The New Caledonia men's national football team (), nicknamed (), is the national team of New Caledonia; it is controlled by the Fédération Calédonienne de Football. Although they were only admitted to FIFA in 2004, they have been participating in the OFC Nations Cup since its inception. They have been one of this relatively small region's strongest teams, finishing second in 2008 and 2012, and third in 1973 and 1980. They were the top ranked OFC nation at number 95 in September 2008,FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking September 2008 making them only the fourth country from the confederation to have reached the global top 100.
History
The New Caledonian Football Federation, although created in 1928, did not join FIFA or the OFC until 2004, becoming the 205th member of the former.
Previously the New Caledonian selection, due to the attachment of local institutions to the French Football Federation, could only line up during friendly matches or regional competitions, such as the Pacific Games, as well as the Oceania Football Cup, but only as a guest.
The Cagous distinguished themselves during these competitions, winning the Pacific Games on several occasions, and finishing in third place, during the first two editions of the OFC Nations Cup.
After failing to qualify for the 2004 OFC Nations Cup, the New Caledonian Football Federation hired Didier Chambaron as the team's new coach. During the 2007 South Pacific Games in Apia, the Cagous were placed in group A and won over their great rival Tahiti (1–0), this meeting was the first of the playoffs for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. They then won against Tuvalu and the Cook Islands (1–0) and (3–0). For their last group match, they drew against Fiji (1–1). The New Caledonians finished second in their group, and then beat the Solomon Islands (3–2), then in the final won the trophy against Fiji (1–0).
The Pacific Games football tournament serving as the first qualifying round for the World Cup in South Africa, the team found themselves qualified for the second round, where New Zealand blocked their way by taking first place. The Cagous however finish second in front of Fiji and Vanuatu.
In May 2011, the selection faced Reunion twice in Nouméa, matches counting for the preparation of the games of the islands of the Indian Ocean in the Seychelles of the Reunionese. The New Caledonians lost both matches. However, a few months later, during the 2011 Pacific Games, New Caledonia won in the final against the Solomon Islands, with the score of (2–0), after a victory against Tahiti (3–1).
In June 2012, on the occasion of the OFC Nations Cup, the Cagous succeeded in beating New Zealand in the semi-finals, with a score of 2–0 (goals from Bertrand Kai and Georges Gope-Fenepej), but failed in the final against their Tahitian rivals (1–0). Nevertheless, the competition serving as a second qualifying round for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, New Caledonia found itself, along with Tahiti and the semi-finalists New Zealand and the Solomon Islands qualified for the next round.
New Caledonia achieved their best-ever FIFA World Cup qualification campaign during qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After finishing top of their group in the second round of OFC qualifying, they defeated Tahiti 3–0 in the third-round semi-final before losing 3–0 to New Zealand in the OFC final. As runners-up, New Caledonia advanced to the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
Their qualification for the Play-Off Tournament marked the first time a Melanesian nation had reached an inter-confederation play-off for the FIFA World Cup. New Caledonia were drawn against Jamaica in the Path A semi-final, played at Guadalajara Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, on 26 March 2026. Jamaica won 1–0, with Bailey Cadamarteri scoring the only goal in the 18th minute, ending New Caledonia's hopes of qualifying for their first FIFA World Cup.
Rivalries A historical sporting rivalry exists between the two French Pacific overseas collectivities, New Caledonia and Tahiti. They compete regularly in regional and, since 2006, international competitions. In 2012, Tahiti led the number of titles won (1 OFC Nations Cup, 5 gold medals at the South Pacific Games, 2 at the South Pacific mini-games, against 6 gold at the South Pacific Games for New Caledonia). As of their last match in 2018, out of the 62 matches played since 1953, the New Caledonia has 28 wins against 25 for Tahiti and 9 draws.
Kit Macron are the current kit provider for the national team since 2025. As of 2012, the national team's home kit is a grey jersey with red shorts and red socks. The away kit is a red jersey with red shorts and white socks.
Kit supplier Period Puma 2004–2006 Nike 2010–2012 Erreà 2013–2017 Kappa 2017–2019 Select 2020–2021 Givova 2022–2025 Macron 2025–
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.
2025
2026
Coaching history
Guy Elmour (1971–1973) Jules Hmeune (1977) Rudi Gutendorf (1981) Jacques Zimako (1995) Michel Clarque (2002) Serge Martinengo de Novack (2002–2004) Didier Chambaron (2007–2010) Christophe Coursimault (2010–2012) Alain Moizan (2012–2015) Thierry Sardo (2015–2021) Dominique Wacalie (2021–2022) Johann Sidaner (2022–2026) Felix Tagawa (2026-present)
Players Current squad The following 18 players were called up for the 2026 MSG Prime Minister's Cup. Caps and goals correct after the match against Solomon Islands.
Recent call-ups The following players have also been called up to the New Caledonia squad within the last twelve months.
Notes INJ Withdrew due to injury PRE Preliminary squad / standby WD Withdrew due to non-injury issue
Player records
Players in bold are still active with New Caledonia.
