Solomon Islands national football team

Solomon Islands
Nickname	Bonitos
Association	Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF)
Confederation	OFC (Oceania)
Head coach	vacant
Captain	Joses Nawo
Most caps	Henry Fa'arodo (64)
Top scorer	Commins Menapi (34)
Home stadium	National Stadium,; Lawson Tama Stadium
FIFA code	SOL
First colours	Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	152 (19 January 2026)
Highest	120 (October 2007, April 2008)
Lowest	200 (January–March 2016)
First international
	Solomon Islands 6–3 New Hebrides ; (Suva, Fiji; 30 August 1963)
Biggest win
	Solomon Islands 16–0 Cook Islands ; (Papeete, Tahiti; 21 August 1995)
Biggest defeat
	Tahiti 18–0 Solomon Islands ; (Suva, Fiji; 8 December 1963)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances	8 (first in 1980)
Best result	Runners-up (2004)
Melanesia Cup / MSG Prime Minister's Cup
Appearances	11 (first in 1988)
Best result	Melanesia Cup: Champions ; (1994); MSG Prime Minister's Cup: Champions; (2023)

The Solomon Islands men's national football team is the national football team of Solomon Islands, administered by the Solomon Islands Football Federation. The Solomon Islands national football team was founded in 1978. They were officially recognised by FIFA a decade later, in 1988.^[3]

History

During the 2004 Oceania World Cup qualification/Oceania Cup the team drew 2–2 with Australia and qualified for the second leg. In the second leg, the Solomon Islands national men's team were thrashed by Australia 5–1 and 6–0 in the two matches, with Australia qualifying for the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup.

The Solomons got a second chance against the Socceroos in a two-legged series in September 2005, this time with the winner advancing to a two-legged series against CONMEBOL's fifth-place finisher for a berth in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and the team was thrashed by Australia 7–0 on the first leg and 2–1 in the second played at home.

The Solomons were knocked out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup – having got off to a good start winning every game in their qualifying group and comfortably progressing to the knockout rounds, defeats to New Caledonia and then to Vanuatu saw them knocked out of the competition.

In 2012, the Solomon Islands held the 2012 OFC Nations Cup which was also the second round of World Cup qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup where they finished in fourth place after qualifying through to the knockout stage by defeating Papua New Guinea and having draws against Fiji and New Zealand. They lost in the semi-final after they lost to the champions Tahiti after Jonathan Tehau scored the only goal. They later lost to New Zealand in the third-place playoff. The third round of World Cup qualifying saw the team finish bottom of the group after only taking one win against Tahiti.

After first taking charge of the team in 2017, Spaniard Felipe Vega-Arango was appointed for his second stint in June 2021.^[4]

In 2019, they went on a three-week training tour in Netherlands.^[5]

In June 2023, Solomon Islands played their friendly match against Southeast Asia countries, Singapore and Malaysia. Solomon Island won the 2023 MSG Prime Minister's Cup after winning against Papua New Guinea (3–1), Vanuatu (1–0) and New Caledonia (1–0) as Raphael Lea'i clinch the golden boots as the tournament top scorer with four goals.

Team image

Kit sponsorship

Kit lier	Period
Lotto	2004–2013
Bocini	2014
OFC	2015
None	2016
Veto	2017
UCAN	2019–2022
SUNAIS	2022–2024
Veto	2024–

Results and fixtures

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

Win Draw Loss Fixture

2024

9 December 2024 MSG Prime Minister's Cup	Solomon Islands	4–1	Vanuatu	Honiara, Solomon Islands
15:00 UTC+11	Boyers 22' (pen.), 48.' Keana 30', 79'		Nicolas King 52'	Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium

12 December 2024 MSG Prime Minister's Cup	Solomon Islands	2–0	Solomon Islands B	Honiara, Solomon Islands
15:00 UTC+11				Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium

18 December 2024 MSG Prime Minister's Cup	Papua New Guinea	3–2	Solomon Islands	Honiara, Solomon Islands
16:00 UTC+11				Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium

