Maldives national football team

{{See also|1997 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup}}

This was the third edition of SAFF Cup which was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, and it was Maldives' first campaign in this regional tournament.

Maldives was placed in the group B with India and Bangladesh, where they advanced into the semi-final as the group's second team with two points in hand. They drew their first match against Bangladesh with the help of Lirugham Saeed's only goal. In the second match, they drew against the India 2–2, in which Ibrahim Rasheed and Mohamed Nizam came scoring when the Red Snappers were at a two-goal deposit.

Maldives went on to win the semi-final match 2–1 against Sri Lanka with Shah Ismail and Mohamed Nizam on the scoreline, but lost the final match to India by 5–1, where Adam Abdul Latheef scored the only goal for Maldives.

{{See also|1999 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup}}

In this edition of SAFF Cup, hosted in Fatorda Stadium, Goa, India, Maldives were grouped with Nepal and Sri Lanka, where Maldives finished at the top of the group B.

First match against Sri Lanka ended as a goalless draw while they managed to win 3–2 against the Nepal. Shah Ismail, Mohamed Wildhan and Mausoom Abdul Gafoor scored the goals for Maldives in this match.

Maldives had to face the two times SAFF Cup champion India in the semi-final and lost the game by 2–1, where Mohamed Wildhan scored against the Blue Tigers. Though they failed to qualify for the Final of the tournament, they claimed the bronze by defeating Nepal in the third place play-off match by 2–0. Mohamed Wildhan and Mohamed Ibrahim were the goal scorers.

Mohamed Wildhan shared the top scorer award with Nepal's Naresh Joshi, India's Baichung Bhutia and Bangladesh's Mihazur Rehman scoring three goals each in this competition.

{{See also|2003 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup}}

In the 2003 SAFF Gold Cup held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Maldives were drawn in the group B along with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

Maldives won their first match 6–0 a record win of the highest number of goals scored by a team in a single match in this tournament history against Bhutan, with Maldives' first hat-trick in the regional tournament, scored by Ali Shiham. Mohamed Nizam, Ashraf Luthfy and Ali Umar scored one goal each in this victory. Despite the 1–0 loss to Bangladesh in the second match, Maldives won their third match against Nepal and they were through into the semi-final of the tournament as the group runners-up. Mohamed Nizam, Ashraf Luthfy and Ali Umar scored in their 3–2 win over Nepal.

Ibrahim Fazeel scored the only goal against Pakistan in the semi-final, which helped them to reach the final for the second time. Ali Umar's only goal in the second half helped Maldives to survive until the penalty shootout in the final match against Bangladesh, but Maldives lost 5–3 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium where Ahmed Naaz, Ismail Naseem and Ibrahim Fazeel succeeded to convert it from the spot but Ashraf Luthfy failed.

{{See also|2005 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup}}

In 2005, the tournament was held in Pakistan and Maldives were drawn with Afghanistan and Sri Lanka along with the host Pakistan in group A.

Maldives started their campaign by breaking their own record created in the previous edition 2003, scoring a highest number of goals by a team in a single match. They won the first match 9–1 against Afghanistan. Ibrahim Fazeel and Ahmed Thoriq both scored a hat-trick while Ali Ashfaq scored a brace and Ali Umar scored their opener. They won their second match against Sri Lanka 2–0 with goals from Ali Ashfaq and Ali Umar, while they ended at the top of the group, leaving the host Pakistan in second even after the goalless draw against them in the final group stage match.

Even though Maldives lost the semi-final match against India by one goal to nil, the top scorer award was shared by three of the Maldivian players; Ibrahim hassan, Ali Ashfaq and Ahmed Thoriq scored three goals each.

{{football squad on pitch|align=left

| GK = Imran

| RB = Assad (C)

| RCB = Sobah

| LCB = Jameel

| LB = Saeed

| DM = Shifan

| RM = Mukhthar

| LM = Ismail

| AM = Fazeel

| RCF = Thoriq

| LCF = Ashfaq

| caption = 2008 SAFF Championship Final starting lineup on June 14, 2008, in Sugathadasa Stadium (Colombo).

