New Caledonia national football team

The New Caledonia men's national football team is the national team of New Caledonia and is controlled by the Fédération Calédonienne de Football. Although they were only admitted to FIFA in 2004, they have been participating in the OFC Nations Cup since its inception. They have been one of this relatively small region's strongest teams, finishing second in 2008 and 2012, and third in 1973 and 1980. They were the top ranked OFC nation at number 95 in September 2008,[2] making them only the fourth country from the confederation to have reached the global top 100.

New Caledonia
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Les Cagous (The Kagus)
AssociationFédération Calédonienne de Football
ConfederationOFC (Oceania)
Head coachJohann Sidaner
CaptainEmile Béaruné
Most capsBertrand Kaï (43)
Top scorerBertrand Kaï (23)
Home stadiumStade Numa-Daly Magenta
FIFA codeNCL
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 163 Decrease 2 (21 September 2023)[1]
Highest93 (August 2013)
Lowest191 (April–May 2016)
First international
 New Caledonia 2–0 New Zealand 
(Nouméa, New Caledonia; 19 September 1951)
Biggest win
 New Caledonia 18–0 Guam 
(Lae, Papua New Guinea; 3 September 1991)
 Micronesia 0–18 New Caledonia 
(Suva, Fiji; 1 July 2003)
Biggest defeat
 Australia 11–0 New Caledonia 
(Auckland, New Zealand; 8 July 2002)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances6 (first in 1973)
Best resultRunners-up, 2008 and 2012

History

The New Caledonian Football Federation, although created in 1928,[3] did not join FIFA or the OFC until 2004, becoming the 205th member of the former.

Previously the New Caledonian selection, due to the attachment of local institutions to the French Football Federation, could only line up during friendly matches or regional competitions, such as the Pacific Games, as well as the Oceania Football Cup, but only as a guest.

The Cagous distinguished themselves during these competitions, winning the Pacific Games on several occasions, and finishing in third place, during the first two editions of the Oceania Cup.

After failing to qualify for the 2004 OFC Nations Cup, the New Caledonian Football Federation hired Didier Chambaron as the team's new coach. During the 2007 South Pacific Games in Apia, the Cagous were placed in group A and won over their great rival Tahiti (1–0), this meeting was the first of the playoffs for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. They then won against Tuvalu and the Cook Islands (1–0) and (3–0). For their last group match, they draw against Fiji (1–1). The New Caledonians finished second in their group, and then beat the Solomon Islands (3–2), then in the final won the trophy against Fiji (1–0).

The Pacific Games football tournament serving as the first qualifying round for the World Cup in South Africa, the team found themselves qualified for the second round, where New Zealand blocked their way by taking first place. The Cagous however finish second in front of Fiji and Vanuatu.

In May 2011, the selection faced Reunion twice in Nouméa, matches counting for the preparation of the games of the islands of the Indian Ocean in the Seychelles of the Reunionese. The New Caledonians lost both matches. However, a few months later, during the 2011 Pacific Games, New Caledonia won in the final against the Solomon Islands, with the score of (2–0), after a victory against Tahiti (3–1).

In June 2012, on the occasion of the Oceania Nations Cup, the Cagous succeeded in beating New Zealand in the semi-finals, with a score of 2–0 (goals from Bertrand Kai and Georges Gope-Fenepej), but failed in the final against their Tahitian rivals (1–0). Nevertheless, the competition serving as a second qualifying round for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, New Caledonia found itself, along with Tahiti and the semi-finalists New Zealand and the Solomon Islands qualified for the next round.

Rivalries

A historical sporting rivalry exists between the two French Pacific overseas collectivities, New Caledonia and Tahiti. They compete regularly in regional and, since 2006, international competitions. In 2012, Tahiti led the number of titles won (1 Oceania Nations Cup, 5 gold medals at the South Pacific Games, 2 at the South Pacific mini-games, against 6 gold at the South Pacific Games for New Caledonia. As of their last match in 2018, out of the 62 matches played since 1953, the New Caledonia has 28 wins against 25 for Tahiti and 9 draws.[4]

Kit

Givova are the current kit provider for the national team since 2022. As of 2012, the national team's home kit is a grey jersey with red shorts and red socks. The away kit is a red jersey with red shorts and white socks.

