) 44 0 Solomon Islands Solomon Warriors v.  Fiji, 20 March 2024

MF Tigi Molea (1992-09-24) September 24, 1992 (age 32) 11 3 Solomon Islands Solomon Warriors v.  Hong Kong, 5 September 2024
MF Marlon Tahioa (1998-11-28) November 28, 1998 (age 26) 9 0 Solomon Islands Central Coast v.  Hong Kong, 5 September 2024
MF Hudson Oreinima (1988-07-24) July 24, 1988 (age 36) 2 0 Solomon Islands Central Coast 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup
MF Hadyn Irodao (2002-10-29) October 29, 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Solomon Islands Central Coast 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup
MF Molis Gagame (1989-09-21) September 21, 1989 (age 35) 14 0 Solomon Islands Kossa v.  Fiji, 20 March 2024

FW Joses Nawo (1988-05-03) May 3, 1988 (age 36) 55 8 Solomon Islands Real Kakamora v.  Hong Kong, 5 September 2024
FW Dalton Saeni (2002-10-14) October 14, 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Solomon Islands Marist v.  Hong Kong, 5 September 2024
FW Gagame Feni (1992-08-21) August 21, 1992 (age 32) 35 19 Solomon Islands Kossa 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup
FW Junior Fordney (1999-11-26) November 26, 1999 (age 25) 1 0 Solomon Islands Central Coast 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup
FW Norman Ngafu (1997-07-16) July 16, 1997 (age 27) 1 0 Solomon Islands Marist 2023 Pacific GamesPRE

Player records

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As of 10 October 2024[12]
Players in bold are still active with Solomon Islands.

Most appearances

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Henry Fa'arodo is Solomon Islands' most capped player with 64 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
Batram Suri 36 14 1995–2005
10 Gagame Feni 35 19 2012–present

Top goalscorers

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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
Micah Lea'alafa 8 29 0.28 2016–present
Joses Nawo 8 56 0.14 2011–present

Competitive record

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FIFA World Cup

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FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup qualification
Year Host Round Pld W D L GF GA Pos Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1986 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1990  Italy Did not enter Did not enter
1994  United States Did not qualify Group stage 4 0 1 3 5 13
1998  France Group stage 8 3 3 2 22 23
2002  South Korea
 Japan
Group stage 4 2 0 2 17 10
2006  Germany 2nd 11 6 2 3 24 16
2010  South Africa Knockout stage 6 4 0 2 23 6
2014  Brazil 4th 9 2 2 5 7 22
2018  Russia 2nd 9 4 1 4 10 16
2022  Qatar 2nd 3 2 0 1 6 8
2026  Canada
 Mexico
 United States
Group stage 3 1 0 2 4 5
2030  Morocco
 Portugal
 Spain
To be determined To be determined
2034  Saudi Arabia
Total 0/9 60 24 9 27 122 126

OFC Nations Cup

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Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
New Zealand 1973 Did not enter Did not enter
New Caledonia 1980 Group stage 8th 3 0 0 3 3 21 No qualification
Pacific Community 1996 Semi-finals 3rd 2 0 0 2 1 3 Squad 4 4 0 0 10 1
Australia 1998 Did not qualify 4 2 1 1 8 7
French Polynesia 2000 Third place 3rd 4 2 0 2 7 10 Squad 4 2 1 1 10 9
New Zealand 2002 Group stage 6th 3 0 1 2 3 9 Squad Qualified automatically
Australia 2004 Runners-up 2nd 7 3 1 3 10 17 Squad 4 3 1 0 14 1
Pacific Community 2008 Did not qualify 6 4 0 2 23 6
Solomon Islands 2012 Fourth place 4th 5 1 2 2 5 6 Squad Qualified automatically
Papua New Guinea 2016 Semi-finals 3rd 4 1 0 3 2 4 Squad
Fiji Vanuatu 2024 Group stage 6th 2 0 0 2 0 4 Squad
Total Runners-up 8/11 30 7 4 19 31 74 22 15 3 4 65 24

Pacific Games

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Pacific Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Fiji 1963 Fourth place 4th 3 1 0 2 6 26
New Caledonia 1966 Group stage 6th 2 0 1 1 4 12
Papua New Guinea 1969 Sixth place 6th 5 0 1 4 8 19
French Polynesia 1971 did not enter
Guam 1975 Third place 3rd 4 2 1 1 9 8
Fiji 1979 Third place 3rd 5 4 0 1 24 5
Samoa 1983 Group stage 10th 3 1 0 2 0 11
New Caledonia 1987 did not enter
Papua New Guinea 1991 Runners-up 2nd 5 4 1 0 12 3
French Polynesia 1995 Runners-up 2nd 6 4 0 2 34 10
Fiji 2003 Group stage 5th 4 2 1 1 14 4
Samoa 2007 Fourth place 4th 6 4 0 2 23 6
New Caledonia 2011 Runners-up 2nd 7 5 0 2 21 6
Papua New Guinea 2015 See Solomon Islands national under-23 football team
Samoa 2019 Group stage 7th 5 2 1 2 30 9
Total Runners-up 12/15 55 29 6 20 185 119

Wantok Cup

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Head-to-head record

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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[a] 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[b] 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
  1. ^ Includes results as Western Samoa.
  2. ^ Includes results as New Hebrides.

Honours

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Continental

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Regional

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Historical kits

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References

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  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 8 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  3. ^ "Member Association – Solomon Islands". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  4. ^ "Solomon Islands appoint new coach". 23 June 2021. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  5. ^ "Historic training camp in Netherlands wrap-up". siff.com.sb. 5 June 2019. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  6. ^ "La Fédération se résout à la "NON-PARTICIPATION" des cagous". New Caledonian Football Federation. 5 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Solomon Islands vs Fiji". Oceania Football Confedetation. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d "MOLI APPOINTED FOR NATIONS CUP 2024". SIFF. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  9. ^ "FIFA.com". 23 June 2007. Archived from the original on 23 June 2007.
  10. ^ "Solomons search for new coach". Oceania Football Confederation. 29 July 2016. Archived from the original on 29 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  11. ^ "Squad Announcement". Facebook. Solomon Islands Football Federation. 3 October 2024.
  12. ^ "Solomon Islands". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2021.

Further reading

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