Northern Mariana Islands national football team#Top goalscorers

The Northern Mariana Islands made their international debut in an exhibition football tournament associated with the 1998 Micronesia Games.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nmarianas-intres.html |title=Northern Mariana Islands Representative Football Team ("The Blue Ayuyu") |last1=Morrison |first1=Neil |date=12 November 2014 |website=RSSSF |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=20 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120132316/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nmarianas-intres.html |url-status=live }} The original governing body for football in the Northern Mariana Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands Soccer Federation had been accepted as an associate member of the Oceania Football Confederation, but this was the first time records indicated they had participated in any international tournament.

The tournament was officially called the W.C.T.C. Shell Soccer Exhibition and was a demonstration event only at the games, not having medal status.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/micronesia98.html |title=Micronesian Games 1998 |last1=Cruikshank |first1=Mark |last2=Morrison |first2=Neil |last3=Veroeveren |first3=Piet |date=2 October 2014 |website=RSSSF |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=13 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713075238/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/micronesia98.html |url-status=live }} Furthermore, the tournament did not meet established regulations; the matches played were only 9-a-side, the games lasted only 80 minutes and the pitch was smaller than regulation size.

Nonetheless, the Northern Mariana Islands team performed well in the group stage playing against Guam, Palau, Yap (then considered essentially the Federated States of Micronesia national football team), a team representing the Micronesian state of Pohnpei and a "Palau B" team consisting of Bangladeshis living on Palau. The team won their first two matches 8–0 against Palau B and Yap respectively. A 2–1 loss to Guam in their third game was quickly forgotten as they went on to record resounding victories in their final two group games defeating Palau 12–1 and Pohnpei 11–2 to finish second in the group with a +35 goal difference after their five games, qualifying for the final match.RSSSF records the two matches against Palau B and Pohnpei as unconfirmed results.

The team avenged their earlier group stage defeat to Guam in the final, beating them 3–0 to claim the tournament title. Charles Kewo and Christopher Guerrero scored in the opening quarter of an hour to give the Northern Mariana Islands a 2–0 half time lead, a lead they extended in the second half through an unknown goalscorer (although other sources suggest Guerrero was the scorer) to seal their victory.

The following year, the team travelled to Yap to compete the first Micronesian Soccer Cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/micronesiacup99.html |title=Micronesian Cup 1999 |last1=Pratama |first1=Naufaldi |last2=Jovanovic |first2=Bjoan |date=23 July 2015 |website=RSSSF |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=2 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002125158/https://rsssf.org/tablesm/micronesiacup99.html |url-status=live }} This was a three team tournament consisting of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and an international team known as Crushers (or Crusaders according to other sources). Their performance here was less successful than at the Micronesian Games the previous year. In their first game, they lost 7–0 to the Federated States of Micronesia. It is not recorded whether they played their other group match against Crushers / Crusaders, but given that the final was contested between the Federated States of Micronesia and Crushers / Crusaders, it can be extrapolated that if the match did take place, the best result the Northern Mariana Islands could have achieved was a draw.

The country then entered something of a hiatus in footballing terms. The original governing body for football in the country, the Northern Mariana Islands Soccer Federation became defunct sometime between 2002 and 2003 and after that, no international competition took place until the current governing body, the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association (NMIFA) was founded in 2005. Around this time, reports indicate that there was no official men's football of any kind in the country. In 2006, discussions were held with the NMIFA concerning the establishment of an official men's league.{{cite web |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/a98e0031-1dfb-11e4-aedf-250bc8c9958e/ |title=NMIFA men to start soon |author= |date=4 November 2006 |website=saipantribune.com |publisher=Saipan Tribune |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=21 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821035303/http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/a98e0031-1dfb-11e4-aedf-250bc8c9958e/ |url-status=live }} At the time it was hoped that the establishment of an official men's competition would provide the means by which players who could meet the citizenship and eligibility criteria to represent the country at future tournaments might become involved. Under the auspices of the Northern Mariana Islands Soccer Federation, teams entered into tournaments such as the 1998 Micronesian Games included a number of foreign players working on Saipan as contractors. This was not uncommon in the area at this time and some other teams also included players of similar status. For the Northern Mariana Islands specifically, the only eligibility requirements players needed to fulfill was a two-year residency.

In December 2006, the East Asian Football Federation admitted the Northern Mariana Islands as a provisional member. This membership entitled them to a $120,000 annual grant from the EAFF to further football development in the country.{{cite web |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/aff2e536-1dfb-11e4-aedf-250bc8c9958e/ |title=NMIFA opens HQ at TSL |author= |date=29 April 2008 |website=saipantribune.com |publisher=Saipan Tribune |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=21 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821035308/http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/aff2e536-1dfb-11e4-aedf-250bc8c9958e/ |url-status=live }} The EAFF then granted full membership in September 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/b1efe4e2-1dfb-11e4-aedf-250bc8c9958e/ |title=EAFF grants NMIFA full membership |author= |website=saipantribune.com |publisher=Saipan Tribune |date=24 October 2008 |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=13 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613062806/https://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/b1efe4e2-1dfb-11e4-aedf-250bc8c9958e/ |url-status=live }}