Kit supplier Period
Germany Puma2004–2006[5]
United States Nike2010–2012
Italy Erreà2013–2017
Italy Kappa2017–2019
Denmark Select2020–2021
Italy Givova2022–

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

20 March Friendly Match Tahiti  0–2  New Caledonia Pirae, Tahiti
20:00 UTC−10 Report
  • Xowi 69'
  • Rokuad 88'
Stadium: Stade Pater Te Hono Nui
24 March Friendly Match Tahiti  2–1  New Caledonia Pirae, Tahiti
  • Tinirauarii 30', 76'
Report
Stadium: Stade Pater Te Hono Nui

Coaching history

Players

Current squad

Players were called up for the friendly matches against Tahiti on 20 and 23 March 2023.[6]

Caps and goals correct as of 23 March 2023, after the match against  Tahiti.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Jean-Gilles Hnamuko (1996-03-02) 2 March 1996 3 0 Luxembourg Alisontia Steinsel
16 1GK Wareen Hlupa (2004-04-16) 16 April 2004 1 0 New Caledonia Lössi

2 2DF Bernard Iwa (2000-05-16) 16 May 2000 4 0 New Caledonia Qanono Sport
3 2DF Vincent Vakié (1990-10-20) 20 October 1990 3 0 New Caledonia Kunié
5 2DF Sake Forest (2003-08-13) 13 August 2003 2 0 New Caledonia Tiga Sport
6 2DF Jules Omei (2001-07-14) 14 July 2001 3 0 New Caledonia Mont-Dore
13 2DF Josuah Hlemu (2000-12-07) 7 December 2000 1 0 New Caledonia Auteuil
17 2DF Gabriel Vakoume (1989-02-09) 9 February 1989 2 0 Free agent

7 3MF Pierre Bako (2001-08-09) 9 August 2001 5 0 Free agent
8 3MF Morgan Mathelon (1991-09-12) 12 September 1991 5 0 New Caledonia Tiga Sport
10 3MF David Bearune (1994-06-17) 17 June 1994 3 0 New Caledonia Tiga Sport
11 3MF Robert Neoere (1996-04-18) 18 April 1996 3 0 New Caledonia Kunié
12 3MF Shene Wélépane (1997-12-09) 9 December 1997 10 3 New Caledonia Tiga Sport
14 3MF Cyril Nypie (2000-04-11) 11 April 2000 6 0 New Caledonia Tiga Sport
15 3MF Fonzy Ranchain (1994-07-22) 22 July 1994 2 0 New Caledonia Hienghène Sport
19 3MF Makalu Xowi (1999-04-20) 20 April 1999 0 0 New Caledonia Gaïtcha
20 3MF William Read (2003-01-11) 11 January 2003 2 0 New Caledonia Lössi

9 4FW Gilbert Kugogne (2004-05-04) 4 May 2004 1 0 New Caledonia Magenta

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the New Caledonia squad within the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up



Player records

As of 23 March 2023[7]
Players in bold are still active with New Caledonia.

Most appearances

Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Bertrand Kaï 43 23 2008–present
2 Emile Béaruné 41 0 2010–present
3 Joël Wakanumuné 39 1 2011–present
Pierre Wajoka 39 13 2003–2011
5 César Zeoula 35 10 2008–present
6 Iamel Kabeu 34 20 2002–2013
7 Roy Kayara 31 8 2008–2019
8 Michel Hmaé 28 22 2003–2011
9 André Sinédo 27 1 2002–2011
10 Jean-Patrick Wakanumuné 25 0 2007–2013

Top goalscorers

Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Bertrand Kaï 23 43 0.53 2008–present
2 Michel Hmaé 22 28 0.79 2003–2011
3 Iamel Kabeu 20 34 0.59 2002–2013
4 Georges Gope-Fenepej 15 21 0.71 2011–present
5 Pierre Wajoka 13 39 0.33 2003–2011
6 Jean-Philippe Saïko 12 9 1.33 2016–present
7 Joris Pibke 11 5 2.2 2000–2002
8 Paul Poatinda 10 10 1 2003–2004
César Zeoula 10 35 0.29 2008–present
10 Jacques Haeko 9 13 0.69 2011–2012

