Papua New Guinea national soccer team

The Papuan national team played its first match at the 1963 South Pacific Games, where it fell to Fiji 3-1 and was eliminated. At the 1966 South Pacific Games they reached the third place match but lost to the New Hebrides. Three years later they reached the same stage, and defeated the Fijian team 2-1 to win the bronze medal.

At 1971 South Pacific Games, after losing in the semi-finals to New Caledonia, they were beaten 8-1 by Tahiti in the third place game. Four years later, at the 1975 Games, they were beaten in the group stage by Tahiti and New Caledonia and thus eliminated in the first round.

At the 1979 South Pacific Games they lost in the quarter-finals 3–2 against the Solomon Islands, and in the first phase of the consolation tournament they were beaten 2–0 at the hands of the New Hebrides. The following year they played in the 1980 Oceania Cup, the precursor to the OFC Nations Cup, where despite beating the New Hebrides team, their losses to Australia and New Caledonia left them out at the first phase.

At 1983 South Pacific Games they lost the match for third place against the New Caledonian team. In the 1987 edition they won the bronze medal again by beating Vanuatu 3-1. Even so, in the two subsequent editions, 1991 and 1995, they were eliminated in the first phase.

After an absence in three editions of the OFC Nations Cup, due to the poor results obtained in the Melanesia Cup, they qualified for the 2002 tournament. They were only able to salvage a point in a 0-0 draw against the Solomon Islands and bowed out in the first round. In 2003 South Pacific Games they had a poor performance and in five games only obtained four points.

After not participating in 2007, which served as qualification for the 2008 OFC Nations Cup, they were eliminated in the first phase at 2011 Pacific Games by having worse goal difference than Tahiti, with whom they tied on points. In the 2012 OFC Nations Cup they drew with Fiji and lost to the Solomon Islands and New Zealand, again being eliminated in the group stage.

===2013–present===

File:Alwin Komolong.jpg played numerous football matches for Papua New Guinea]]

In 2015, Papua New Guinea was designated to host the 2016 OFC Nations Cup. In the group stage, the Papuan team drew 1–1 with New Caledonia, 2–2 against Tahiti and beat Samoa 8–0. After achieving victory in the semi-finals, 2–1 against the Solomon Islands, they lost on penalties to New Zealand in the final after drawing 0–0 in regulation time. On 20 June 2023, Papua New Guinea suffered their worst defeat in their history losing to Malaysia 10–0 at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium.

In 2024, Papua New Guinea played their first ever tournament outside Oceania where FIFA invited them to the 2024 FIFA Series matches on from 22 to 25 March 2024 held in Colombo where they would face Sri Lanka and Central African Republic.

{{Main|Papua New Guinea national soccer 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 FIFA World Series

| date = 22 March

| time = 20:45 UTC+5:30

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

| score = 0–0

| report = https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/506/289392/289393/400017939

| team2 = {{fb|PNG}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = Colombo Racecourse

| location = Colombo, Sri Lanka

| attendance = 5,089

| referee = Meshari Ali Al Shammari (Qatar)

| result = d

}}

{{football box collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2024 FIFA World Series

| date = 25 March

| time = 15:00 UTC+5:30

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

| score = 4–0

| report = https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/506/289392/289393/400017941

| team2 = {{fb|PNG}}

| goals1 =

• Yawanendji-Malipangou {{goal|11}}
• Godame {{goal|25||43||78}}

| goals2 =

| stadium = Colombo Racecourse

| location = Colombo, Sri Lanka

| attendance = 550

| referee = Hettikamkanamge Perera (Sri Lanka)

| result = L

}}

{{football box collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2024 OFC Nations Cup

| date = 16 June

| time =

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

| score = 1–5

| report =

| team2 = {{fb|FIJ}}

| goals1 =

• Semmy {{goal|88}}

|goals2 =

• Begg {{goal|2}}
• Dunn {{goal|43||52}}
• A. Komolong {{goal|55|o.g.}}
• Krishna {{goal|64}}

| stadium = Luganville Soccer Stadium

| location = Luganville, Vanuatu

| attendance = 1,700

|referee = Calvin Berg (New Zealand)

| result = l

}}

{{football box collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2024 OFC Nations Cup

