Cook Islands national football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Cook Islands women's national football team.

Cook Islands

Nickname(s)| Soka Kuki Airani
Association| Cook Islands
Football Association
Confederation| OFC (Oceania)
Head coach| Tuka Tisam
Captain| Grover Harmon
Most caps| Tony Jamieson (22)
Top scorer| Taylor Saghabi (7)
Home stadium| Avarua Tereora Stadium
FIFA code| COK

First colours

Second colours

|

FIFA ranking
Current|  189  1 (10 July 2025)[1]
Highest| 166 (October 2015)
Lowest| 207 (April–July 2015)
First international
Papua New Guinea 16–1 Cook Islands
(Papeete, Tahiti; 11 September 1971)
Biggest win
Cook Islands 3–0 American Samoa
(Papeete, Tahiti; 12 June 2000)
Cook Islands 4–1 Tuvalu
(Apia, Samoa; 1 September 2007)
Cook Islands 3–0 Kiribati
(Boulari, New Caledonia; 1 September 2011)
Tonga 0–3 Cook Islands
(Nukuʻalofa, Tonga; 31 August 2015)
Biggest defeat
Tahiti 30–0 Cook Islands
(Papeete, Tahiti; 13 September 1971)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances| 2 (first in 1998)
Best result| Group stage (1998, 2000)
Pacific Games
Appearances| 5 (first in 1971)
Best result| Sixth place (1971)
Polynesia Cup
Appearances| 2 (first in 1998)
Best result| Runners-up (1998, 2000)

The Cook Islands men's national football team is the men's football team that represents the Cook Islands in international competition since 1971. It is governed by the Cook Islands Football Association which is part of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and FIFA.

The nation has participated in seven FIFA World Cup qualification attempts since their first attempt back in 1998. They have qualified for the OFC Nations Cup twice in 1998 and 2000 OFC Nations Cup with both appearances seeing no wins from their four games that they have played.

## History

[edit]

### Beginnings (1971–1995)

[edit]

Despite being absent from the first three editions of the South Pacific Games, the geographical proximity of the Cook Islands with French Polynesia, host of the 1971 South Pacific Games, allowed the Cookian team to take part in the tournament. In the first round they were defeated 16–1 by Papua New Guinea and 30–0 by Tahiti, while in the match for fifth place, they fell to Fiji 15–1.

They next played a match in 1995 when proximity allowed them to participate again in the 1995 South Pacific Games. During the tournament they earned their first win, a 2–1 win over Wallis and Futuna, but lost their other four clashes resoundingly.

### The two OFC Nations Cup (1996–2001)

[edit]

The Cook Islands qualified for their first OFC Nations Cup after finishing second in the 1998 Polynesia Cup, which they hosted. They faced Australia and Fiji in Group B, in what proved to be a tough draw. Australia crushed the Cook Islands 16–0 in their first match, scoring eight goals either side of the interval. In their next match against Fiji, however, the Cook Islands acquitted themselves much better, losing only 3–0, but with two defeats from two matches they failed to make the semi-finals.

In finishing 2nd at the 2000 Polynesia Cup, the Cook Islands also qualified for the OFC Nations Cup. They were drawn in Group A along with the Solomon Islands, and again, Australia. After their heavy defeat at the hands of Australia in the previous tournament, the Cook Islands hoped to avoid a repeat performance. However, they were powerless to prevent their opponents from running rampant, this time to the tune of 17–0. The Solomon Islands were up next, and in this game the Cook Islands had the consolation of scoring their first goal at the OFC Nations Cup – the only bright spot in an otherwise bleak 5–1 defeat. After two defeats, then, the Cooks Islands again went out at the group stage.

### Decline (2002–present)

[edit]

They next entered qualification for the 2004 tournament however they lost all four matches and failed to progress.

They returned to the South Pacific Games for the 2007 competition where they could only beat Tuvalu 4–1. Four years later, at Nouméa 2011, they defeated Kiribati 3–0, but lost their other three meetings; while in 2012 OFC Nations Cup qualification they drew with American Samoa and fell to Samoa and Tonga.

In the 2016 OFC Nations Cup qualifiers, they beat Tonga 3–1 and Samoa 1–0, but fell in the last game against American Samoa 2-0, which relegated the Cook Islands to third place, surpassed on goal difference by both Samoas.

In March 2022, the Cook Islands played their first match in seven years when they lost 2–0 to the Solomon Islands in qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, they had to withdraw from their remaining matches due to a COVID-19 outbreak.[3][4]

On 28 August 2023, Cook Islands resumed their international matches playing against Tahiti but suffered a 9–1 heavy defeat to Tahiti at the Stade Pater Te Hono Nui in Pirae.