}}

{{See also|2008 SAFF Championship}}

The 2008 SAFF Championship draw, which took place on 26 February 2007, placed Maldives in group A, alongside Nepal, India, and Pakistan. Maldives started with a comfortable 3–0 win over Pakistan, with the goals from Mohamed Shifan, Ahmed Thoriq and an own goal from Naveed Akram.{{cite web | url=http://www.maldivesoccer.net/v4/?page=story&id=1965 | title=Maldives 3 – 0 Pakistan: Dream Start | publisher=maldivesoccer | date=3 June 2008 | access-date=1 June 2012 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730190411/http://www.maldivesoccer.net/v4/?page=story&id=1965 | archive-date=30 July 2012 }} In their second match they defeated Nepal 4–1, with two goals apiece from Ismail Mohamed and Ibrahim Fazeel.{{cite web | url=http://maldivesoccer.net/v4/?page=story&id=1977 | title=Maldives 4 – 1 Nepal: Host cruise to the semi-final | publisher=maldivesoccer | date=5 June 2008 | access-date=1 June 2012 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213115248/http://maldivesoccer.net/v4/?page=story&id=1977 | archive-date=13 February 2012 }} They lost their last group stage match against India, 0–1.{{cite web | url=http://maldivesoccer.net/v4/?page=story&id=1986 | title=Maldives 0 – 1 India: Unlucky hosts | publisher=maldivesoccer | date=7 June 2008 | access-date=1 June 2012 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213115301/http://maldivesoccer.net/v4/?page=story&id=1986 | archive-date=13 February 2012 }}

They advanced to the semi-finals and defeated Sri Lanka 0–1, with a brilliant goal by Ibrahim Fazeel on a pass from Ali Ashfaq. They then advanced to the final for the third time in SAFF Championship history.{{cite web | url=http://maldivesoccer.net/v4/?page=story&id=2005 | title=Sri Lanka 0–1 Maldives: Fazeel's wonder goal | publisher=maldivesoccer | date=11 June 2008 | access-date=1 June 2012 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213115329/http://maldivesoccer.net/v4/?page=story&id=2005 | archive-date=13 February 2012 }}

In the final three minutes of full-time during the SAFF Championship final against the four time SAFF Championship Champions India, Mukhthar Naseer scored a single goal from a corner kick taken by Ali Ashfaq, winning the SAFF Championship for Maldives for the first time in their history. Maldives won the SAFF Championship by scoring nine goals and conceding two.{{cite web | url=http://maldivesoccer.net/v4/?page=story&id=2011 | title=India 0–1 Maldives: New champions | publisher=maldivesoccer | date=14 June 2008 | access-date=1 June 2012 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307135415/http://maldivesoccer.net/v4/?page=story&id=2011 | archive-date=7 March 2012 }}

In 2008 SAFF Championship, Ali Ashfaq won the Best Player award. Maldives was the team who scored the most goals in this year's competition along with their rivals India. They were also the team who conceded the fewest goals in the tournament.

The SAFF Championship was Maldives first ever gold medal in Maldivian Football history, and to celebrate this memorable day the President declared that 15 June 2008 will be a public holiday. The only goal scored in the final match, by Mukhthar, was his first international goal for the Maldives national football team.