21 December 2024 MSG Prime Minister's Cup	Solomon Islands	1–3	Fiji	Honiara, Solomon Islands
18:00 UTC+11				Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium

2025

13 November 2025 MSG Prime Minister's Cup	Papua New Guinea	1–0	Solomon Islands	Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
16:00 UTC+10	P. Paul 75'	Report		Stadium: PNG Football Stadium

20 November 2025 MSG Prime Minister's Cup semi-final	Vanuatu	2–1	Solomon Islands	Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
19:00 UTC+10	Andrew 32' Loloa 40'	Report	Supa 44'	Stadium: PNG Football Stadium

22 November 2025 MSG Prime Minister's Cup third place match	Fiji	1–1 Abandoned	Solomon Islands	Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
17:00 UTC+10	Wasasala 22' (pen.)	Report	Boyers 35' (pen.)	Stadium: PNG Football Stadium

2026

27 March 2026 FIFA Series	Bulgaria	v	Solomon Islands	Jakarta, Indonesia
15:30 UTC+7				Stadium: Gelora Bung Karno Stadium

31 March 2026 FIFA Series	Indonesia /Saint Kitts and Nevis	v	Solomon Islands	Jakarta, Indonesia
15:30 UTC+7/20:00 UTC+7				Stadium: Gelora Bung Karno Stadium

Coaching staff

Position	Name
Head coach	Josh Smith^[6]
Assistant coach	Moses Toata^[6]
Goalkeeper coach	Tibon Oge
Kit Manager	Augustine Hou
Team Manager	Dixion Lauia Anga

Coaching history

Wim Rijsbergen became the manager of the Solomon Islands in 2019

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Edward Ngara (1995–1996)
Wilson Maelaua (1996)
George Cowie (2000–2003)
Alan Gillett (2004–2005)
Airton Andrioli (2006–2009)
Jacob Moli (2010–2014)^[7]
Moses Toata (2015–2016)^[8]
Felipe Vega-Arango (2017–2018)
Moses Toata (2018–2019)
Wim Rijsbergen (2019)
Stanley Waita (2020–2021)
Felipe Vega-Arango (2021–2024)
Eddie Marahare (2024)^[9]
Jacob Moli (2024)^[9]
Moses Toata (2024)^[6]
Josh Smith (2024–)^[6]

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification against Fiji on 10 October 2024.^[10]

Caps and goals correct as of 10 October 2024, after the match against Fiji.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Philip Mango	(1995-08-28) 28 August 1995	45	0	Solomon Kings
1GK	Michael Laulae	(2002-05-20) 20 May 2002	4	0	Henderson Eels
1GK	Harold Nauania	(1997-10-10) 10 October 1997	2	0	Real Kakamora

2DF	Javin Wae	(2002-11-17) 17 November 2002	20	0	Solomon Kings
2DF	Leon Kofana	(2002-06-22) 22 June 2002	21	0	PNG Hekari
2DF	David Supa	(2000-12-21) 21 December 2000	14	0	Solomon Kings
2DF	Calvin Ohasio	(2000-04-05) 5 April 2000	12	0	Central Coast
2DF	Junior David	(2001-09-22) 22 September 2001	10	0	Solomon Kings
2DF	Alick Stanton	(1998-05-25) 25 May 1998	9	0	Central Coast

3MF	Atkin Kaua	(1996-04-04) 4 April 1996	40	5	Solomon Kings
3MF	William Komasi	(2000-06-10) 10 June 2000	21	1	Solomon Kings
3MF	Don Keana	(2000-09-09) 9 September 2000	6	0	Solomon Kings
3MF	Carlos Liomasia	(1994-09-17) 17 September 1994	2	0	Tailevu
3MF	Ben Fox	(2001-07-06) 6 July 2001	1	0	Solomon Kings
3MF	Jared Rongosulia	(1995-11-06) 6 November 1995	0	0	Navua
3MF	Paul Francis	(2004-09-05) 5 September 2004	0	0	Real Kakamora