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 to South KoreaJapan 2002 Ineligible Ineligible
Germany 2006 did not qualify 4 2 1 1 16 2
South Africa 2010 12 7 3 2 22 13
Brazil 2014 5 3 0 2 19 7
Russia 2018 4 1 2 1 9 3
Qatar 2022 3 0 0 3 2 10
CanadaMexicoUnited States 2026 to be determined to be determined
Total 0/22 28 13 6 9 69 35

OFC Nations Cup

Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record Qualification record
Year Host Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1973 New ZealandThird place3rd5302106No qualification
1980 New CaledoniaThird place3rd43011412Qualified as host
1996 OceaniaDid not qualify410359
1998 Australia4004410
2000 Tahiti42021111
2002 New ZealandGroup stage8th30031144301254
2004 AustraliaDid not qualify4211162
2008 OceaniaRunners-up2nd622212106510103
2012 Solomon IslandsRunners-up2nd5302197Qualified automatically
2016 Papua New GuineaSemi-finals3rd412193
2024To be determinedTo be determined
Total Runners-up 6/10 27 12 4 11 65 52 26 13 2 11 71 39

Pacific Games

Pacific Games record
Year Host Round Pld W D* L GF GA
1963 FijiChampions2200103
1966 New CaledoniaRunners-up4301172
1969 Papua New GuineaChampions5410203
1971 TahitiChampions4310122
1975 GuamRunners-up5401164
1979 FijiFourth place5302268
1983 SamoaThird place64021611
1987 New CaledoniaChampions6501264
1991 Papua New GuineaThird place5302138
1995 TahitiGroup stage4202193
2003 FijiRunners-up6411293
2007 SamoaChampions6510103
2011 New CaledoniaChampions7601363
2015 Papua New GuineaSee New Caledonia national under-23 football team
2019 SamoaRunners-up6501232
Total 7 Titles 65 48 4 13 250 57

Coupe de l'Outre Mer

  • 2008 – Group stage
  • 2010 – Group stage

Head-to-head record

Up to matches played on 21 September 2022.

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD WPCT
 American Samoa 4 4 0 0 33 0 +33 100.00
 Australia 4 0 0 4 1 23 22 0.00
 Bulgaria 1 0 0 1 3 5 2 0.00
 Cook Islands 4 4 0 0 32 0 +32 100.00
 Estonia 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0.00
 Micronesia 1 1 0 0 18 0 +18 100.00
 Fiji 38 12 5 21 68 75 7 31.58
 Guadeloupe 2 0 1 1 1 5 4 0.00
 Guam 3 3 0 0 37 1 +36 100.00
 Malaysia 1 0 0 1 1 2 1 0.00
 Martinique 3 0 1 2 1 7 6 0.00
 Mauritius 1 0 0 1 1 3 2 0.00
 Mayotte 2 1 0 1 3 4 1 50.00
 New Zealand 33 11 2 20 46 71 25 33.33
 Papua New Guinea 18 12 2 4 49 16 +33 66.67
 Réunion 2 0 0 2 3 7 4 0.00
 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1 1 0 0 16 1 +15 100.00
 Samoa[lower-alpha 1] 4 4 0 0 29 0 +29 100.00
 Solomon Islands 26 14 2 10 53 30 +23 53.85
 Tahiti 62 26 14 22 105 76 +29 41.94
 Tonga 5 5 0 0 36 2 +34 100.00
 Tuvalu 5 4 0 1 32 2 +30 80.00
 Vanuatu[lower-alpha 2] 38 23 7 8 97 45 +52 60.53
 Wallis and Futuna 3 3 0 0 19 1 +18 100.00
Total 262 128 35 99 685 377 +308 48.85
  1. Includes results as Western Samoa.
  2. Includes results as New Hebrides.

Honours

, 2011, 2015

References

  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  2. FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking September 2008
  3. "A Little History". Federation of Caledonian Football. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  4. "New Caledonia". Footballdatabase.eu. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  5. "New Caledonia camisa de futebol 2004 – 2006". 8 May 2012. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  6. "C'est parti pour TAHITI | SELECTION A | Matchs amicaux (FIFA)" (in French). Fédération Calédonienne de Football. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  7. "New Caledonia". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
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