| date = 19 June

| time =

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

| score = 1–1

| report =

| team2 = {{fb|TAH}}

| goals1 =

• Paul {{goal|25}}

|goals2 =

• Degrumelle {{goal|15}}

| stadium = Luganville Soccer Stadium

| location = Luganville, Vanuatu

| attendance = 500

|referee = Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand)

| result = d

}}

{{football box collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2024 OFC Nations Cup

| date = 22 June

| time =

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

| score = 1–2

| report =

| team2 = {{fb|PNG}}

| goals1 =

• Trainor {{goal|67}}

|goals2 =

• Semmy {{goal|26}}
• Kepo {{goal|47}}

| stadium = Luganville Soccer Stadium

| location = Luganville, Vanuatu

| attendance =

| referee =

| result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

| date = 10 October

| time = {{UTZ|16:00|+12}}

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

| score = 3–1

| report = [https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288319/288320/400018596 Report (FIFA)]
[https://www.oceaniafootball.com/new-caledonia-make-perfect-start-to-qualifying-campaign/ Report (OFC)]

| team2 = {{fb|PNG}}

| goals1 =

• Athale {{goal|20|pen.}}
• Gope-Fenepej {{goal|45}}
• Haewegene {{goal|83}}

| goals2 = Semmy {{goal|78}}

| stadium = HFC Bank Stadium

| location = Suva, Fiji

| attendance = 1,000

| referee = Campbell-Kirk Waugh (New Zealand)

| result = L

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| format=1

| round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

| date = 14 November

| time = {{UTZ|16:00|10}}

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

| score = 3–3

| report = https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288319/288320/400018599

| team2 = {{fb|FIJ}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = PNG Football Stadium

| location = Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

| attendance = 1,428

| referee = Matthew Conger (New Zealand)

| result = D

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| format=1

| round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

| date = 17 November

| time = {{UTZ|16:00|10}}

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

| score = 1–2

| report = https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288319/288320/400018600

| team2 = {{fb|SOL}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = PNG Football Stadium

| location = Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

| attendance = 1,284

| referee = Campbell-Kirk Waugh (New Zealand)

| result = L

}}

{{football box collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2024 MSG Prime Minister's Cup

| date = 12 December

| time = {{UTZ|15:00|+11}}

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

| score = 2-3

| report =

| team2 = {{fb|PNG}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = Lawson Tama Stadium

| location = Honiara, Solomon Islands

| attendance =

| referee =

| result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2024 MSG Prime Minister's Cup

| date = 15 December

| time = {{UTZ|15:00|+11}}

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

| score = 1-0

| report =

| team2 = {{fb|SOL|name=Solomon Islands B}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = Lawson Tama Stadium

| location = Honiara, Solomon Islands

| attendance =

| referee =

| result = W

}}

{{div col|colwidth=17em}}

• {{flagicon|PNG}} Richard Tamari Nagai (1996–1998)
• {{flagicon|PNG}} John Davani (2002)
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Steve Cain (2002)
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Ludwig Peka (2003–2004)
• {{flagicon|BRA}} Marcos Gusmão (2004–2011)
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Frank Farina (2011–2013)
• {{flagicon|USA}} Mike Keeney (2013)
• {{flagicon|NZL}} Wynton Rufer (2014–2015)
• {{flagicon|DEN}} Flemming Serritslev (2015–2018)
• {{flagicon|PNG}} Bob Morris (2019–2021)
• {{flagicon|BRA}} Marcos Gusmão (2021–2022)
• {{flagicon|ARG}} Santiago Marina (2022–2023)
• {{flagicon|AUS}} Warren Moon (2023–present)

{{div col end}}

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification against {{fb|FIJ}} on 14 November 2024 and against {{fb|SOL}} on 17 November 2024.{{cite web|title=Squad Announcement|url=https://www.facebook.com/pngfa2020/posts/pfbid0ETzLRarVUwYMQ6pwfu4j2kpwXjssEwuGebTwik4z77SyTsfVcBCjzeoHfKfTZ7B9l|website=Facebook|publisher=Papua New Guinea Football Association|date=8 November 2024}}

Caps and goals correct as of 17 November 2024, after the match against {{fb|SOL}}.