Following their acceptance as an associate member of the EAFF, their first participation in EAFF competition was in the 2008 East Asian Football Championship Preliminary Round, a two legged tie against Guam. The first leg, played in Saipan, resulted in a 3–2 loss for the Northern Mariana Islands{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eastasia08.html |title=East Asian Championship 2008 |last1=Lee |first1=Seung Soo |last2=Saaid |first2=Hamdan |date=3 April 2009 |website=RSSSF |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=11 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811134932/https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eastasia08.html |url-status=live }} Mark McDonald twice equalized after Guam had taken the lead only for Zachary Pangelinan to score the winning goal in the 72nd minute. Nonetheless, the performance of the home team was positively received and was still remarked upon a year later.{{cite web |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/afd7dbdb-1dfb-11e4-aedf-250bc8c9958e/ |title=CNMI Men gearing up for Guam |author= |date=16 April 2008 |website=saipantribune.com |publisher=Saipan Tribune |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=20 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820140454/http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/afd7dbdb-1dfb-11e4-aedf-250bc8c9958e/ |url-status=live }} Unfortunately the return leg in Hagatna a week later produced a much more one-sided result as Guam were victorious 9–0, Pangelinan scoring five times and four other players scoring once to ensure that Guam not only progressed to the next round of the EAFF competition but also that they were the winners of the inaugural Marianas Cup, a perpetual trophy contested each time the two nations play each other.

The two teams met again the following year in Saipan and for the third time in a row, Guam were the victors.{{cite web |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/aff2a969-1dfb-11e4-aedf-250bc8c9958e/ |title=CNMI men go down fighting vs Guam |author= |date=28 April 2008 |website=saipantribune.com |publisher=Saipan Tribune |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=12 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512060236/http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/aff2a969-1dfb-11e4-aedf-250bc8c9958e/ |url-status=live }} Guam took the lead halfway through the first half through David Manibusan, but Joe Wang Miller equalized four minutes later and the teams went into half time tied at 1–1. Guam again took the lead in the 52nd minute through and own goal but the Northern Mariana Islands equalized with ten minutes left in normal time through Steven McKagen. With the teams tied at the end of 90 minutes, two periods of extra time of seven and a half minutes were played and in the 95th minute, Matthew Cruz scored the deciding goal with Guam running out victors 3–2 and retaining the Marianas Cup. Although there was disappointment in not winning, national newspapers commented that the performance was an improvement over the "shocking" 9–0 defeat in their previous encounter.

Prior to their AFC membership being accepted, the team made the short trip to Yona, Guam to compete in the preliminary round of the 2010 East Asian Football Championship. This time, instead of the two-legged playoffs against Guam contested in the previous edition, the Northern Mariana Islands took part in a four team group, the winner of which would advance to the next round. The team was drawn against hosts Guam, Mongolia and Macau.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eastasia2010.html |title=East Asian Championship 2010 |last1=Saaid |first1=Hamdan |last2=Stokkermans |first2=Karel |last3=King |first3=Ian |date=19 September 2013 |website=RSSSF |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=11 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811134927/https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eastasia2010.html |url-status=live }} The team prepared for the tournament for several months prior to departing for Guam, although in that time, they were only able to train with new coach Sugao Kambe for a month.{{cite web |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/b3838830-1dfb-11e4-aedf-250bc8c9958e/ |title=CNMI strikers leave today for EAFF tourney |author= |date=8 March 2009 |website=saipantribune.com |publisher=Saipan Tribune |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=20 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820070243/http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/b3838830-1dfb-11e4-aedf-250bc8c9958e/ |url-status=live }} It was acknowledged by their coach prior to their departure that they would be the least experienced of the four teams competing at this stage and this was to prove true as they lost all three of their games: 6–1 to Macau, 2–1 to Guam (a third successive Marianas Cup victory for Guam) and 4–1 to Mongolia. The team returned home without a positive result, although it was noted in the national press that they had been able to score in each of their three games.{{cite web |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/b3a98daf-1dfb-11e4-aedf-250bc8c9958e/ |title=CNMI keeps 'scoring streak' in Guam |author= |date=15 March 2009 |website=saipantribune.com |publisher=Saipan Tribune |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=20 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820070248/http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/b3a98daf-1dfb-11e4-aedf-250bc8c9958e/ |url-status=live }}

In July 2009, the AFC Executive Committee agreed to accept the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association (NMIFA) as an associate member of the Asian Football Confederation,{{cite web |url=http://www.the-afc.com/en/inside-afc/676-afc-news/24797-northern-mariana-islands-join-afc-as-associate-member |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407182836/http://www.the-afc.com/en/inside-afc/676-afc-news/24797-northern-mariana-islands-join-afc-as-associate-member |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 April 2018 |title=Northern Mariana Islands join AFC as Associate Member |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |date=15 July 2009}} after the association received permission for release from the Oceania Football Confederation in June 2009, paving the way to join AFC.{{cite web |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/b3a8c570-1dfb-11e4-aedf-250bc8c9958e/ |title=EAFF president Ogura visits N. Marianas |author= |date=11 March 2009 |website=saipantribune.com |publisher=Saipan Tribune |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=20 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820140450/http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/b3a8c570-1dfb-11e4-aedf-250bc8c9958e/ |url-status=live }} It was the NMIFA which resigned from the OFC, despite it being the earlier governing body, the Northern Mariana Islands Soccer Federation which had become a member in the first place.

On 19 June 2010, Northern Mariana Islands earned a 1–1 draw with neighbor Guam in the 2010 Marianas Cup. The match ended in a draw as there was insufficient lighting to continue the match after the end of regulation. Joe Wang Miller scored for the NMI in the 68th minute and Jason Cunliffe answered in the 89th minute to salvage a draw for Guam.

