Papua New Guinea national soccer team

Papua New Guinea national soccer team
Medal record
Pacific Games

Papua New Guinea
Nickname(s)	Kapuls (Cuscus)
Association	Papua New Guinea Football Association
Confederation	OFC (Oceania)
Head coach	Bob Morris
Captain	Michael Foster
Most caps	Michael Foster (27)
Top scorer	Reggie Davani (15)
Home stadium	Hubert Murray Stadium
FIFA code	PNG
First colours	Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	166 1 (4 April 2024)
Highest	153 (June 2017)
Lowest	206 (October–November 2015)
First international
	Fiji 3–1 Papua New Guinea ; (Suva, Fiji; 29 August 1963)
Biggest win
	Papua New Guinea 20–0 American Samoa ; (Nouméa, New Caledonia; 15 December 1987)
Biggest defeat
	Australia 11–2 Papua New Guinea ; (Nouméa, New Caledonia; 26 February 1980)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances	4 (first in 1980)
Best result	Runners-up, 2016

The Papua New Guinea national football team is the national team of Papua New Guinea and is controlled by the Papua New Guinea Football Association. Its nickname is the Kapuls,^[5]^[6] which is Tok Pisin for Cuscus.

Papua New Guinea's highest ever FIFA ranking was 153, in June 2017. As of June 2019, the country was ranked 171 out of 211 countries. This was a drop of 2 places from May 2019.^[7] Papua New Guinea had previously left the FIFA rankings, having not competed in a match between July 2007 and August 2011. Their matches at the 2015 Pacific Games saw them return to the rankings, and they competed in the 2016 OFC Nations Cup in June 2016.

Competitive record

World Cup record

FIFA World Cup record										FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pos	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1994	Did not participate								Did not participate
1998	Did not qualify								3rd	6	2	1	3	5	13
2002	Did not participate								Did not participate
2006	Did not qualify								3rd	4	2	1	1	17	6
2010	Disqualified								Disqualified
2014	Did not qualify								4th	3	0	1	2	2	4
2018	Did not qualify								3rd	9	3	3	3	19	13
2022	To be determined								To be determined
2026	To be determined								To be determined
Total		0/21								22	7	6	9	43	36

* Although initially listed by FIFA as having entered the 2010 World Cup, PNG did not enter the football tournament at the 2007 South Pacific Games, which was used as the preliminary round of the Oceanian zone qualification tournament.

Oceania Nations Cup record

OFC Nations Cup record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1973	Did not enter
1980	Group stage	6th	3	1	0	2	6	22
1996	Did not qualify
1998
2000
2002	Group stage	7th	3	0	1	2	2	12
2004	Did not qualify
2008	Did not enter
2012	Group stage	7th	3	0	1	2	2	4
2016	Runners-up	2nd	5	2	3*	0	13	4
2020	Qualified	TBD	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	Runners-up	5/11	14	3	5*	6	23	42

*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

South Pacific Games record

South Pacific Games record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1963	1st round	5th	1	0	0	1	1	3
1966	Fourth place	4th	4	1	0	3	14	14
1969	Third place	3rd	6	3	1	2	11	10
1971	Fourth place	4th	3	1	1	1	19	11
1975	Group stage	6th	2	0	0	2	3	9
1979	Quarter-finals	5th	3	1	1	1	15	3
1983	Fourth place	4th	4	1	0	3	22	10
1987	Third place	3rd	6	3	2	1	26	4
1991	Group stage	5th	3	1	1	1	3	2
1995	Group stage	6th	3	1	1	1	11	5
2003	Group stage	6th	4	1	1	2	12	7
2007	Disqualified
2011	Group stage	6th	4	2	1	1	22	4
2015	See Papua New Guinea national under-23 football team
Total	Third place	12/14	43	15	9	19	159	82

Kit sponsorship

Kit lier	Period
Joma	1998-2000^[8]
Puma	2007–2010
Nike	2011–2012
Lotto	2013–2015
none	2016
Adidas	2017-

Results and fixtures

For all past match results of the national team, see the team's 1963–89 results page and 1990–2019 results page.