{{nat fs g start}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=GK|name=Dave Tomare|age={{bda|1997|4|26|df=y}}|caps=5|goals=0|club=Hekari United|clubnat=PNG}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=GK|name=Charles Lepani|age={{Birth date and age|1994|8|20|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Lae City|clubnat=Papua New Guinea}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=GK|name=Christinus Biasu|age={{bda|1995|6|2|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Hekari United|clubnat=PNG}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=Daniel Joe|age={{bda|1990|5|29|df=y}}|caps=37|goals=0|club=Hekari United|clubnat=PNG}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=Alwin Komolong|age={{bda|1994|11|2|df=y}}|caps=30|goals=2|club=Queensland Lions|clubnat=AUS}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=Kolu Kepo|age={{bda|1993|7|15|df=y}}|caps=24|goals=3|club=Hekari United|clubnat=Papua New Guinea}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=Joshua Talau|age={{Birth date and age|1996|4|19|df=y}}|caps=9|goals=0|club=Lae City|clubnat=Papua New Guinea}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=Nathaniel Eddie|age=unknown|caps=3|goals=0|club=Hekari United|clubnat=PNG}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=Arol Tateng|age={{bda|1997|4|5|df=y}}|caps=2|goals=0|club=Southern Strikers|clubnat=PNG}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=Derek Kimai|age=unknown|caps=2|goals=0|club=|clubnat=}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=Rex Naime|age={{bda|2003|10|23|df=y}}|caps=11|goals=0|club=Hekari United|clubnat=PNG}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=Simon Oberth|age={{bda|2001|1|1|df=y}}|caps=10|goals=0|club=Hekari United|clubnat=PNG}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=Joseph Joe|age={{bda|2002|6|14|df=y}}|caps=7|goals=1|club=Hekari United|clubnat=PNG}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=Solomon Rani|age={{bda|2002|5|22|df=y}}|caps=5|goals=0|club=Hekari United|clubnat=PNG}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=Shane Sakael|age={{bda|1992|12|31|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=Hekari United|clubnat=PNG}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=Juduh Asar|age=unknown|caps=2|goals=0|club=|clubnat=}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=Ritzoki Tamgol|age=unknown|caps=2|goals=0|club=Port Moresby|clubnat=PNG}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=Chappy Upaiga|age=unknown|caps=0|goals=0|club=|clubnat=}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=Ethan Mom|age=unknown|caps=0|goals=0|club=|clubnat=}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=FW|name=Raymond Gunemba|age={{Birth date and age|1986|6|4|df=y}}|caps=34|goals=15|club=Lae City|clubnat=PNG}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=FW|name=Tommy Semmy|age={{bda|1994|9|30|df=y}}|caps=28|goals=11|club=Geelong|clubnat=AUS}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=FW|name=Ati Kepo|age={{bda|1996|1|15|df=y}}|caps=24|goals=8|club=Hekari United|clubnat=PNG}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=FW|name=Logan Biwa|age=unknown|caps=1|goals=0|club=|clubnat=}}

{{nat fs end}}

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

{{nat fs r start}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=GK|name=Ronald Warisan|age={{bda|1989|9|20|df=y}}|caps=34|goals=0|club=Lae City|clubnat=PNG|latest=v. {{fb|NCL}}, 10 October 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=GK|name=Vagi Koniel|age={{bda|1996|10|26|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Southern Strikers|clubnat=PNG|latest=2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup}}

{{nat fs break|background=#000000}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Godfrey Haro|age={{bda|1998|6|30|df=y}}|caps=12|goals=0|club=Hekari United|clubnat=Papua New Guinea|latest=v. {{fb|NCL}}, 10 October 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Felix Komolong|age={{bda|1997|3|6|df=y}}|caps=25|goals=0|club=Lae City|clubnat=PNG|latest=2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Lennard Atterwell|age={{bda|2005|11|21|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Brisbane Roar|clubnat=AUS|latest=2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Raymon Diho|age={{bda|2007|1|1|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=North Geelong Warriors|clubnat=AUS|latest=2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Philip Steven|age={{Birth date and age|1995|1|19|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=Port Moresby|clubnat=Papua New Guinea|latest=2024 FIFA Series}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Joseph Waiwai|age={{bda|2001|3|7|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Port Moresby Strikers|clubnat=PNG|latest=2024 FIFA Series}}