{{See also|2009 SAFF Championship}}

Maldives were drawn with the rivals India in group A, along with Afghanistan and Nepal.{{cite web | url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=108147 | title=Hosts avoid India | publisher=The Daily Star | date=4 October 2009 | access-date=29 January 2015 | archive-date=7 April 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407144837/http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=108147 | url-status=live }}

Maldives started their campaign as the defending champions, facing a 1–1 draw where The Gorkhalis did not allow the red snappers win the match with the only goal by Ahmed Thoriq. In their second match they defeated Afghanistan by 3–1 with two goals from Ali Ashfaq and one from Ahmed Thoriq. Their next match against rival India on 9 December was won by 2–0, Ahmed Thoriq and Ibrahim Fazeel scoring the goals which took them into the semi-finals as group A winners, finishing the group stage ahead of India.{{cite web | url=http://www.maldivesoccer.com/s/Maldives-2--0-India-Champions-through-2944 | title=Maldives 2 – 0 India: Champions through | publisher=maldivesoccer | date=9 December 2009 | access-date=29 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055042/http://www.maldivesoccer.com/s/Maldives-2--0-India-Champions-through-2944 | archive-date=4 March 2016 | url-status=dead }}

In the semi-final, they defeated Sri Lanka with a comfortable score line of 5–1{{cite web | url=http://www.maldivesoccer.com/s/Maldives-5--1-Sri-Lanka-Maldives-enters-final-2951 | title=Maldives 5 – 1 Sri Lanka: Maldives enters final | publisher=maldivesoccer | date=11 December 2009 | access-date=29 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307174012/http://maldivesoccer.com/s/maldives-5--1-sri-lanka-maldives-enters-final-2951 | archive-date=7 March 2016 | url-status=dead }} where Ibrahim Fazeel scored two goals and Ahmed Thoriq, Ali Ashfaq and Ashad Ali scored one goal each, but they lost 3–1 to eventual winners India from a penalty shootout in the final after playing 120 minutes without seeing a goal from either sides. Ibrahim Fazeel was the only player to score in the penalty shootout for Maldives while Ahmed Thoriq, Mukhthar Naseer and Ali Ashfaq failed to convert it from the spot.{{cite web | url=http://www.maldivesoccer.com/s/Maldives-0--0-India-India-wins-on-penalties-2969 | title=Maldives 0 – 0 India: India wins on penalties | publisher=maldivesoccer | date=13 December 2009 | access-date=29 January 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040120/http://www.maldivesoccer.com/s/Maldives-0--0-India-India-wins-on-penalties-2969 | archive-date=4 March 2016 }}

Ahmed Thoriq shared the top scorer award with Bangladesh's Enamul Haque and Sri Lanka's Channa Ediri Bandanage scoring four goals each in this competition.

This was the second time Maldives lost the SAFF Championship final in penalties, and Bangabandhu National Stadium was the venue on both occasions.

{{See also|2011 SAFF Championship}}

The 2011 SAFF Championship hosted in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi was the tournament with Maldives' worst result. Even though Maldives managed to qualify for the semi-finals as the group winner, Maldives ended their campaign with only one win, two draws and losing one game, scoring and conceding 5 goals.

Maldives were in the group B, drawn with Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan. They drew 1–1 against Nepal with Ali Ashfaq's only goal and their second game against Pakistan ended goalless. Maldives finished the group stage with a 3–1 win over Bangladesh, with Ahmed Thoriq's brace and Ali Ashfaq's goal.

Maldives lost 3–1 to India in the semi-final, Shamweel Qasim scoring Maldives' only goal.

{{See also|2013 SAFF Championship}}

File:SAFF Championship 2013 (11).JPG at the 2013 SAFF Championship]]

Maldives were drawn in the group B alongside Afghanistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

