Qualification history
Vanuatu have proven themselves more than capable of competing with Oceania’s elite, securing a number of impressive results across their four FIFA World Cup™ campaigns. Two third-placed finishes in the South Pacific Games saw them progress to the second stage of qualifying for Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010. The nation’s most famous result was a powerhouse 4-2 victory over New Zealand in 2004; a result which allowed Solomon Islands to secure an Oceania play-off final against Australia.
The present
Vanuatu have played only a handful of international matches since the last FIFA World Cup qualifiers four years ago, achieving a variety of results with close scorelines. The nation’s football received a boost in 2011 as local side Amicale turned in a number of outstanding performances to become the first Vanuatuan club to reach the OFC O-League final.
The stars
Striker Fenedy Masauvakalo was front and centre during Amicale’s run, top-scoring in continental competition, and his performances in front of goal are sure to be crucial to Vanuatu’s 2014 FIFA World Cup hopes. Also up front are Robert Tasso and Francois Sakama, both of whom have significant club experience.
Coach: Saby Natonga
Best performance in a FIFA competition: None
Former stars: Richard Iwai, Etienne Mermer, David Chillia