4FW	Micah Lea'alafa	(1991-06-01) 1 June 1991	28	8	Vipers FC
4FW	Alvin Hou	(1996-09-18) 18 September 1996	25	7	Solomon Warriors
4FW	Raphael Lea'i	(2003-09-09) 9 September 2003	22	11	Solomon Kings
4FW	Bobby Leslie	(2000-03-03) 3 March 2000	12	2	Solomon Kings
4FW	Mohammad Mekawir	(2000-07-27) 27 July 2000	7	0	Navua

Recent call-ups

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

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Junior Petua	(2003-12-30) 30 December 2003	0	0	Solomon Kings	v. Fiji, 20 March 2024
GK	Timothy Mae'arasia	(1995-06-19) 19 June 1995	2	0	Solomon Warriors	2023 Pacific Games

DF	Prince Tahanipue	(1995-01-13) 13 January 1995	10	0	Central Coast	v. Hong Kong, 5 September 2024
DF	Loea Taisara	(1989-06-02) 2 June 1989	3	0	Solomon Warriors	v. Hong Kong, 5 September 2024
DF	Allen Peter	(1995-09-11) 11 September 1995	18	0	Solomon Warriors	2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup
DF	Steven Koti	(2000-06-10) 10 June 2000	0	0	Kossa	2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup
DF	Hadisi Aengari	(1988-10-23) 23 October 1988	44	0	Solomon Warriors	v. Fiji, 20 March 2024

MF	Tigi Molea	(1992-09-24) 24 September 1992	11	3	Solomon Warriors	v. Hong Kong, 5 September 2024
MF	Marlon Tahioa	(1998-11-28) 28 November 1998	9	0	Central Coast	v. Hong Kong, 5 September 2024
MF	Hudson Oreinima	(1988-07-24) 24 July 1988	2	0	Solomon Kings	2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup
MF	Hadyn Irodao	(2002-10-29) 29 October 2002	0	0	Central Coast	2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup
MF	Molis Gagame	(1989-09-21) 21 September 1989	14	0	Kossa	v. Fiji, 20 March 2024

FW	Joses Nawo	(1988-05-03) 3 May 1988	55	8	Real Kakamora	v. Hong Kong, 5 September 2024
FW	Dalton Saeni	(2002-10-14) 14 October 2002	0	0	Marist	v. Hong Kong, 5 September 2024
FW	Gagame Feni	(1992-08-21) 21 August 1992	35	19	Solomon Kings	2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup
FW	Junior Fordney	(1999-11-26) 26 November 1999	1	0	Solomon Kings	2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup
FW	Norman Ngafu	(1997-07-16) 16 July 1997	1	0	Marist	2023 Pacific Games^PRE

Player records

As of 22 November 2025^[11]

Players in bold are still active with Solomon Islands.

Most appearances

Henry Fa'arodo is the Solomon Islands' most-capped player with 64 appearances.

Rank	Name	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Henry Fa'arodo	64	20	2002–2017
2	Joses Nawo^[a]	55	8	2011–present
3	Benjamin Totori	52	29	2007–2019
4	Atkin Kaua^[b]	48	6	2016–present
5	Hadisi Aengari	44	0	2011–present
5	Philip Mango^[a]	44	0	2016–present
7	Nelson Sale Kilifa	37	0	2004–2017
7	Batram Suri	37	15	1992–2005
9	Commins Menapi	36	34	2000–2007
10	Gagame Feni	35	19	2012–present

Top goalscorers

Rank	Name	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Commins Menapi	34	36	0.94	2000–2007
2	Benjamin Totori	29	52	0.56	2007–2019
3	Henry Fa'arodo	20	64	0.31	2002–2017
4	Gagame Feni	19	35	0.54	2012–present
5	Batram Suri	15	37	0.41	1992–2005
6	Raphael Lea'i^[c]	12	30	0.4	2022–present
7	Noel Berry	10	15	0.67	1995–2000
8	Micah Lea'alafa^[a]	9	31	0.29	2016–present
9	John Orobulu^[a]	8	16	0.5	2018–present
9	Joses Nawo^[a]	8	55	0.15	2011–present

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Also appeared in one match against an international 'B' side in the MSG Prime Minister's Cup, however this is not recognised as an official match by FIFA.
^ Also appeared in two matches against international 'B' sides in the MSG Prime Minister's Cup, however these are not recognised as official matches by FIFA.
^ Lea'i also appeared in two matches, scoring one goal, against international 'B' sides in the MSG Prime Minister's Cup, however these are not recognised as official matches by FIFA.