They started the group stage by renewing their record of scoring the most goals by a team in a single game; winning 10–0 against Sri Lanka.{{cite web | url=http://www.maldivesoccer.com/s/Maldives-100-Sri-Lanka-Ashfaq-hits-six-5138 | title=Maldives 10–0 Sri Lanka: Ashfaq hits six | publisher=maldivesoccer | date=2 September 2013 | access-date=29 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006073758/http://www.maldivesoccer.com/s/Maldives-100-Sri-Lanka-Ashfaq-hits-six-5138 | archive-date=6 October 2015 | url-status=dead }} In this match, skipper Ali Ashfaq scored a double hat-trick and broke the record of India's IM Vijayan who holds the record of all-time top scorer of the tournament with 12 goals.{{cite web | url=http://www.maldivesoccer.com/s/Record-breaker-5141 | title=Record breaker | publisher=maldivesoccer | date=3 September 2013 | access-date=29 January 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005205013/http://www.maldivesoccer.com/s/Record-breaker-5141 | archive-date=5 October 2015 }} He also made a new record of scoring the highest number of goals by a single player in a match in the tournament. Remaining goals of this match came from Assadhulla Abdulla, Hassan Adhuham, Ali Fasir and Ali Umar.

In their second match, Ali Ashfaq scored four goals and Ali Fasir scored a brace while Mohammad Umair and Ali Umar scored one goal each in the 8–2 win against Bhutan.{{cite web | url=http://www.maldivesoccer.com/s/SAFF-Cship-Maldives-8--2-Bhutan--5148 | title=SAFF C'ship: Maldives 8 – 2 Bhutan | publisher=maldivesoccer | date=4 September 2013 | access-date=29 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040454/http://www.maldivesoccer.com/s/SAFF-Cship-Maldives-8--2-Bhutan--5148 | archive-date=4 March 2016 | url-status=dead }} Maldives' third match of the group stage against Afghanistan ended goalless.{{cite web | url=http://www.maldivesoccer.com/s/SAFF-Cship-Afghanistan-0--0-Maldives-5159 | title=SAFF C'ship: Afghanistan 0 – 0 Maldives | publisher=maldivesoccer | date=6 September 2013 | access-date=29 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043326/http://www.maldivesoccer.com/s/SAFF-Cship-Afghanistan-0--0-Maldives-5159 | archive-date=4 March 2016 | url-status=dead }}

However, Maldives faced India for a record fourth time in a semi final match of this competition, and never won a semi final match against them as Maldives lost 1–0 in this semi final match at the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal.{{cite web | url=http://www.maldivesoccer.com/s/SAFF-Cship-India-1--0-Maldives-5170 | title=SAFF C'ship: India 1 – 0 Maldives | publisher=maldivesoccer | date=9 September 2013 | access-date=29 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063339/http://www.maldivesoccer.com/s/SAFF-Cship-India-1--0-Maldives-5170 | archive-date=4 March 2016 | url-status=dead }}

Ali Ashfaq won the Golden Boot Award, scoring 10 goals in the competition.{{cite web | url=http://www.maldivesoccer.com/s/Afghan-lifts-SAFF-Championship-5178 | title=Afghan lifts SAFF Championship | publisher=maldivesoccer | date=12 September 2013 | access-date=29 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914074617/http://www.maldivesoccer.com/s/Afghan-lifts-SAFF-Championship-5178 | archive-date=14 September 2013 | url-status=dead }} He now holds the record of competition's all-time top scorer with 18 goals, and the player to score the highest number of goals in one SAFF Championship; 10. India's IM Vijayan was the previous player to hold this record, scoring 6 goals in the 1997 edition.

{{See also|2018 SAFF Championship}}{{football squad on pitch|align=left

| GK = Faisal

| RB = Sifaau

| RCB = Akram (C)

| LCB = Samooh

| LB = Samdhooh

| LDM = Ibrahim

| RDM = Nihan

| RW = Fasir

| AM = Mahudhee

| LW = Hamza

| CF = Naiz

| caption = 2018 SAFF Championship Final starting lineup on 15 September 2018 at Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

}}

File:Maldives National Football Team in the 2018 SAFF Championship final.jpg starting lineup on 15 September 2018 at Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh.]]

Maldives was drawn in a group with Sri Lanka and India, where they drew with Sri Lanka at 0–0 and lost to India 2–0. Due to Maldives and Sri Lanka having accumulated the same points, a coin toss was held to decide which team will advance to the semi-finals against Nepal. Luck was in favor of Maldives as they won the coin toss and the match against Nepal 3–0.

