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,[3] 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
CaptainCésar Zeoula
Most capsBertrand Kaï (43)
Top scorerBertrand Kaï (23)
Home stadiumStade Numa-Daly Magenta
FIFA codeNCL
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 155 Increase 5 (24 October 2024)[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

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The New Caledonian Football Federation, although created in 1928,[4] 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 OFC Nations 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

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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.[5]

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
  Puma 2004–2006[6]
  Nike 2010–2012
  Erreà 2013–2017
  Kappa 2017–2019
  Select 2020–2021
  Givova 2022–

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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18 November 2023 Pacific Games GS New Caledonia   7–0   Tonga Honiara, Solomon Islands
16:00
Report Stadium: SIFF Academy Field
Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)
24 November 2023 Pacific Games GS Cook Islands   0–8   New Caledonia Honiara, Solomon Islands
16:00 Report
Stadium: SIFF Academy Field
Referee: Kavitesh Behari (Fiji)
28 November 2023 Pacific Games Semi-final New Caledonia   1–0   Vanuatu Honiara, Solomon Islands
12:00
Report Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
Referee: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand)
2 December 2023 Pacific Games Final New Caledonia   2–2 (a.e.t.)
(7–6 p)
  Solomon Islands Honiara, Solomon Islands
10:00
Report
Stadium: National Stadium
Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)
Penalties

2024

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15 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup New Zealand   Cancelled   New Caledonia Port Vila, Vanuatu
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.[7]
18 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup Vanuatu   Cancelled   New Caledonia Port Vila, Vanuatu
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.[7]
21 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup New Caledonia   Cancelled   Solomon Islands Port Vila, Vanuatu
Stadium: Freshwater Stadium
Note: On 5 June 2024, New Caledonia announced their withdrew from the 2024 OFC Nations Cup due to the serious crisis in the country.[7]
10 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification New Caledonia   3–1   Papua New Guinea Suva, Fiji
16:00 UTC+12
Report (FIFA)
Report (OFC)
Semmy   78' Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium
Attendance: 1,000
Referee: Campbell-Kirk Waugh (New Zealand)
17 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Fiji   v   New Caledonia Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
13:00 UTC+10 Stadium: PNG Football Stadium

Coaching history

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Players

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Current squad

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The following 23 players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification against   Solomon Islands and   Fiji on 14 and 17 November 2024, respectively.[8]

Caps and goals correct as of 10 October 2024, after the match against   Papua New Guinea.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Mickaël Ulile (1997-07-16) 16 July 1997 (age 27) 14 0   Magenta
1GK Thomas Schmidt (1996-06-04) 4 June 1996 (age 28) 5 0   Tiga Sport
1GK Wareen Hlupa (2004-04-16) 16 April 2004 (age 20) 1 0   Decize

2DF Joseph Athale (1995-07-11) 11 July 1995 (age 29) 15 1   Olympique Saint-Quentin
2DF Fonzy Ranchain (1994-07-22) 22 July 1994 (age 30) 8 0   Gaïca
2DF Cameron Wadenges (2000-08-05) 5 August 2000 (age 24) 1 0   Racing Besançon
2DF Alexandre Deplanque (2001-01-02) 2 January 2001 (age 23) 1 0   Vendée Fontenay
2DF Djibril Tufele (2003-01-25) 25 January 2003 (age 21) 2 0   Lössi
2DF Florian Gope (2004-03-25) 25 March 2004 (age 20) 0 0   Magenta

3MF César Zeoula (1989-08-29) 29 August 1989 (age 35) 41 13   Chauvigny
3MF Shene Wélépane (1997-12-09) 9 December 1997 (age 26) 18 6   Tiga Sport
3MF Morgan Mathelon (1991-09-12) 12 September 1991 (age 33) 12 0   Tiga Sport
3MF Didier Simane (1996-08-03) 3 August 1996 (age 28) 5 0   ASPTT Dijon
3MF Mickaël Partodikromo (1996-02-02) 2 February 1996 (age 28) 1 0   Saint-Sébastien
3MF Jekob Jeno (2000-06-22) 22 June 2000 (age 24) 2 0   Beitar Jerusalem
3MF Pierre Bako (2001-08-09) 9 August 2001 (age 23) 1 0   Vertou
3MF Yoan Béaruné (2002-03-22) 22 March 2002 (age 22) 0 0   Horizon Patho

4FW Georges Gope-Fenepej (1988-10-23) 23 October 1988 (age 36) 22 16   Saint-Pryvé Saint-Hilaire
4FW Jean-Jacques Katrawa (1999-08-02) 2 August 1999 (age 25) 8 3   Sud FC
4FW Gérard Waia (2004-12-22) 22 December 2004 (age 19) 5 1   Tiga Sport
4FW Germain Haewegene (1996-07-13) 13 July 1996 (age 28) 3 1   Magenta
4FW Titouan Richard (2000-12-04) 4 December 2000 (age 23) 3 0   Olympique Salaise Rhodia
4FW Bryan Ausu (1997-11-25) 25 November 1997 (age 26) 1 0   Sud FC