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Recent results

8 July 2019 2019 Pacific Games Group Stage	Samoa	0–6	Papua New Guinea	Apia
19:00		Report	K. Kepo 1', 52', 75' Dabinyaba 83' Gunemba 87' A. Kepo 90'	Stadium: National Soccer Stadium Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Clifford Daypuyat (Philippines)

10 July 2019 2019 Pacific Games Group Stage	Papua New Guinea	2–0	Vanuatu	Apia
19:00	Gunemba 11' Simon 41'	Report		Stadium: National Soccer Stadium Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Thoriq Munir Alkatiri (Indonesia)

15 July 2019 2019 Pacific Games Group Stage	New Zealand	2–0	Papua New Guinea	Apia
10:00	Whyte 34' (pen.) Schnell 79'	Report		Stadium: National Soccer Stadium Attendance: 300 Referee: Pari Oito (Tahiti)

18 July 2019 2019 Pacific Games Group Stage	Papua New Guinea	8–0	Tonga	Apia
9:00	Kamen 22', 54' Dabinyaba 48' Simon 58' (pen.), 62', 90+1' Aisa 80' Upaiga 83'	Report		Stadium: National Soccer Stadium Attendance: 100 Referee: Clifford Daypuyat (Philippines)

20 July 2019 2019 Pacific Games Bronze Match	Papua New Guinea	1–1 (2–4 p)	Fiji	Apia
9:00	K. Kepo 38'	Report	Krishna 58'	Stadium: National Soccer Stadium Attendance: 700 Referee: Thoriq Munir Alkatiri (Indonesia)
	Penalties
	Foster Dabinyaba A. Komolong K. Kepo		Krishna Hughes Votoniu Rawaqa

Record by opponent

Up to matches played on 20 July 2019.

Opponent	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	%W
American Samoa	3	3	0	0	37	0	+37	100.00
Australia	1	0	0	1	2	11	−9	000.00
China	2	0	1	1	2	5	−3	000.00
Chinese Taipei	2	0	2	0	3	3	+0	000.00
Cook Islands	2	2	0	0	20	1	+19	100.00
Micronesia	1	1	0	0	10	0	+10	100.00
Fiji	18	2	5	11	15	34	−19	011.11
Guam	1	1	0	0	9	0	+9	100.00
Iran	1	0	0	1	1	8	−7	000.00
Indonesia	2	1	0	1	3	8	−5	050.00
Kiribati	2	2	0	0	30	1	+29	100.00
Liberia	1	1	0	0	2	1	+1	100.00
Malaysia	4	1	0	3	5	17	−12	025.00
New Caledonia	16	3	2	11	14	47	−33	018.75
New Zealand	5	1	1	3	3	18	−15	020.00
New Zealand U23	1	0	0	1	0	2	−2	000.00
Niue	1	1	0	0	19	0	+19	100.00
North Korea	1	0	0	1	0	4	−4	000.00
Philippines	1	0	0	1	0	5	−5	000.00
Samoa^[A]	5	5	0	0	26	3	+23	100.00
Singapore	2	0	0	2	5	9	−4	000.00
Solomon Islands	21	5	4	12	26	34	−8	023.81
Tahiti	15	1	4	10	17	47	−30	006.67
Thailand	1	1	0	0	4	1	+3	100.00
Tonga	4	3	1	0	20	2	+18	075.00
Vanuatu^[B]	20	8	4	8	27	32	−5	040.00
Wallis and Futuna	3	3	0	0	16	1	+15	100.00
Total	136	46	24	66	321	289	+32	033.82

Notes

^
A: Includes results as Western Samoa
^
B: Includes results as the New Hebrides

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2019 Pacific Games from 7–20 July in Apia, Samoa.