This meant that Maldives would once against compete with India in the finals. During the first half of the match Maldives player Ibrahim Mahudhee scored the opening goal and in the second half Hamza Mohamed makes an excellent threaded through pass that allowed Ali Fasir to score the second goal for Maldives. India's Sumeet Passi scored a consolation goal for India in extra time.

The match ended with Maldives as the victors of the 2018 SAFF Suzuki championship making them the second team in the competition to have ever won the Cup more than once. Maldives goal keeper Mohamed Faisal won the MVP award of the competition for his work between the sticks.

File:Topu_Barman_in_action_against_Maldives_in_the_2021_SAFF_Championship.jpg (on right) against Bangladesh at the 2021 SAFF Championship.]]Maldives hosted the 2021 SAFF Championship, failing to advance to the knockout round from the lone group phase, achieving victories over Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and losing against Nepal and India in their four matches.https://olympics.com/en/news/saff-championship-2021-football-india-vs-maldives-result-sunil-chhetri-goal {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}} The team was placed at the top of the table until the eventual defeat against India in the last match of the group stage.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-10 |title=SAFF Championship 2021 roundup: Maldives move to top spot after Nepal lose to India {{!}} Goal.com UK |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/saff-championship-2021-roundup-india-bangladesh-nepal/1v008lz1pp4r5zs0c5errvhmg |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=www.goal.com |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2021-10-10 |title=SAFF Championship 2021 roundup: Maldives move to top spot after Nepal lose to India {{!}} Goal.com English Saudi Arabia |url=https://www.goal.com/en-sa/news/saff-championship-2021-roundup-india-bangladesh-nepal/1v008lz1pp4r5zs0c5errvhmg |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=www.goal.com |language=en-SA}}

Maldives left the tournament from group stage with a win and two losses.

File:MV National Team 2015.jpg attending the training session of Maldives national team, ahead of their World Cup qualifying match against Qatar.]]

Maldives has never qualified for such big tournaments and often classified as a weaker team in the continent. Nonetheless, Maldives achieved several impressive results. During 2006 World Cup qualification, Maldives stunned by drawing South Korea, an Asian powerhouse, 0–0 at home; and defeating Vietnam, a rising Asian team, in the same ground with an impressive 3–0. However, its worst defeat also occurred in the World Cup qualification as they were thrashed 0–17 by Iran in Damascus during 1998 World Cup qualification.

All Maldives matches are broadcast with full commentary on Television Maldives and Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu Radio Live.

National Football Stadium ({{langx|dv|ގައުމީ ފުޓުބޯޅަ ދަނޑު}}) is a multi-purpose stadium in Malé, Maldives. It is used mostly for football matches of the Dhivehi League, Maldives FA Cup, and International matches. The stadium holds around 11,850 spectators.{{cite web | url=http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/asia/maldives/male_dhandu.shtml | title=Rasmee Dhandu Stadium | publisher=worldstadiums | access-date=6 March 2013 | archive-date=21 October 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021034832/http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/asia/maldives/male_dhandu.shtml | url-status=dead }}

About 11,500 Maldivian supporters, including the former president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom, attended to see the 2008 SAFF Championship final match in Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka. After their win, many supporters, together with ministers, gave a warm welcome to the team on their return with their first gold medal. To celebrate this memorable day the President declared that 15 June 2008 will be a public holiday.

{{commons|Maldives national football team kits}}

Maldives' home kit comprises a red jersey and red shorts – red is the national colour of the Maldives, and represents the boldness of the nation's heroes.

Current kit colours: Home consist bright red jersey, dark red shorts and bright red socks. Away consist blue sleeves with teal jersey, blue shorts, and teal socks. Teal is new away colour for away. Third consist either all white kit or all dark green kit or all black kit.