Despite the efforts of the NMIFA, delays in decision making around whether the 2011 Pacific Games football tournament would double as a FIFA World Cup qualifying event meant that the national team were unable to enter.{{cite web |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/bca1529f-1dfb-11e4-aedf-250bc8c9958e/ |title=Missed opportunity for CNMI strikers |author= |date=30 June 2011 |website=Saipan Tribune |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=18 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818191920/http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/bca1529f-1dfb-11e4-aedf-250bc8c9958e/ |url-status=live }} As a result, no games were played for the next two years until July 2012 when The Blue Ayuyus entered the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup First Preliminary Round, hosted again by Guam.{{cite web |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/cnmi-mens-nationals-all-set-for-eaff-tourney/ |title=CNMI Men's Nationals all set for EAFF tourney |last1=Monroyo |first1=Roselyn |date=17 July 2012 |website=saipantribune.com |publisher=Saipan Tribune |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=12 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512061831/http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/cnmi-mens-nationals-all-set-for-eaff-tourney/ |url-status=live }} New coach Chikashi Suzuki was conscious of the need to snap the losing run of matches against Guam, had recognized that previous squads had contained a large number of veteran players and called up a number of younger players such as Lucas Knecht and Bo Barry who were playing college and high school football respectively in the United States. However, the team still included a wide age range of players, Enrico del Rosario and Brian Lee were the youngest at 15 with Dan Westphal the oldest at 42.{{cite web |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/veterans-youth-make-up-national-teams/ |title=Veterans, youth make up national teams |last1=Monroyo |first1=Roselyn |date=12 July 2012 |website=saipantribune.com |publisher=Saipan Tribune |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=12 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512055147/http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/veterans-youth-make-up-national-teams/ |url-status=live }}

Optimism that the team might finally be able to beat Guam appeared well placed when Joe Wang Miller opened the scoring for the Northern Mariana Islands, but two fouls from William Dunn allowed Guam to score through a penalty and a free kick before a handball from Kirk Schuler gifted Guam their third goal{{cite web |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/cnmi-scores-first-against-guam/ |title=CNMI scores first against Guam |last1=Monroyo |first1=Roselyn |date=19 July 2012 |website=saipantribune.com |publisher=Saipan Tribune |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=12 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512055817/http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/cnmi-scores-first-against-guam/ |url-status=live }} confirming a fourth defeat out of five games against Guam. Despite the result, the team expressed confidence that they would be able to beat Macau, the other team in the three team qualification group, who still had to play Guam, and potentially secure the single qualifying berth for the next round.{{cite web |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/cnmi-still-upbeat-despite-loss-in-opener/ |title=CNMI still upbeat despite loss in opener |last1=Monroyo |first1=Roselyn |date=20 July 2012 |website=saipantribune.com |publisher=Saipan Tribune |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=12 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512060141/http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/cnmi-still-upbeat-despite-loss-in-opener/ |url-status=live }} However, this confidence was to be misplaced. Macau took a 2–0 lead at half time, despite resolute defending from the Blue Ayuyus in the first twenty minutes, and although Kirk Schuler was able to halve the deficit in the 51st minute, Macau scored three more goals, including a penalty to eliminate the Northern Mariana Islands at the first hurdle for the third consecutive time.{{cite web |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/schuler-gives-cnmi-second-goal-in-eaff-qualifier/ |title=Schuler gives CNMI second goal in EAFF qualifier |last1=Monroyo |first1=Roselyn |date=23 July 2012 |website=saipantribune.com |publisher=Saipan Tribune |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=12 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512062547/http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/schuler-gives-cnmi-second-goal-in-eaff-qualifier/ |url-status=live }}

In 2013, the team played their first ever series of matches against opposition from outside the EAFF, taking part in the qualifying rounds for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup.{{cite web |url=http://www.the-afc.com/afc-challenge-cup-2014-northern-mariana-islands/a-mountain-to-climb-for-islanders |title=A Mountain to Climb for Islanders |author= |date=12 December 2012 |website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=23 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923143045/http://www.the-afc.com/afc-challenge-cup-2014-northern-mariana-islands/a-mountain-to-climb-for-islanders |url-status=live }} With the football federation founded only a year prior to the inaugural edition of the AFC Challenge Cup, the team not only had to acclimatize to the elevated environment in which they would be playing, they would also have to face some very strong teams in the shape of Palestine, Bangladesh and Nepal

In their opening game against Nepal, they were dominated from the start, with Bharat Khawas opening the scoring in the fourth minute and completing his hat trick in the 72nd, with three other Nepalese players completing a 6–0 rout.{{cite web |url=http://www.the-afc.com/afc-challenge-cup-2014-northern-mariana-islands-nepal/nepal-6-0-northern-mariana-islands |title=Nepal 6–0 Northern Mariana Islands |author= |date=2 March 2013 |website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=23 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923141531/http://www.the-afc.com/afc-challenge-cup-2014-northern-mariana-islands-nepal/nepal-6-0-northern-mariana-islands |url-status=live }} In their second match they fared even worse, losing 9–0 to Palestine, the middle-eastern team scoring four times in the first half and five in the second.{{cite web |url=http://www.the-afc.com/afc-challenge-cup-2014-palestine-northern-mariana-islands/northern-mariana-islands-0-9-palestine |title=Northern Mariana Islands 0–9 Palestine |author= |date=4 March 2013 |website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=23 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923153514/http://www.the-afc.com/afc-challenge-cup-2014-palestine-northern-mariana-islands/northern-mariana-islands-0-9-palestine |url-status=live }} Despite already being eliminated following their initial two defeats, the Blue Ayuyus defense performed well in their final game, despite losing 4–0 to Bangladesh, the team managed to keep the scoreline respectable with the result flattering Bangladesh as they scored two very late goals.{{cite web |url=http://www.the-afc.com/afc-challenge-cup-2014-northern-mariana-islands-bangladesh/bangladesh-4-0-northern-mariana-islands |title=Bangladesh 4–0 Northern Mariana Islands |author= |date=6 March 2013 |website=the-afc.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=23 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923144645/http://www.the-afc.com/afc-challenge-cup-2014-northern-mariana-islands-bangladesh/bangladesh-4-0-northern-mariana-islands |url-status=live }}