Caps and goals correct after the match against Fiji on 20 July 2019.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Ishmael Pole	(1993-01-25) 25 January 1993 (age 31)	1	0	Hekari United
20	1GK	Ronald Warisan	(1989-09-20) 20 September 1989 (age 34)	18	0	Lae City

2	2DF	Daniel Joe	(1990-05-29) 29 May 1990 (age 33)	17	0	Hekari United
3	2DF	Joshua Talau	(1996-04-19) 19 April 1996 (age 28)	3	0	Lae City
4	2DF	Alwin Komolong	(1994-11-02) 2 November 1994 (age 29)	16	0	Lae City
5	2DF	Felix Komolong	(1997-03-06) 6 March 1997 (age 27)	19	0	Lae City
12	2DF	Shane Sakael	(1992-12-31) 31 December 1992 (age 31)	1	0	Hekari United
15	2DF	Dinniget Luaine	(2000-05-16) 16 May 2000 (age 23)	0	0	Besta PNG United
19	2DF	Koriak Upaiga	(1987-06-13) 13 June 1987 (age 36)	19	2	Hekari United
23	2DF	Langarap Samol	(1989-07-21) 21 July 1989 (age 34)	1	0	Kagua-Erave

6	3MF	Patrick Aisa	(1994-07-06) 6 July 1994 (age 29)	12	3	Hekari United
8	3MF	Michael Foster (captain)	(1985-09-05) 5 September 1985 (age 38)	27	7	Malaita Kingz
14	3MF	Emmanuel Simon	(1992-12-25) 25 December 1992 (age 31)	19	4	Malaita Kingz
17	3MF	Jacob Sabua	(1994-08-25) 25 August 1994 (age 29)	15	0	Lae City
18	3MF	Gregory Togubai	(1998-03-22) 22 March 1998 (age 26)	2	0	Hekari United
22	3MF	Kolu Kepo	(1993-07-15) 15 July 1993 (age 30)	6	4	Hekari United

7	4FW	Raymond Gunemba	(1986-06-04) 4 June 1986 (age 37)	21	11	Lae City
9	4FW	Nigel Dabinyaba	(1992-10-26) 26 October 1992 (age 31)	19	8	Malaita Kingz
10	4FW	David Browne	(1995-12-27) 27 December 1995 (age 28)	3	0	HJK Helsinki
11	4FW	Atti Kepo	(1996-01-15) 15 January 1996 (age 28)	4	1	Hekari United
13	4FW	Tommy Semmy	(1994-09-30) 30 September 1994 (age 29)	10	3	Hamilton Wanderers
16	4FW	Jonathan Allen	(2000-01-03) 3 January 2000 (age 24)	1	0	Bougainville
21	4FW	Alex Kamen	(1993-08-26) 26 August 1993 (age 30)	1	2	Morobe United

Recent call-ups

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

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Leslie Kalai	(1984-12-06) 6 December 1984 (age 39)	7	0	Hekari United
1GK	Kusuga Komolong	(1998-06-23) 23 June 1998 (age 25)	1	0	University Inter
1GK	Luke Kaprangi	(1993-12-14) 14 December 1993 (age 30)	0	0	PS Rutz
1GK	Ila David	(1992-06-11) 11 June 1992 (age 31)	0	0	University Inter

2DF	Philip Steven	(1995-01-19) 19 January 1995 (age 29)	4	0	Bougainville
2DF	Abel Redenut	(1995-04-17) 17 April 1995 (age 29)	4	0	Bougainville
2DF	Roland Bala	(1990-09-18) 18 September 1990 (age 33)	2	0	Southern United
2DF	Clement Willis	(1993-01-21) 21 January 1993 (age 31)	4	0	Lae City
2DF	Otto Kusunan	(1993-07-29) 29 July 1993 (age 30)	0	0	Hekari United
2DF	Freeman Giwi	(2000-07-07) 7 July 2000 (age 23)	0	0	Tusbab Stallions