{{main|Maldives national football team results}}

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

{{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFFFCC|Draw|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFCCCC|Loss|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFFFFF|Fixture|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{Football box collapsible

| format = 1

| round = Friendly

| date = {{Start date|2024|11|13|df=y}}

| time = 18:00 BST (UTC+6)

| team1 = {{fb-rt|BAN}}

| score = 0–1

| team2 = {{fb|MDV}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 = Fasir {{goal|18}}

| stadium = Bashundhara Kings Arena

| location = Dhaka, Bangladesh

| attendance =

| referee = Virendha Rai (Bhutan)

| report = https://www.newagebd.net/post/football/250189/fasir-punishes-wasteful-bangladesh

| result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

| format = 1

| round = Friendly

| date = {{Start date|2024|11|16|df=y}}

| time = 18:00 BST (UTC+6)

| team1 = {{fb-rt|BAN}}

| score = 2–1

| team2 = {{fb|MDV}}

| goals1 =

• Jony {{goal|43}}
• Papon {{goal|90+4}}

| goals2 = Fasir {{goal|23}}

| stadium = Bashundhara Kings Arena

| location = Dhaka, Bangladesh

| attendance =

| referee = Virendha Rai (Bhutan)

| report = https://www.newagebd.net/post/football/250435/last-gasp-papon-propels-bangladesh

| result = L

}}

{{football box collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 19 March 2025

|time = {{UTZ|19:00|5:30}}

|round = Friendly

|score = 3–0

|report =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|IND}}

|goals1 =

• Bheke {{goal|34}}
• Colaço {{goal|66}}
• Chhetri {{goal|76}}

|team2 = {{fb|MDV}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = JLN Stadium

|location = Shillong, India

|referee = Prajwol Chhetri (Nepal)

|result = L

}}

{{football box collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification

| date = 25 March 2025

| time = {{UTZ|19:00|8:00}}

| team1 = {{fb-rt|PHI}}

| score = 4–1

| team2 = {{fb|MDV}}

| goals1 =

• J. Tabinas {{goal|6}}
• Kristensen {{goal|19}}
• Schneider {{goal|77}}
• Reyes {{goal|90+2}}

| goals2 =

• Fasir {{goal|62}}

|stadium = New Clark City Athletics Stadium

|location = Capas, Philippines

| attendance = 3,334

| referee = Daniel Elder (Australia)

| report = [https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2025-03-25/philippines-vs-maldives/3587552/ Report]
[https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup.html/news/group-a-philippines-4-1-maldives Report (AFC)]

| result = L

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification

| date = 10 June 2025

| time = {{UTZ|20:00|8}}

| team1 = {{fb-rt|TLS}}

| score =

| report =

| team2 = {{fb|MDV}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = Insee Chantarasatit Stadium

| location = Bangkok, Thailand

| attendance =

| referee =

| result =

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification

| date = 9 October 2025

| time = {{UTZ||6}}

| team1 = {{fb-rt|TJK}}

| score =

| report =

| team2 = {{fb|MDV}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = Pamir Stadium