Recent call-ups

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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
GK Rocky Nyikeine (1992-05-26) 26 May 1992 (age 32) 29 0   Gaïca v.   Papua New Guinea, 10 October 2024

DF Gabriel Vakoume (1989-02-09) 9 February 1989 (age 35) 3 0   Kunié 2023 Pacific Games
DF William Rokaud (2001-10-03) 3 October 2001 (age 23) 3 1   Magenta 2023 Pacific Games
DF Vincent Vakié (1990-10-20) 20 October 1990 (age 34) 4 0   Kunié 2023 Pacific Games
DF Martin Makam (2001-09-15) 15 September 2001 (age 23) 2 0   Magenta 2023 Pacific Games
DF Josué Wélépane (2000-04-19) 19 April 2000 (age 24) 1 0   Tiga Sport 2023 Pacific Games
DF Gianni Manmieu (1994-08-03) 3 August 1994 (age 30) 2 0   Kunié 2023 Pacific Games
DF Bernard Iwa (2000-05-16) 16 May 2000 (age 24) 4 0   Qanono Sport 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup
DF Jules Omei (2001-07-14) 14 July 2001 (age 23) 3 0   Mont-Dore 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup

MF Joris Kenon (1998-01-29) 29 January 1998 (age 26) 4 0   Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu v.   Papua New Guinea, 10 October 2024
MF Jules Omei (2001-07-14) 14 July 2001 (age 23) 6 0   Mont-Dore v.   Papua New Guinea, 10 October 2024
MF Ilhan Iekawe (2002-07-28) 28 July 2002 (age 22) 0 0   Tiga Sport v.   Papua New Guinea, 10 October 2024
MF William Read (2003-01-11) 11 January 2003 (age 21) 3 1   Lössi 2023 Pacific Games
MF Ritchi Iwa (1999-08-31) 31 August 1999 (age 25) 3 0   Païta 2023 Pacific Games
MF Makalu Xowi (1999-04-20) 20 April 1999 (age 25) 4 3   Central Sport 2023 Pacific Games
MF Robert Neoere (1996-04-18) 18 April 1996 (age 28) 3 0   Kunié 2023 Pacific Games
MF Pierre Wawia (2000-03-13) 13 March 2000 (age 24) 3 1   Tiga Sport 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup

FW Lues Waya (2001-08-01) 1 August 2001 (age 23) 5 7   Vertou 2023 Pacific Games

Player records

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As of 10 October 2024[9]
Players in bold are still active with New Caledonia.

Most appearances

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Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Bertrand Kaï 43 23 2008–2022
2 Emile Béaruné 42 0 2010–2022
3 César Zeoula 41 13 2008–present
4 Joël Wakanumuné 39 1 2011–2022
Pierre Wajoka 39 13 2003–2011
6 Iamel Kabeu 34 20 2002–2013
7 Roy Kayara 31 8 2008–2019
8 Rocky Nyikeine 29 0 2011–present
9 Michel Hmaé 28 22 2003–2011
10 André Sinédo 27 1 2002–2011

Top goalscorers

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Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Bertrand Kaï 23 43 0.53 2008–2022
2 Michel Hmaé 22 28 0.79 2003–2011
3 Iamel Kabeu 20 34 0.59 2002–2013
4 Georges Gope-Fenepej 16 22 0.73 2011–present
5 Pierre Wajoka 13 39 0.33 2003–2011
César Zeoula 13 41 0.32 2008–present
7 Jean-Philippe Saïko 12 10 1.2 2016–2022
8 Joris Pibke 11 5 2.2 2000–2002
9 Paul Poatinda 10 10 1 2003–2004
10 Jacques Haeko 9 13 0.69 2011–2012

Competitive record

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FIFA World Cup

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FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  1930 to    2002 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
  2006 Did not qualify 4 2 1 1 16 2
  2010 12 7 3 2 22 13
  2014 5 3 0 2 19 7
  2018 4 1 2 1 9 3
  2022 3 0 0 3 2 10
      2026 To be determined 1 1 0 0 3 1
      2030 To be determined
  2034
Total 0/5 29 14 6 9 71 36