Most appearances
RankNameCapsGoalsCareer1César Zeoula47132008–present2Bertrand Kaï43232008–20223Emile Béaruné4202010–present4Pierre Wajoka39132003–2011Joël Wakanumuné3912011–20226Iamel Kabeu34202002–20137Rocky Nyikeine330 2011–present8Roy Kayara3182008–20199Michel Hmaé28222003–201110André Sinédo2712002–2011Georges Gope-Fenepej27182011–present
Top goalscorers
RankNameGoalsCapsRatioCareer1Bertrand Kaï23432008–20222Michel Hmaé22282003–20113Iamel Kabeu20342002–20134Georges Gope-Fenepej18272011–present5Pierre Wajoka13392003–2011César Zeoula13472008–present7Jean-Philippe Saïko12102016–20228Joris Pibke1152000–20029Paul Poatinda10102003–200410Jacques Haeko9132011–2012
Competitive record
FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup recordQualification recordYearRoundPosition* 1930Not member of FIFANot member of FIFA 1934 1938 1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006Did not qualify3rd4211162 20102nd127322213 20142nd117043613 20182nd8242138 20224th3003210 20262nd (PO)6312108 2030To be determinedTo be determined 2034Total––––––—44219149954
FIFA World Cup qualification HistoryYearRoundH/A/NScoreResult2006Group 1N 0 – 0 DrawGroup 1A 0 – 2 LossGroup 1N 8 – 0 WinGroup 1N 8 – 0 Win2010South Pacific GamesN 1 – 0 WinSouth Pacific GamesN 1 – 0 WinSouth Pacific GamesN 3 – 0 WinSouth Pacific GamesN 1 – 1 DrawSouth Pacific GamesN 3 – 2 WinSouth Pacific GamesN 1 – 0 WinOFC Nations CupA 3 – 3 DrawOFC Nations CupH 4 – 0 WinOFC Nations CupA 1 – 1 DrawOFC Nations CupH 3 – 0 WinOFC Nations CupH 1 – 3 LossOFC Nations CupA 0 – 3 Loss2014OFC Nations CupN 5 – 2 WinOFC Nations CupN 3 – 4 LossOFC Nations CupN 9 – 0 WinThird RoundH 0 – 2 LossThird RoundA 4 – 0 WinThird RoundA 6 – 2 WinThird RoundH 5 – 0 WinThird RoundA 1 – 2 LossThird RoundH 1 – 0 Win2018OFC Nations CupN 1 – 1 DrawOFC Nations CupN 7 – 0 WinOFC Nations CupN 1 – 1 DrawThird RoundA 0 – 2 LossThird RoundH 0 – 0 DrawThird RoundA 2 – 2 DrawThird RoundH 2 – 1 Draw2022Group StageN 1 – 2 LossGroup StageN 0 – 1 LossGroup StageN 1 – 7 Loss2026Second RoundN 3 – 1 WinSecond RoundN 2 – 3 WinSecond RoundN 1 – 1 Draw
OFC Nations Cup Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup recordQualification recordYearRoundPosition 1973Third place3rd5302106No qualification 1980Third place3rd430114121996Did not qualify410359 19984004410 200042021111 2002Group stage8th30031144301254 2004Did not qualify42111622008Runners-up2nd622212106510103 2012Runners-up2nd5302197Qualified automatically 2016Semi-finals3rd412193 2024Qualified but withdrewTotalRunners-up6/11 2712411655226132117139
Pacific Games Pacific Games recordYearHostRound*1963Gold medal22001031966Silver medal43011721969Gold medal54102031971Gold medal43101221975Silver medal54011641979Fourth place53022681983Bronze medal640216111987Gold medal65012641991Bronze medal53021381995Group stage42021932003Silver medal64112932007Gold medal65101032011Gold medal76013632015See New Caledonia national under-23 football team2019Silver medal65012322023Gold medal4310182Total8 titles695251326859
MSG Prime Minister's Cup MSG Prime Minister's Cup recordYearHostPosition*1988Fourth place4103651989Runners-up4301951990Runners-up4211531992Runners-up3210421994Fourth place4103591998Fifth place40044102000Fourth place420211112022Sixth place2002022023Runners-up3201722024WithdrewTotalRunners-up32132175149
Head-to-head record Up to matches played on 30 September 2026.
Honours Continental OFC Nations Cup Runners-up (2): 2008, 2012 Third place (2): 1973, 1980
Regional Pacific Games Gold medal (7): 1963, 1969, 1971, 1987, 2007, 2011, 2023 Silver medal (4): 1966, 1987, 2003, 2019 Bronze medal (2): 1983, 1991 Melanesia Cup / MSG Prime Minister's Cup Runner-up (4): 1989, 1990, 1992, 2023
Awards OFC Nations Cup Fair Play Award: 2016
Summary Competition TotalOFC Nations Cup0224Total0224
Historical kits
Sources:
Notes
References
External links New Caledonian Football Federation New Caledonia at OFC New Caledonia at FIFA