2014 saw a return to EAFF Cup qualifying for the fourth time, drawn again in a qualifying group containing the weakest four nations in terms of ranking: Guam, Mongolia and Macau.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eastasia2015.html |title=East Asian Championship 2015 |last1=Di Maggio |first1=Roberto |date=20 August 2015 |website=RSSSF |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=11 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811134900/https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eastasia2015.html |url-status=live }} Following an initial 4–0 loss to Mongolia, on 23 July 2014, the Northern Mariana Islands recorded their first ever international win in a match against Macau. Nicolas Swaim and Kirk Schuler scored to beat Macau, 2–1.{{cite news|last1=Monroyo|first1=Roselyn|title=Blue Ayuyus earn historic victory|url=http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/blue-ayuyus-earn-historic-victory/|access-date=19 February 2016|newspaper=Saipan Tribune|date=24 July 2014|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924093752/http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/blue-ayuyus-earn-historic-victory/|url-status=live}} Following the historic victory, the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association held a celebratory dinner in honour of the team's victory.{{cite web |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/blue-ayuyus-reflect-historic-win/ |title=Blue Ayuyus reflect on historic win |last1=Monroyo |first1=Roselyn |date=11 August 2014 |website=saipantribune.com |publisher=Saipan Tribune |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=12 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512061324/http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/blue-ayuyus-reflect-historic-win/ |url-status=live }} Younger players commented to national media about how proud they were to be a part of the victory, while older players reflected on how their first matches consisted of a team of veteran players trying to achieve a respectable result and that the victory was the result of years of hard work behind the scenes. Unfortunately, the team was not able to carry this momentum into their final game and again lost to Guam, this time 5–0. They were again eliminated at the first hurdle.

No further international matches were played until the 2017 EAFF East Asian Cup qualifying competition. During the send off to the competition, Ralph Torres, the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands committed to the team that the government would provide a new pitch in Koblerville, the ground breaking for which it took place in October 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/blue-ayuyus-ready/ |title=Blue Ayuyus: We are ready! |last1=Monroyo |first1=Roselyn |date=28 June 2016 |website=saipantribune.com |publisher=Saipan Tribune |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=29 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629160750/http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/blue-ayuyus-ready/ |url-status=live }} The team was not able to repeat the comparative successes of the previous qualifying campaign however, losing all three games and being eliminated at the first stage again. the team lost their first match against Chinese Taipei 8–1, a result made all the more easy for their opponents once striker Joe Wang Miller was sent off for a second yellow card in added time at the end of the first half.{{cite web |url=https://eaff.com/competitions/eaff2017r1/result203.html |title=Chinese Taipei 8–1 Northern Mariana Islands |author= |date=30 June 2016 |website=eaff.com |publisher=East Asian Football Federation |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-date=22 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822003527/https://eaff.com/competitions/eaff2017r1/result203.html |url-status=live }} A second loss followed against Macau, 3–1{{cite web |url=https://eaff.com/competitions/eaff2019r1/result709.html |title=Northern Mariana Islands 1-1 Macau |author= |date=6 September 2018 |website=eaff.com |publisher=East Asian Football Federation |access-date=6 September 2018 |archive-date=6 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906124526/https://eaff.com/competitions/eaff2019r1/result709.html |url-status=live }} before the campaign was rounded out with a third loss, 8–0, to Mongolia.{{cite web |url=https://eaff.com/competitions/eaff2019r1/result706.html |title=Mongolia 9–0 Northern Mariana Islands |author= |date=4 September 2018 |website=eaff.com |publisher=East Asian Football Federation |access-date=6 September 2018 |archive-date=4 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904192235/https://eaff.com/competitions/eaff2019r1/result706.html |url-status=live }} The team were not aided in their qualifying campaign by a pre-tournament training camp in the Philippines which saw a large number of the squad taken ill. The team played three friendly matches against club sides. Prior to their second match, five of the squad were in hospital and a further five or six were recovering from a bacterial infection that had struck the squad. Nonetheless, they fulfilled all three matches. The results of the first two were not released, but the final match was a 5–1 loss to Kaya.