| location = Dushanbe, Tajikistan

| attendance =

| referee =

| result =

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification

| date = 14 October 2025

| time = {{UTZ|20:00|8}}

| team1 = {{fb-rt|MDV}}

| score =

| report =

| team2 = {{fb|TJK}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

|stadium = National Football Stadium

|location = Malé, Maldives

| attendance =

| referee =

| result =

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification

| date = 18 November 2025

| time = {{UTZ|20:00|8}}

| team1 = {{fb-rt|MDV}}

| score =

| report =

| team2 = {{fb|PHI}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

|stadium = National Football Stadium

|location = Malé, Maldives

| attendance =

| referee =

| result =

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification

| date = 31 March 2026

| time = {{UTZ||5:30}}

| team1 = {{fb-rt|MDV}}

| score =

| report =

| team2 = {{fb|TLS}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

|stadium = National Football Stadium

|location = Malé, Maldives

| attendance =

| referee =

| result =

}}

:Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

{{Div col|colwidth=25em}}

• {{flagicon|SRI}} P.D. Sirisena (1988)
• {{flagicon|HUN}} Miklós Temesvári (1991–93)
• {{flagicon|ROU}} Victor Stănculescu (1993–96)
• {{flagicon|BOL|civil}} Rómulo Cortez (1996–97)
• {{flagicon|UZB}} Vyacheslav Solokho (1999-2001)
• {{flagicon|SVK}} Jozef Jankech (2001–03)
• {{flagicon|POR}} Manuel Gomes (2004)
• {{flagicon|BUL}} Yordan Stoykov (2005–07)
• {{flagicon|SVK}} Jozef Jankech (2008)
• {{flagicon|HUN}} István Urbányi (2009–10)
• {{flagicon|ARG}} Andrés Cruciani (2010–11)
• {{flagicon|HUN}} István Urbányi (2011–13)
• {{flagicon|MDV}} Ali Nashid (2013–14)
• {{flagicon|CRO}} Drago Mamić (2014)
• {{flagicon|BUL}} Velizar Popov (2015)
• {{flagicon|MDV}} Ismail Mahfooz (2015)
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Ricki Herbert (2015–16)
• {{flagicon|MDV}} Ismail Mahfooz (2016)
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Darren Stewart (2016–18)
• {{flagicon|CRO}} Petar Segrt (2018–19)
• {{flagicon|NED}} Martin Koopman (2020–21)
• {{flagicon|MDV}} Ali Suzain (2021)
• {{flagicon|ITA}} Francesco Moriero (2021–2023)
• {{flagicon|MDV}} Ali Suzain (2024–present)

{{div col end}}

The following players were named in the squad for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification match against Philippines on 25 March 2025.

Caps and goals are correct 25 March 2025, after the match against {{fb|PHI}}.

{{nat fs g start}}

{{nat fs g player|no=1|pos=GK|name=Hussain Shareef|age={{birth date and age|1998|9|5|df=y}}|caps=15|goals=0|club=Maziya|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=18|pos=GK|name=Iyan Abdul Aleem|age={{birth date and age|1994|1|29|df=y}}|caps=8|goals=0|club=Maziya|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=22|pos=GK|name=Mohamed Yaameen|age={{birth date and age|2005|10|8|df=y}}|caps=4|goals=0|club=Unknown|clubnat=}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs g player|no=2|pos=DF|name=Ali Samooh|other=Captain|age={{birth date and age|1996|7|5|df=y}}|caps=46|goals=1|club=Maziya|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=4|pos=DF|name=Hussain Sifaau|age={{birth date and age|1996|2|4|df=y}}|caps=38|goals=1|club=Club Eagles|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=14|pos=DF|name=Haisham Hassan|age={{birth date and age|1999|7|21|df=y}}|caps=32|goals=0|club=Maziya|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=3|pos=DF|name=Ahmed Numaan|age={{birth date and age|1992|11|10|df=y}}|caps=28|goals=0|club=Maziya|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=6|pos=DF|name=Ahmed Aiham|age={{birth date and age|1998|3|23|df=y}}|caps=5|goals=0|club=Super United|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs g player|no=10|pos=MF|name=Hamza Mohamed|age={{birth date and age|1995|2|17|df=y}}|caps=63|goals=7|club=Maziya|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=17|pos=MF|name=Ibrahim Mahudhee|age={{birth date and age|1993|8|22|df=y}}|caps=41|goals=5|club=Maziya|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=23|pos=MF|name=Hussain Nihan|age={{birth date and age|1992|7|6|df=y}}|caps=36|goals=1|club=Maziya|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=8|pos=MF|name=Ibrahim Aisam|age={{birth date and age|df=y|1997|5|7}}|caps=29|goals=2|club=Maziya|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=5|pos=MF|name=Mohamed Irufaan|age={{birth date and age|1994|7|24|df=y}}|caps=18|goals=0|club=Maziya|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=21|pos=MF|name=Mohamed Naim|age={{birth date and age|1996|10|7|df=y}}|caps=13|goals=0|club=Club Eagles|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=19|pos=MF|name=Ahmed Rizuvan|age={{birth date and age|1995|6|4|df=y}}|caps=12|goals=0|club=Club Eagles|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=16|pos=MF|name=Ibrahim Usamaa Majeed|age={{birth date and age|df=y|1998|11|28}}|caps=9|goals=0|club=Biss Buru SC|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=13|pos=MF|name=Mohamed Nizam|age={{birth date and age|1994|6|11|df=y}}|caps=9|goals=0|club=Valencia|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=12|pos=MF|name=Nisham Mohamed Rasheed|age={{birth date and age|1999|1|31|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=TC Sports Club|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs g player|no=7|pos=FW|name=Ali Fasir|age={{birth date and age|1988|9|4|df=y}}|caps=75|goals=14|club=Valencia|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=9|pos=FW|name=Naiz Hassan|age={{birth date and age|1996|5|10|df=y}}|caps=47|goals=10|club=Maziya|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=11|pos=FW|name=Hassan Raif Ahmed|age={{birth date and age|1998|1|30|df=y}}|caps=17|goals=3|club=Club Eagles|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=15|pos=FW|name=Hassan Nazeem|age={{birth date and age|2001|5|24|df=y}}|caps=8|goals=1|club=Maziya|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=20|pos=FW|name=Muzdhan Hassan|age={{birth date and age|2006|5|4|df=y}}|caps=4|goals=0|club=Unknown|clubnat=}}