OFC Nations Cup

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Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  1973 Third place 3rd 5 3 0 2 10 6 No qualification
  1980 Third place 3rd 4 3 0 1 14 12
1996 Did not qualify 4 1 0 3 5 9
  1998 4 0 0 4 4 10
  2000 4 2 0 2 11 11
  2002 Group stage 8th 3 0 0 3 1 14 4 3 0 1 25 4
  2004 Did not qualify 4 2 1 1 16 2
2008 Runners-up 2nd 6 2 2 2 12 10 6 5 1 0 10 3
  2012 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 0 2 19 7 Qualified automatically
  2016 Semi-finals 3rd 4 1 2 1 9 3
    2024 Qualified but withdrew[a]
Total Runners-up 6/11 27 12 4 11 65 52 26 13 2 11 71 39

Pacific Games

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Pacific Games record
Year Host Round Pld W D* L GF GA
1963   Fiji Champions 2 2 0 0 10 3
1966   New Caledonia Runners-up 4 3 0 1 17 2
1969   Papua New Guinea Champions 5 4 1 0 20 3
1971   Tahiti Champions 4 3 1 0 12 2
1975   Guam Runners-up 5 4 0 1 16 4
1979   Fiji Fourth place 5 3 0 2 26 8
1983   Samoa Third place 6 4 0 2 16 11
1987   New Caledonia Champions 6 5 0 1 26 4
1991   Papua New Guinea Third place 5 3 0 2 13 8
1995   Tahiti Group stage 4 2 0 2 19 3
2003   Fiji Runners-up 6 4 1 1 29 3
2007   Samoa Champions 6 5 1 0 10 3
2011   New Caledonia Champions 7 6 0 1 36 3
2015   Papua New Guinea See New Caledonia national under-23 football team
2019   Samoa Runners-up 6 5 0 1 23 2
2023   Solomon Islands Champions 4 3 1 0 18 2
Total 8 Titles 69 52 5 13 268 59

MSG Prime Minister's Cup

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MSG Prime Minister's Cup record
Year Host Position Pld W D* L GF GA
1988   Solomon Islands 4th 4 1 0 3 6 5
1989   Fiji Runners-up 4 3 0 1 9 5
1990   Vanuatu Runners-up 4 2 1 1 5 3
1992   Vanuatu Runners-up 3 2 1 0 4 2
1994   Solomon Islands 4th 4 1 0 3 5 9
1998   Vanuatu 5th 4 0 0 4 4 10
2000   Fiji 4th 4 2 0 2 11 11
2022   Vanuatu 6th 2 0 0 2 0 2
2023   New Caledonia Runners-up 3 2 0 1 7 2
Total Runners-up 32 13 2 17 51 49

Head-to-head record

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Up to matches played on 10 October 2024.

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 5 5 0 0 40 0 +40 100.00
  Estonia 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0.00
  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
  Micronesia 1 1 0 0 18 0 +18 100.00
  New Zealand 33 11 2 20 46 71 −25 33.33
  Papua New Guinea 20 14 2 4 55 18 +37 70.00
  Réunion 2 0 0 2 3 7 −4 0.00
  Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1 1 0 0 16 1 +15 100.00
  Samoa[b] 4 4 0 0 29 0 +29 100.00
  Solomon Islands 28 14 3 11 55 33 +22 50.00
  Tahiti 64 27 14 23 108 78 +30 42.19
  Tonga 6 6 0 0 43 2 +41 100.00
  Tuvalu 5 4 0 1 32 2 +30 80.00
  Vanuatu[c] 40 25 7 8 102 45 +57 62.50
  Wallis and Futuna 3 3 0 0 19 1 +18 100.00
Total 272 135 36 101 716 384 +332 49.63
  1. ^ Withdrew before the tournament started due to the social unrest in the country.
  2. ^ Includes results as Western Samoa.
  3. ^ 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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1987 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1998 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2002 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2003 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2003 Away
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2004 Third
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2006 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2006 Away
 
 
 
 
 
 
2007 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
2007 Away
 
 
 
 
 
 
2008 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012 Away
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 Away
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2022
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2022
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2022
 
 
 
 
 
 
2022
 
 
 
 
 
 
2022

Sources:[10][11][12][13][14]

References

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  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 24 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 16 October 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  3. ^ FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking September 2008
  4. ^ "A Little History". Federation of Caledonian Football. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  5. ^ "New Caledonia". Footballdatabase.eu. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  6. ^ "New Caledonia camisa de futebol 2004 – 2006". 8 May 2012. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  7. ^ a b c "La Fédération se résout à la "NON-PARTICIPATION" des cagous". New Caledonian Football Federation. 5 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Here's the squad for New Caledonia 🇳🇨". Twitter. FCF Foot.
  9. ^ "New Caledonia". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  10. ^ "FOOTBALL IN NEW CALEDONIA". 2023.
  11. ^ "2003".
  12. ^ "2004". YouTube. 16 August 2020.
  13. ^ "2011".
  14. ^ "2022". YouTube. 22 September 2022.
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