On 9 December 2020 during the 30th AFC Congress, the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association (NMIFA) became the 47th full AFC member association.{{cite web | url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/about_afc/afc_congress/afc_congress_2020/news/afc_congress_approves_nmifa%E2%80%99s_membership.html | title=AFC Congress approves NMIFA's membership | publisher=Asian Football Confederation | date=9 December 2020 | access-date=9 December 2020 | archive-date=25 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925065045/https://www.the-afc.com/en/about_afc/afc_congress/afc_congress_2020/news/afc_congress_approves_nmifa%E2%80%99s_membership.html | url-status=live }} FIFA Head of Member Association (MA) Governance, Rolf Tanner, announced at the 11th Northern Mariana Islands Football Association Ordinary Congress on 29 October 2021 that the global football governing organization received the islands' application for membership.{{cite web |title=FIFA, AFC reps observe NMIFA Congress |url=https://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/fifa-afc-reps-observe-nmifa-congress/ |access-date=10 February 2022 |website=The Saipan Tribune |date=4 November 2021 |archive-date=15 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415183024/https://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/fifa-afc-reps-observe-nmifa-congress/ |url-status=live }}

Northern Mariana Islands would then have competed in their first-ever 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification playoff round,{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/afc_competitions/news/afc_competitions_committee_approves_key_decisions_on_reformatted_competitions_1.html|title=AFC Competitions Committee approves key decisions on reformatted competitions|publisher=AFC|date=1 July 2023|access-date=2 July 2023}} but the AFC excluded them from the draw.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/news/six_teams_to_contest_qualifiers_playoff_for_saudi_arabia_2027.html|title=Six teams to contest Qualifiers Playoff for Saudi Arabia 2027|publisher=AFC|date=2 May 2024|access-date=2 May 2024}}

The Northern Mariana Islands competed in football at the Pacific Games for the first time in the 2023 edition of the tournament. The team was drawn into Group C along with Tahiti and Fiji. These matches would be the first time ever competing against Pacific island nations that are members of the Oceania Football Confederation.{{cite web |title=NMI looks forward to challenging football teams in Pacific | date=14 November 2023 |url=https://www.saipantribune.com/sports/nmi-looks-forward-to-challenging-football-teams-in-pacific/article_91c42cc6-8217-11ee-aee3-3b1cac77ec4d.html#:~:text=NMI%20will%20make%20its%20historic,against%20Tahiti%20on%20Nov.%2024. |publisher=Saipan Tribune |access-date=16 November 2023}} On 27 November 2023, Northern Mariana Islands records their second victory against FIFA-Affiliated team by winning 4-0 against American Samoa. The result was also the team's first-ever victory in the Pacific Games. Captain Jireh Yobech scored the team's first-ever goal in the regional tournament.{{cite web |title=Northern Marianas record first ever Pacific Games football win |url=https://sol2023.gems.pro/Result/Event_PO_T_T.aspx?Event_GUID=a4349bd5-895b-4e2b-9ee1-fb0d67aa97a5&SetLanguage=en-GB&Gems_ScreenWidth=1920&Gems_ScreenHeight=1080&Gems_ScreenAvailWidth=1920&Gems_ScreenAvailHeight=1040 |publisher=Solomon Islands 2023 |access-date=27 November 2023}}

{{main|Oleai Sports Complex}}

The Northern Mariana Islands play their home matches at the Oleai Sports Complex, a multi-use stadium in Saipan. It is currently used mostly for football matches and has a capacity of 2,000 people.{{cite web |url=http://www.worldstadia.com/stadium/northern%20mariana%20islands/oleai_sports_complex/7189.php?PHPSESSID=6585ec3f390bc21eaa05e6150589326d |title=Details for Oleai Sports Complex, Saipan |author= |website=worldstadia.com |access-date=6 July 2016 |archive-date=28 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080328134525/http://www.worldstadia.com/stadium/northern%20mariana%20islands/oleai_sports_complex/7189.php |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/teams/northern-mariana-islands/northern-mariana-islands/venue/ |title=Northern Marianas Islands: venue |author= |website=soccerway.com |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=6 July 2016 |archive-date=25 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025164946/https://int.soccerway.com/teams/northern-mariana-islands/northern-mariana-islands/venue/ |url-status=live }} The surface is grass with an athletics track around the perimeter.[http://www.mvariety.com/2010123033091/local-sports/oleai-soccer-field-undergoes-maintenance.php Oleai soccer field undergoes maintenance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217033621/http://www.mvariety.com/2010123033091/local-sports/oleai-soccer-field-undergoes-maintenance.php |date=17 December 2019 }}, Marianas Variety. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 23 May 2011.

The Northern Mariana Islands current home kit is all sky blue shirts, shorts and socks, with a white pattern on the shirt.{{cite web |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/cnmi-plays-better-versus-china/ |title=CNMI plays better versus China |last1=Monroyo |first1=Roselyn |date=20 May 2016 |website=saipantribune.com |publisher=Saipan Tribune |access-date=13 July 2016 |archive-date=12 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512063214/http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/cnmi-plays-better-versus-china/ |url-status=live }} Their away kit is the mirror image of this, all white shirts, shorts and socks with the pattern on the shirt in sky blue.{{cite web |url=http://www.mvariety.com/cnmi/cnmi-news/sports/87438-macau-men-beat-nmi-3-1 |title=Macau Men beat NMI, 3–1 |last1=Saban |first1=James |date=5 July 2016 |website=mvariety.com |publisher=Marianas Variety |access-date=13 July 2016 |archive-date=10 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510150419/http://www.mvariety.com/cnmi/cnmi-news/sports/87438-macau-men-beat-nmi-3-1 |url-status=live }}

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Home

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Away

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The Northern Mariana Islands men's national football team shares the same logo as the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association. The logo consists of three elements in addition to the name of the federation. In the background is a Latte stone, a pillar (Chamorro language: haligi) capped by a hemispherical stone capital (tasa) with the flat side facing up. Used as building supports by the ancient Chamorro people, they are found throughout most of the Mariana Islands. In modern times, the latte stone is seen as a sign of Chamorro identity and is used in many different contexts.{{cite web |url=http://www.guampedia.com/contents-of-a-latte-village/ |title=Contents of a Latte Village: An Interpretive Essay |last1=Craib |first1=John L. |website=guampedia.com |date=29 September 2009 |publisher=Guampedia |access-date=13 July 2016 |archive-date=14 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914121326/http://www.guampedia.com/contents-of-a-latte-village/ |url-status=live }} Overlaid on this is a football and overlaid again on this is a two-tone wave mirroring the colours of the national flag.

