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

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

2023

2024

Coaching staff

Coaching history

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

Current squad

The following 23 players were called up for the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup.

Caps and goals correct as of 2 December 2023, after the match against  New Caledonia

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up within the last twelve months.

Player records

As of 28 November 2023

Players in bold are still active with Solomon Islands.

Most appearances

Top goalscorers

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

OFC Nations Cup

Pacific Games

Wantok Cup

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

Head-to-head record

As of 14 October 2023

Honours

• OFC Nations Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 2004
  • Third place (2): 1996, 2000
• South Pacific Games
  • Runners-up (3): 1991, 1995, 2011
  • Third place (1): 1975, 1979
• Wantok Cup
  • Winners (1): 2008

Historical kits

References

Further reading

• Sarkar, Uttiyo (4 June 2023). "Hero Intercontinental Cup Rival Watch: Vanuatu". khelnow.com. Khel Now India. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.

External links

• Solomon Islands Football Federation official website
• Solomon Islands at OFC
• Solomon Islands at FIFA