{{nat fs break|background=#000000}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Emmanuel Simon|age={{bda|1992|12|25|df=y}}|caps=38|goals=4|club=Lae City|clubnat=PNG|latest=v. {{fb|NCL}}, 10 October 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Yagi Yasasa|age={{bda|2000|8|17|df=y}}|caps=17|goals=0|club=Hekari United|clubnat=PNG|latest=v. {{fb|NCL}}, 10 October 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Kenneth Arah|age={{bda|1996|1|15|df=y}}|caps=5|goals=0|club=Gulf Komara|clubnat=PNG|latest=v. {{fb|NCL}}, 10 October 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Bruce Tiampo|age={{bda|2002|7|25|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=Lae City|clubnat=PNG|latest=v. {{fb|NCL}}, 10 October 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Pala Paul|age={{bda|1999|7|25|df=y}}|caps=8|goals=1|club=Southern Strikers|clubnat=PNG|latest=2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Troy Dobbin|age={{bda|2001|9|24|df=y}}|caps=6|goals=0|club=Queensland Lions|clubnat=AUS|latest=2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Lee-Navu Faunt|age={{Birth date and age|2003|5|4|df=y}}|caps=5|goals=0|club=Redlands United|clubnat=AUS|latest=2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Jethro Yumange|age={{bda|2002|3|10|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=River Light|clubnat=USA|latest=2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Nigel Dabinyaba|age={{bda|1992|10|26|df=y}}|caps=19|goals=11|club=Hekari United|clubnat=PNG|latest=2024 FIFA Series}}

{{nat fs break|background=#000000}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Matu Ben|age={{bda|2004|1|31|df=y}}|caps=2|goals=0|club=Lae City|clubnat=PNG|latest=2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup}}

{{nat fs end}}

{{Updated|21 December 2024}}{{cite web |title=Papua New Guinea |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/country/143/Papua_New_Guinea.html |website=National Football Teams |access-date=4 March 2022 |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329090943/https://www.national-football-teams.com/country/143/2023/Papua_New_Guinea.html |url-status=live }}

: Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.

:Players in bold are still active with Papua New Guinea.

Notes

{{notelist}}

* 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.

:*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

• OFC Nations Cup
• Runners-up (1): 2016

• Pacific Games
• Bronze medal (2): 1969, 1987
• Melanesia Cup
• Champions (1): 2022
• Third Place (1): 1994

{{#lst:Papua New Guinea national football team results|Record by opponent}}

Sources:{{cite web | url= https://anotandofutbol.blogspot.com/search?q=papua+nueva+guinea | title= FOOTBALL IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA | date= 2023 }}{{cite web | url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOGB4FvsSus | title= 2014 | website= YouTube | date= 6 September 2014 }}{{cite web | url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsB4Q8K6Kpw | title= 2017 | website= YouTube | date= 29 March 2017 }}{{cite web | url= https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fft-singapore-2-2-papua-new-guinea-v0-i3e6x2vjud6b1.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1080%26crop%3Dsmart%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D25c02122c25340663cc9d94a83001c7377144d73 | title= 2022 }}{{cite web | url= https://www.gettyimages.es/detail/fotograf%C3%ADa-de-noticias/phillip-steven-of-papua-new-guinea-during-the-fotograf%C3%ADa-de-noticias/2104595714?adppopup=true| title= 2024 | date= 22 March 2024 }}{{cite web | url= https://pina.com.fj/2024/03/26/central-african-republic-too-strong-for-papua-new-guinea-in-fifa-series/ | title= 2024 | date= 26 March 2024 }}

• Papua New Guinea women's national soccer team

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.pngfootball.com.pg/ Papua New Guinea Football Association]
• [https://www.oceaniafootball.com/papua-new-guinea/ Papua New Guinea] at OFC
• [https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/PNG Papua New Guinea] at FIFA
• [https://www.oceaniafootball.com/png-land-iran-friendly/ National football team of Papua New Guinea picture]

{{Papua New Guinea national football team}}

{{Navboxes

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{{Navboxes

| title = Papua New Guinea squads

| bg = #CE1126

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{{Papua New Guinea squad 2002 OFC Nations Cup}}

{{Papua New Guinea squad 2012 OFC Nations Cup}}

{{Papua New Guinea squad 2016 OFC Nations Cup}}

{{Papua New Guinea squad 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup}}

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{{Football in Papua New Guinea}}

{{Football head to head}}

{{OFC teams}}

{{National sports teams of Papua New Guinea}}

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Category:Oceanian national association football teams