The team is nicknamed the "Blue Ayuyu".{{cite web |url=http://www.mvariety.com/cnmi/cnmi-news/sports/87263-blue-ayuyu-returns-home-empty-handed-players-fall-ill |title=Blue Ayuyu returns home empty handed, players fall ill |last1=Sablan |first1=James |date=28 June 2016 |website=mvariety.com |publisher=Marianas Variety |access-date=13 July 2016 |archive-date=15 September 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170915152442/http://www.mvariety.com/cnmi/cnmi-news/sports/87263-blue-ayuyu-returns-home-empty-handed-players-fall-ill |url-status=live }} The Ayuyu is the name given in the Mariana Islands to the Coconut crab,{{cite web |url=http://www.buzzle.com/articles/a-giant-spider-that-can-crack-a-coconut-no-its-a-crab.html |title=A giant spider that can crack a coconut? No, it's a crab! |access-date=15 April 2009 |first=Linda |last=Orlando |publisher=Buzzle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919045006/http://www.buzzle.com/articles/a-giant-spider-that-can-crack-a-coconut-no-its-a-crab.html |archive-date=19 September 2015 |url-status=usurped }} also known as the Robber crab.{{Cite iucn | author = L. G. Eldredge | title = Birgus latro | volume = 1996 | page = e.T2811A9484078 | date = 1996 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T2811A9484078.en }}

{{Main|Northern Mariana Islands 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 = 2024 Marianas Cup

|date = April 6

|time = {{UTZ||11}}

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

|score = 2–2

|team2 = {{fb|GUM}}

|goals1 =

• M. Toves {{goal|8}}
• ??? {{goal|71|o.g.}}

|goals2 =

• Manibusan {{goal|48}}
• Stenson {{goal|60}}

|stadium = NMI Training Center

|location = Koblerville, Northern Mariana Islands

|attendance =

|referee =

|report = https://www.mvariety.com/sports/localsports/nmi-men-edge-guam-2-1/article_3a90fa10-f5ad-11ee-9446-c386f4818a14.html

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|format = 1

|round = 2024 Marianas Cup

|date = April 7

|time = {{UTZ||11}}

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

|score = 2–1

|team2 = {{fb|GUM}}

|goals1 =

• Narvaez Jr. {{goal|6}}
• Lizama {{goal|68}}

|goals2 =

• Harmon {{goal|74}}

|stadium = NMI Training Center

|location = Koblerville, Northern Mariana Islands

|attendance =

|referee =

|report = https://www.mvariety.com/sports/localsports/nmi-men-edge-guam-2-1/article_3a90fa10-f5ad-11ee-9446-c386f4818a14.html

|result = W

}}

:{{updated|10 April 2022}}

The following players were called up for the 2024 Marianas Cup.{{cite web |title=Match report |url=https://sol2023.gems.pro/gems_local/Temp/ScoreSheet_42376e5c-8f46-47d3-897a-142db954d241_20231118113632937.pdf |website=OFC}}

Caps and goals are correct as of 7 April 2024, after the match against Guam.