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record									Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Pos.	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930	Not member of FIFA								Not member of FIFA
1934
1938
1950
1954
1958
1962
1966
1970
1974
1978
1982
1986
1990	Did not enter								Did not enter
1994	Did not qualify								1st Round	4	0	1	3	5	13
1998									2nd Round	8	3	3	2	22	23
2002									1st Round	4	2	0	2	17	10
2006									2nd	11	6	2	3	24	16
2010									SF	6	4	0	2	23	6
2014									4th	9	2	2	5	7	22
2018									2nd	9	4	1	4	10	16
2022									2nd	3	2	0	1	6	8
2026									2nd Round	3	1	0	2	4	5
2030	To be determined								To be determined
2034	To be determined								To be determined
Total	—	0/23	–	–	–	–	–	–	—	60	24	9	27	122	126

OFC Nations Cup

Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1973	Did not enter									Did not enter
1980	Group stage	8th	3	0	0	3	3	21	N/a	No qualification
1996	Semi-finals	3rd	2	0	0	2	1	3	Squad	4	4	0	0	10	1
1998	Did not qualify									4	2	1	1	8	7
2000	Third place	3rd	4	2	0	2	7	10	Squad	4	2	1	1	10	9
2002	Group stage	6th	3	0	1	2	3	9	Squad	Qualified automatically
2004	Runners-up	2nd	7	3	1	3	10	17	Squad	4	3	1	0	14	1
2008	Did not qualify									6	4	0	2	23	6
2012	Fourth place	4th	5	1	2	2	5	6	Squad	Qualified automatically
2016	Semi-finals	3rd	4	1	0	3	2	4	Squad
2024	Group stage	6th	2	0	0	2	0	4	Squad
Total	Runners-up	8/11	30	7	4	19	31	74	—	22	15	3	4	65	24

Pacific Games

Pacific Games record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1963	Fourth place	4th	3	1	0	2	6	26
1966	Group stage	6th	2	0	1	1	4	12
1969	Sixth place	6th	5	0	1	4	8	19
1971	did not enter
1975	Bronze medal	3rd	4	2	1	1	9	8
1979	Bronze medal	3rd	5	4	0	1	24	5
1983	Group stage	10th	3	1	0	2	0	11
1987	did not enter
1991	Silver medal	2nd	5	4	1	0	12	3
1995	Silver medal	2nd	6	4	0	2	34	10
2003	Group stage	5th	4	2	1	1	14	4
2007	Fourth place	4th	6	4	0	2	23	6
2011	Silver medal	2nd	7	5	0	2	21	6
2015	See Solomon Islands national under-23 football team
2019	Group stage	7th	5	2	1	2	30	9
Total	Runners-up	12/15	55	29	6	20	185	119

