Football in Tuvalu
Football in Tuvalu | |
---|---|
Country | Tuvalu |
Governing body | Tuvalu Islands Football Association |
National team(s) | Tuvalu |
Clubs | 8 |
History of the sport
The earliest records of football in Tuvalu date back to the
Additionally, with league seasons being short, there are multiple competitions per year. In the modern era a typical year contains the league, the NBT Cup and at least one of a handful of other competitions such as: the Tuvalu Games (from 2008 to 2017),[2] the Independence Cup (where teams compete under their island's name), the Christmas Cup and more. The ministry of education, youth and sports have also organised tournaments and a men's C-Division was formed in the 2022 NBT Cup for veteran's football. Otherwise the same clubs compete, though results can vary a little more.[3][4] These tournaments are typically organised for both genders, though sometimes there have been insufficient teams for a women's division.
In international sport, they wouldn't return until the 2003 South Pacific Games, where a narrow 3–2 victory over Kiribati would prove to be their only victory from 4 matches. Otherwise they would lose 1–0 to Vanuatu and 4–0 to each the Solomon Islands and Fiji.
History was made in 2007 when Tuvalu became the first non FIFA member to participate in an official World Cup qualifying match.[5] The situation arose when the regional governing body used the 2007 South Pacific Games, as the first stage of the qualification tournament for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and qualification tournament for the 2008 OFC Nations Cup. Tuvalu performed with great credit, earning a remarkable 1–1 draw with Tahiti in which Viliamu Sekifu became as the first World cup scorer for his country. The other three fixtures in the tournament ended in defeat and Tuvalu failed to progress from their five team group.
In September 2008, Tuvaluan Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia and the President of the Tuvalu Football Association, Tapugao Falefou, visited the headquarters of FIFA in Zürich, hoping to gain full membership in the organisation.[1] However the lack of football facilities in Tuvalu is a major obstacle for membership of FIFA. Tuvalu only has one stadium, and it does not have training grounds or hotels for visiting teams and supporters.[6][7][8]
In recent years the TNFA have received support from the
Football continues to strengthen on the islands to this day, with regular league action and international action including victories at the 2017 Pacific Mini Games, overseas action at the 2018 CONIFA World Football Cup and a further draw against full FIFA member American Samoa at the 2019 Pacific Games.
National competitions
- Men's A-Division
- Men's B-Division
- Women's A-Division
- Independence Cup (both genders)
- NBT Cup (both genders)
- Tuvalu Games
- Christmas Cup
National teams
Men's team
The Tuvalu national football team debuted in 1979 and has appeared sporadically since. Exclusion from the Oceania Football Confederation and FIFA has meant that iopportunities to play are limited and therefore they have mainly played in the Pacific Games to date. they have played in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2017 and 2019 to date. Results against sides from the preliminary round of the OFC's World Cup qualifiers have generally been competitive, showcasing the possible talent of the islands, though as with such sides, results against the more established nations have mainly been comfortable defeats.
U-17 team
In August 2012 they participated for the first time on a tournament. They participated at the
Other national teams
A futsal national team have also competed, participating at the 2008 Oceanian Futsal Championship, 2010 Oceanian Futsal Championship and 2011 Oceanian Futsal Championship, though they would lose every game, often coming up against significantly more experienced opposition. No women's national side has yet participated in any international match.
Tuvaluan clubs
The number of participating clubs varies by tournament, with the larger islands often sending second or even third teams to compete. These typically play in the B-Division, though 2nd squads have played in the A-Division previously. Some clubs have only competed in the women's division. The main club is
Club | Island |
---|---|
Lakena United | Nanumea |
Manu Laeva |
Nukulaelae |
FC Ha'apai United |
Nanumanga |
Nauti |
Funafuti |
Tamanuku | Nukufetau |
Tofaga | Vaitupu |
Vaoloa | Nui |
Niutao |
Niutao |
Pukapili | Funafuti |
Kaumaile | Unknown |
Moagale | Unknown |
Taumeana | Unknown |
National football stadium
Stadium | Capacity | City |
---|---|---|
Tuvalu Sports Ground | 1,500 | Funafuti |
See also
References
- ^ a b "Tuvalu eye place in football family". FIFA. 22 September 2008. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012.
- ^ "RSSSF Other Tournaments (Men)". 3 August 2022.
- ^ "RSSF Men's Champions". 3 August 2022.
- ^ "RSSSF Women's Champions". 3 August 2022.
- ^ "El futbol de Tuvalu no se hunde". Periodismo de fútbol internacional (in Spanish). Awesome Theme Inc. 30 August 2011.
- ^ Frew, Craig (9 December 2013). "Tuvalu still dreams of joining Fifa's world football family". BBC Scotland. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
- ^ "No sports ground, no hotels so no to FIFA for Tuvalu – OFC". Radio Australia. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- ^ "OFC hits back at Tuvalu over FIFA bid". Australia Network News. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
- ^ "Tuvalu football project – Dutch Support Tuvalu Foundation (in Dutch, English, French and Spanish)". Archived from the original on 21 August 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
- ^ "Foppe de Haan gaat nationaal team van Tuvalu trainen". NRC Handelsblad (in Dutch). 25 May 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
- ^ "Stevan de Geijter hoofd opleidingen van Tuvalu". de Stentor (in Dutch). 26 April 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- ^ "Tuvalu 2012 – A Division (Men)". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2013.