{{nat fs g start}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=1|pos=GK|name=Christopher Aninzo|age={{birth date and age|2000|1|6|df=y}}|caps=6|goals=0|club={{flagicon|NMI}} MP United}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=12|pos=GK|name=John Bucayo|age={{birth date and age|2001|3|10|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club={{flagicon|NMI}} MP United}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=25|pos=GK|name=Toves Merrick|age={{birth date and age|2004|12|1|df=y}}|caps=4|goals=0|club={{flagicon|NMI}} Kanoa}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=2|pos=DF|name=Kohtaro Goto|age={{birth date and age|2004|5|23|df=y}}|caps=2|goals=0|club={{flagicon|USA}} Park University}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=3|pos=DF|name=Jerald Aquino|age={{birth date and age|2004|10|25|df=y}}|caps=5|goals=0|club={{flagicon|PHI}} Tuloy}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=4|pos=DF|name=Ocanada Ronnel|age={{birth date and age|2001|2|26|df=y}}|caps=6|goals=0|club={{flagicon|NMI}} MP United}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=5|pos=DF|name=Jehn Joyner|age={{birth date and age|1997|10|9|df=y}}|caps=10|goals=0|club={{flagicon|GUM}} Bank of Guam Strykers}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=6|pos=DF|name=Lucas Knecht|age={{birth date and age|1993|3|30|df=y}}|caps=11|goals=0|club={{flagicon|USA}} Georgia Southwestern State University}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=14|pos=DF|name=Enrico del Rosario|age={{birth date and age|1997|3|21|df=y}}|caps=6|goals=0|club={{flagicon|USA}} Northern Kentucky Nitro}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=16|pos=DF|name=Dai Podziewski|age={{birth date and age|2001|8|31|df=y}}|caps=2|goals=0|club={{flagicon|USA}} Suffolk University}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=20|pos=DF|name=Euly Ermitanio|age={{birth date and age|2000|3|30|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club={{flagicon|GUM}} University of Guam}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=21|pos=DF|name=Jeremiah Diaz|age={{birth date and age|2004|1|12|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club={{flagicon|USA}} Park University}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=7|pos=MF|name=Anthony Fruit|age={{birth date and age|2001|1|10|df=y}}|caps=2|goals=0|club={{flagicon|GER}} SG Aumund-Vegesack}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=8|pos=MF|name=Michael Barry|age={{birth date and age|1995|11|10|df=y}}|caps=10|goals=0|club={{flagicon|USA}} Saint Leo University}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=10|pos=MF|name=Ryu Tanzawa|age={{birth date and age|1998|3|4|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club={{flagicon|JPN}} Nihon University}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=13|pos=MF|name=Jireh Yobech|age={{birth date and age|1996|7|8|df=y}}|caps=12|goals=1|club={{flagicon|NMI}} Inter Godfather's}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=17|pos=MF|name=Ariel Narvaez Jr.|age=unknown|caps=5|goals=1|club={{flagicon|NMI}} Eleven Tiger}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=18|pos=MF|name=Dev Bachani|age={{birth date and age|2005|5|4|df=y}}|caps=6|goals=0|club={{flagicon|PHL}} Tuloy}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=25|pos=MF|name=Markus Toves|age= {{birth date and age|2007|5|27|df=yes}} |caps=6|goals=2|club={{flagicon|NMI}} Kanoa}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=9|pos=FW|name=Nolan Ngewakl|age={{birth date and age|2008|7|8|df=y}}|caps=4|goals=1|club={{flagicon|NMI}} Latte}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=11|pos=FW|name=Taka Borja|age={{birth date and age|2003|11|20|df=y}}|caps=2|goals=1|club={{flagicon|NMI}} Teen Ayuyu}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=15|pos=FW|name=Sunjoon Tenorio|age={{birth date and age|2001|5|20|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=1|club={{flagicon|USA}} Warner Pacific Knights}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=19|pos=FW|name=Michah Griffin|age={{birth date and age|1997|10|26|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=1|club={{flagicon|NMI}} MP United}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=22|pos=FW|name=Ruben Guerrero|age=unknown|caps=4|goals=2|club={{flagicon|NMI}} Kanoa}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=23|pos=FW|name=Richard Steele|age={{birth date and age|2004|3|30|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club={{flagicon|USA}} Park–Gilbert Buccaneers}}

{{National football squad player (goals)|no=24|pos=FW|name=Joe Wang Miller|age={{birth date and age|1989|2|3|df=y}}|caps=17|goals=4|club={{flagicon|GUM}} Guam Shipyard}}

{{nat fs end}}

{{Updated|22 December 2024}}

:Players in bold are still active with Northern Mariana Islands.

Statistically, the Northern Mariana Islands have given senior international debuts in competitive matches to a larger number of very young players, those under 16 years of age, and more caps to veteran players, those over the age of forty, than any other nation.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/oldest-youngest.html |title=Oldest and Youngest Players and Goal-scorers in International Football |last1=Morrison |first1=Neil |last2=Gandini |first2=Luca |last3=Villante |first3=Eric |date=4 February 2016 |website=RSSSF |access-date=6 July 2016 |archive-date=26 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726065645/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/oldest-youngest.html |url-status=live }}

Of the nine players globally who have made their international debuts before their fifteenth birthdays, three of them are from the Northern Mariana Islands. Both Joel Fruit and Kennedy Izuka made their international debuts in the 8–0 friendly loss to Guam in 2012. Izuka was aged 14 years and 242 days and is the seventh youngest debutant in history, while Fruit was the younger at 14 years and 177 days, the fourth youngest player recorded. However, Lucas Knecht featured for the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association on 1 April 2007 in an East Asian Football Federation Championship Qualifier, again versus Guam. Knecht was 14 years and 2 days old at the time making him the youngest male player to ever appear in an international match, 91 days younger than the previous record holder, Myanmar player Aung Kyaw Tun. In addition to the three fourteen year old debutants, three other players: Enrico del Rosario, Jehn Joyner and Scott Kim all made their debut prior to their sixteenth birthdays.

Note: It is possible that Michael Barry may also have made a senior international appearance in the teams 1–1 Marianas Cup match against Guam in 2010 aged 14 years and 251 days, which would make him the eighth youngest debutant in history. However, although it is known that he was named in the match squad, it is not known whether he actually played in the game.

In addition to being the national team to have given the most senior team debuts to under sixteen players, they are also the team to have given the most international caps to players aged over 40, of the 88 players confirmed to have played an international football match after their fortieth birthdays, 11 of them are from the Northern Mariana Islands. Of these players Wesley Bogdan is the nation's current oldest player when he made his first senior international appearance in 2007 EAFF Championship qualifying match against Guam aged 48 years and 243 days. Only two players have made international appearances at an older age: Greek midfielder Giorgos Koudas, who played in a 2–0 defeat to Yugoslavia in 1995 aged 48 years and 301 days and Barrie Dewsbury, who played in Sark's 16–0 loss to Greenland at the 2003 Island Games aged 52 years and 11 days.

The Northern Mariana Islands have only entered three formal international competitions, the AFC Challenge Cup, the EAFF East Asian Championship and the Micronesian Games. As non-FIFA members seeking admission, they are not yet entitled to enter the FIFA World Cup. The Marianas Cup is not noted as a separate competition in this section as it is the name given to a perennial trophy contested each time the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam meet.