{{nat fs end}}

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

{{nat fs r start}}

{{nat fs break|background=#008751}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Hassan Shifaz|age={{birth date and age|1992|8|11|df=y}}|caps=11|goals=0|club=Maziya|clubnat=MDV|latest=v. {{fb|BAN}}; 16 November 2024}}

{{nat fs break|background=#008751}}

{{nat fs break|background=#008751}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Abdulla Looth Ibrahim|age={{birth date and age|2005|2|8|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Maziya|clubnat=MDV|latest=v. {{fb|BAN}}; 16 November 2024}}

{{nat fs end}}

{{updated|13 November 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Mamrud |first1=Roberto |title=Maldives - Record International Players |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/maled-recintlp.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=2 February 2023 |archive-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209054540/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/maled-recintlp.html |url-status=live }}

:Players in bold are still active with Maldives.

File:Imran Mohamed.jpg

File:Ali Ashfaq 2021.jpg

:*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

:**Gold background colour indicates that the tournament was won.

:***Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

{{See also|Maldives national under-23 football team}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

• AFC Challenge Cup
• {{Bronze3}} Third place (1): 2014

• SAFF Championship
• {{Gold1}} Champions (2): 2008, 2018
• {{Silver2}} Runners-up (3): 1997, 2003, 2009
• {{Bronze3}} Third place (1): 1999
• South Asian Games
• {{Silver2}} Silver medal (1): 1991
• {{Bronze3}} Bronze medal (1): 1984

• Nehru Cup
• Third place: 2012

• SAFF Championship Fair Play Award: 2015, 2021

Only official senior honours are included, according to FIFA statutes (competitions organized/recognized by FIFA or an affiliated confederation).

• Maldives women's national football team
• Maldives national under-23 football team
• Maldives national football team results

{{Reflist|group=note}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{official website|https://fam.mv/}}
• [https://www.the-afc.com/en/south/maldives.html Maldives] at AFC
• [https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/MDV Maldives] at FIFA
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080420033419/http://maldivesoccer.net/v4/ Maldives Soccer Fansite] (archived 20 April 2008)

{{Maldives national football team}}

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Category:Asian national association football teams

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