Wantok Cup

2008 (July, 1st edition) – First place

Head-to-head record

As of 21 December 2024

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	WPCT
American Samoa	4	4	0	0	40	1	+39	100.00
Australia	10	0	1	9	8	55	−47	0.00
Chinese Taipei	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	100.00
Cook Islands	5	5	0	0	37	2	+35	100.00
Fiji	44	8	16	20	47	79	−32	18.18
Guam	3	3	0	0	24	2	+22	100.00
Hong Kong	1	0	0	1	0	3	−3	0.00
Kiribati	1	1	0	0	7	0	+7	100.00
Macau	1	1	0	0	4	1	+3	100.00
Malaysia	1	0	0	1	1	4	−3	0.00
New Caledonia	29	11	3	15	35	58	−23	37.93
New Zealand	14	0	2	12	11	52	−41	0.00
Papua New Guinea	25	15	4	6	44	33	+11	60.00
Samoa^[a]	4	4	0	0	21	0	+21	100.00
Singapore	2	0	1	1	4	5	−1	0.00
Tahiti	24	5	3	16	26	76	−50	20.83
Tonga	5	5	0	0	31	0	+31	100.00
Tuvalu	4	4	0	0	29	1	+28	100.00
Vanuatu^[b]	36	23	7	6	81	38	+43	63.89
Wallis and Futuna	3	3	0	0	23	1	+22	100.00
Total	217	93	37	87	474	411	+63	42.86

Source: 1963–99 results and 2000–present results
Notes:

^ Includes results as Western Samoa.
^ Includes results as New Hebrides.

Honours

Continental

OFC Nations Cup
- Runners-up (1): 2004
- Third place (1): 2000

Regional

Pacific Games
- Silver medal (4): 1991, 1995, 2011, 2023
- Bronze medal (2): 1975, 1979
Melanesia Cup / MSG Prime Minister's Cup
- Champions (2): 1994, 2023
- Runners-up (2): 1988, 2000
- Third place (4): 1989, 1992, 1998, 2024

Awards

OFC Nations Cup Fair Play Award: 2012

Summary

Competition				Total
OFC Nations Cup	0	1	1	2
Total	0	1	1	2

Historical kits

References

^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 19 January 2026. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 19 January 2026. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
^ "Member Association – Solomon Islands". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
^ "Solomon Islands appoint new coach". 23 June 2021. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^ "Historic training camp in Netherlands wrap-up". siff.com.sb. 5 June 2019. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "New Head Coach Sets Ambitious Path Ahead". SFF. 1 September 2024.
^ "FIFA.com". 23 June 2007. Archived from the original on 23 June 2007.
^ "Solomons search for new coach". Oceania Football Confederation. 29 July 2016. Archived from the original on 29 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
^ ^a ^b "MOLI APPOINTED FOR NATIONS CUP 2024". SIFF. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
^ "Squad Announcement". Facebook. Solomon Islands Football Federation. 3 October 2024.
^ "Solomon Islands". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2021.

External links

[MSG_1-12] Also appeared in one match against an international 'B' side in the MSG Prime Minister's Cup, however this is not recognised as an official match by FIFA.

[MSG_2-13] Also appeared in two matches against international 'B' sides in the MSG Prime Minister's Cup, however these are not recognised as official matches by FIFA.

[Lea'i-14] Lea'i also appeared in two matches, scoring one goal, against international 'B' sides in the MSG Prime Minister's Cup, however these are not recognised as official matches by FIFA.

[table_note_SAM0.66837527354638-15] Includes results as Western Samoa.

[table_note_VAN0.66837527354638-16] Includes results as New Hebrides.

[FIFA_World_Rankings-1] "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 19 January 2026. Retrieved 19 January 2026.

[World_Football_Elo_Ratings-2] Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 19 January 2026. Retrieved 19 January 2026.

[3] "Member Association – Solomon Islands". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2018.

[4] "Solomon Islands appoint new coach". 23 June 2021. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.

[5] "Historic training camp in Netherlands wrap-up". siff.com.sb. 5 June 2019. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.

[JoshSmith-6] "New Head Coach Sets Ambitious Path Ahead". SFF. 1 September 2024.

[7] "FIFA.com". 23 June 2007. Archived from the original on 23 June 2007.

[8] "Solomons search for new coach". Oceania Football Confederation. 29 July 2016. Archived from the original on 29 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.

[:0-9] "MOLI APPOINTED FOR NATIONS CUP 2024". SIFF. Retrieved 28 June 2024.

[10] "Squad Announcement". Facebook. Solomon Islands Football Federation. 3 October 2024.

[11] "Solomon Islands". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2021.

[1]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[a]

[b]

[c]

[a]

[b]

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