The team were eligible to enter the AFC Asian Cup through the AFC Challenge Cup from 2011. However, they did not enter the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup so they did not qualify. In failing to qualify for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup, they also failed to qualify for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

{{smaller|**: As the first two rounds of qualifying for the 2019 and 2023 AFC Asian Cups were also the first two rounds of qualifying for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, the Northern Mariana Islands were ineligible. Starting with the qualifying playoff round of the 2027 Asian Cup, they are allowed to qualify for the Asian Cup only.}}

Having been accepted as an associate member in 2009, the Blue Ayuyus attempted to qualify for the AFC Challenge Cup once, in 2013. They were unsuccessful in qualification, losing all three matches without scoring a goal. The AFC Challenge Cup was discontinued by the AFC, with all nations now entering qualifying for the Asian Cup due to the expansion of the Asian Cup to the 24-nation format from the 16-nation one after the 2015 edition.{{cite web|url=http://www.the-afc.com/en/about-afc/afc-departments/competitions-division/27547-revamp-of-afc-competitions.html |title=Revamp of AFC competitions |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |date=25 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203183006/http://www.the-afc.com/en/about-afc/afc-departments/competitions-division/27547-revamp-of-afc-competitions.html |archive-date=3 February 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.the-afc.com/en/about-afc/afc-committees/1127-executive-committee/28166-exco-approves-expanded-afc-asian-cup-finals.html |title=ExCo approves expanded AFC Asian Cup finals |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |date=16 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416175644/http://www.the-afc.com/en/about-afc/afc-committees/1127-executive-committee/28166-exco-approves-expanded-afc-asian-cup-finals.html |archive-date=16 April 2014 }}

The EAFF E-1 Football Championship is the primary source of competitive football for the Northern Mariana Islands since they reemerged onto the international scene and were accepted as a member of the EAFF. They have attempted to qualify for each edition of the EAFF E-1 Championship since they were admitted to the federation, each time without success.

Micronesia made their international debut at the 1998 Micronesia Games, though the tournament was not a formal part of the games, merely an exhibition. The formal name of the football tournament was the W.C.T.C. Shell Soccer Exhibition. The team were successful, winning the tournament, but have not entered since, although football has only sporadically been included in the games program.

:*Denotes draws includes knockout matches decided on penalty kicks. Red border indicates that the tournament was hosted on home soil. Gold, silver, bronze backgrounds indicates 1st, 2nd and 3rd finishes respectively. Bold text indicates best finish in tournament.

{{small|Remembering that only the tournaments that the senior national teams participated are counted.}}

The Northern Mariana Islands, although a member of the East Asian Football Federation are not members of FIFA and so are not ranked. Additionally, although full members of the AFC, they have yet to be included on their ranking list of member associations.

The islands have been seeking FIFA membership since October 2021.

{{Image frame

| caption=Northern Mariana Islands National Football Team Historic Elo Ratings.

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| y=214, 218, 219, 220, 221, 221, 221, 221, 220, 227, 228, 229, 231, 231, 235, 235, 237, 238, 238, 238, 238, 238, 238, 238, 238

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The team has steadily fallen down the Elo ratings since their first official game against international opposition versus Guam in the 1998 Micronesian Games, from a starting point of 214 to their current position of 238.{{cite web|url=http://www.eloratings.net/Northern_Mariana_Islands|title=World Football Elo Ratings: Northern Mariana Islands|publisher=World Football Elo Ratings|access-date=25 March 2021|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016121951/http://www.eloratings.net/Northern_Mariana_Islands|url-status=live}} This is in part due to performance that has seen them gain only one win and one draw since their reemergence on the international scene in 2007 and part due to the fact that they have always been at or near the bottom of the rankings in a period where a number of new competing nations have emerged. Currently their ranking of 238 confirms their status as one of the world's worst senior international football teams.{{cite web|url=http://www.eloratings.net/|title=World Football Elo Ratings|date=25 March 2021|publisher=World Football Elo Ratings web site and Advanced Satellite Consulting|access-date=25 March 2021|archive-date=2 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702073800/http://www.eloratings.net/|url-status=live}} They are ranked directly below their fellow non-FIFA teams of Kiribati and Tibet but above Palau, though this is perhaps somewhat skewed by the fact that all three of these teams are essentially in hibernation having not competed internationally for a number of years. The nearest FIFA affiliated team to them is Eastern (American) Samoa, who are ranked 237th.

{{#lst:Northern Mariana Islands national football team results|Record by opponent}}

{{asof|2021|post=,}} the Northern Mariana Islands have won one competition:

• 1998 Micronesian Games: 1st (according to AFC website profile, Guam is champion instead of Northern Mariana Islands.)
• 2010 Marianas Cup (shared)

{{portal|Association football}}

• Northern Mariana Islands women's national football team
• Northern Mariana Islands national under-18 football team

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.nmifa.com/ Official NMIFA website]
• [https://www.the-afc.com/en/east/northern_mariana_islands.html Northern Mariana Islands] at AFC
• [https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/NMI Northern Mariana Islands] at FIFA

{{Northern Mariana Islands national football team managers}}

{{Football in the Northern Mariana Islands}}

{{EAFF teams}}

{{AFC teams}}

{{OFC teams}}

{{National sports teams of the Northern Mariana Islands}}

Category:Asian national association football teams