3MF	David Muta	(1987-10-24) 24 October 1987 (age 36)	17	1	Hekari United
3MF	Wira Wama	(1989-10-24) 24 October 1989 (age 34)	5	0	Hekari United
3MF	Obert Bika	(1993-05-11) 11 May 1993 (age 30)	3	0	Malaita Kingz
3MF	Stahl Gubag	(1999-07-17) 17 July 1999 (age 24)	2	0	Tusbab Stallions
3MF	Papalau Awele	(1995-02-01) 1 February 1995 (age 29)	1	0	Tusbab Stallions
3MF	Donovan Murray	(1993-05-23) 23 May 1993 (age 30)	1	0	PS Rutz
3MF	Emmanuel Airem	(1994-11-22) 22 November 1994 (age 29)	0	0	Lae City
3MF	Basil Jofari	(1994-01-15) 15 January 1994 (age 30)	0	0	Bougainville
3MF	Ricky Wadunah	(2000-12-20) 20 December 2000 (age 23)	0	0	Besta PNG United
3MF	Emmanuel Simongi	(2000-09-25) 25 September 2000 (age 23)	0	0	Lae City
3MF	Yagi Yasasa	(2000-08-17) 17 August 2000 (age 23)	0	0	Besta PNG United
3MF	Henry Ronny		0	0	Morobe United
3MF	Shane Sakael	(1992-12-31) 31 December 1992 (age 31)	0	0	Hekari United

4FW	Richard Alois	(1995-10-17) 17 October 1995 (age 28)	2	0	PS Rutz
4FW	Jordan Kaven		0	0	Port Moresby United
4FW	Kenneth Arah		0	0	Gulf Komara
4FW	Russell Nirik		0	0	Morobe United

Managers

Richard Tamari Nagai 1996–1998
John Davani 2002
Steve Cain 2002
Ludwig Peka 2003–2004
Marcos Gusmão 2004–2011
Frank Farina 2011–2013
Mike Keeney 2013
Wynton Rufer 2014–2015
Flemming Serritslev 2015–2018
Bob Morris 2019–

References

^ "Soccer Unveils Plans for Pacific Games". PNG Courier. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
^ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesp/png-intres.html
^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
^ "Strikers To Play Papua New Guinea". Steve Pitman, Brisbane Strikers. 30 May 2011. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
^ "Farina's PNG aiming to defy odds". Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). 18 May 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
^ "FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
^ https://www.oldfootballshirts.com/pt/teams/p/papua-new-guinea/old-papua-new-guinea-football-shirt-s70265.html

External links

Papua New Guinea Football Association
"Latest Papua New Guinea Football News", Oceania Football Federation
National Football Teams
Pictorial History of PNG Football Kits
National football team of Papua New Guinea picture

[cnote_A] 
A: Includes results as Western Samoa

[cnote_B] 
B: Includes results as the New Hebrides

[Plans_for_Pacific_Games-1] "Soccer Unveils Plans for Pacific Games". PNG Courier. Retrieved 2 April 2019.

[FIFA_World_Rankings-2] "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.

[3] ttp://www.rsssf.com/tablesp/png-intres.html

[World_Football_Elo_Ratings-4] Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.

[5] "Strikers To Play Papua New Guinea". Steve Pitman, Brisbane Strikers. 30 May 2011. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.

[6] "Farina's PNG aiming to defy odds". Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). 18 May 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.

[FIFA_ranking-7] "FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2019.

[8] ttps://www.oldfootballshirts.com/pt/teams/p/papua-new-guinea/old-papua-new-guinea-football-shirt-s70265.html

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v t e National football teams of Oceania (OFC)
OFC Nations Cup
Active	American Samoa Cook Islands FS Micronesia² Fiji Kiribati¹ New Caledonia New Zealand Niue² Palau² Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Tahiti Tonga Tuvalu¹ Vanuatu
Former	Australia (moved to AFC in 2006) Northern Mariana Islands³ (moved to AFC in 2009) Chinese Taipei (Taiwan)⁴ (returned to AFC in 1989)
¹ Associate member of OFC - Not a member of FIFA ² Not a member of OFC and consequently not a member of FIFA ³ Northern Mariana Islands was only an associate member of OFC between 1998 and 2009 - Not a member of FIFA ⁴ Although not geographically in Oceania, Chinese Taipei was a member of the OFC between 1976–1978 and 1982–1989 Although not geographically in Oceania Israel entered OFC World Cup qualification in 1986 and 1990 due to political reasons, though it never became a formal OFC member.

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