## Kit sponsorship

[edit]

Kit supplier  | Period

|

Lotto | 2001
Adidas | 2002–2007
Lotto | 2007–2012
Onu Football | 2016–2022
KPI Sports  | 2022–2024
Lotto Sport Italia | 2024–

Source:[5][6]

## Results and fixtures

[edit]

Main article: Cook 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.

Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

### 2024

[edit]

Samoa  v  Cook Islands 23 March 2024 OFC Nations Cup qualification|  Samoa  | 1–0|   Cook Islands | Nuku'alofa, Tonga

|
|
|
|

11:00 |

* Taualai 88'

| Report |  | Stadium: Teufaiva Stadium
Attendance: 300
Referee: Pari Oito (Tahiti)

Cook Islands  v  Tonga 26 March 2024 OFC Nations Cup qualification|  Cook Islands  | 1–0|   Tonga | Nuku'alofa, Tonga

|
|
|
|

14:00 |

* Saghabi 38'

| Report |  | Stadium: Teufaiva Stadium
Attendance: 500
Referee: Laurie Fairamoa (Solomon Islands)

Cook Islands  v  Tonga 6 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification|  Cook Islands  | 1–3|   Tonga | Apia, Samoa

|
|
|
|

11:00 UTC+13 |

* Kumsuz 63'

| [7][8] |

* Tikoipau 27'
* Polovili 39' (pen.)
* Kefu 79'

| Stadium: FFS Football Stadium
Attendance: 300
Referee: Calvin Berg (New Zealand)

Cook Islands  v  American Samoa 9 September Friendly|  Cook Islands  | 1–2|   American Samoa | Apia, Samoa

|
|
|
|

11:00 UTC+13 | Kaufononga 83' | Report (OFC) |

* Mitchell 44'
* Stefanon 50'

| Stadium: FFS Football Stadium
Attendance: 400
Referee: Kavitesh Behari (Fiji)

## Coaches

[edit]

* Alex Napa (1996–1998)
* Cormac Gallen-Willcocks (2001–2004)
* Tim Jerks (2004–2010)
* Shane Rufer (2011)
* Paul Farrell-Turepu (2011–2014)
* Drew Sherman (2015–2017)
* Kevin Fallon (2018–2020)
* Alan Taylor (2022)
* Jess Ibrom (2023-)

## Players

[edit]

### Current squad

[edit]

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match window in September 2024.[9]

Caps and goals are correct as of 9 September 2024, after the match against American Samoa.

No. | Pos. | Player  | Date of birth (age)  | Caps  | Goals  | Club

|
|
|
|
|
|

| 1GK | Tahiri Elikana |  (1988-09-14) 14 September 1988 (age 36) | 13  | 0  |  Nikao Sokattak
| 1GK | Ngereine Maro |  (2005-03-20) 20 March 2005 (age 20) | 5  | 0  |  Western Suburbs

* * *

| 2DF | Paavo Mustonen |  (1989-11-10) 10 November 1989 (age 35) | 18  | 0  |  Tupapa Maraerenga
| 2DF | Emiel Burrow |  (1992-05-17) 17 May 1992 (age 33) | 10  | 0  |  Oratia United
| 2DF | Orin Ruaine-Prattley |  (1997-11-03) 3 November 1997 (age 27) | 9  | 0  |  Brooklyn Northern United
| 2DF | Dwayne Tiputoa |  (1997-12-08) 8 December 1997 (age 27) | 8  | 1  |  Tupapa Maraerenga
| 2DF | Tamaiva Mateariki |  (1999-02-05) 5 February 1999 (age 26) | 2  | 0  |  Tupapa Maraerenga
| 2DF | John Noovao |  (2004-09-18) 18 September 2004 (age 20) | 1  | 0  |  Tupapa Maraerenga

* * *

| 3MF | Grover Harmon |  (1989-08-09) 9 August 1989 (age 35) | 18  | 1  |  Tupapa Maraerenga
| 3MF | Tremaine Rimene-Albrett |  (2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 (age 23) | 6  | 1  |  Douglas Villa
| 3MF | Thane Beal |  (1997-03-26) 26 March 1997 (age 28) | 5  | 0  |  Westvale Olympic
| 3MF | Oscar Wichman |  (2005-07-01) 1 July 2005 (age 20) | 3  | 0  |  Tupapa Maraerenga
| 3MF | Ngametua Tuakana |  (2005-02-28) 28 February 2005 (age 20) | 2  | 0  |  Tupapa Maraerenga
| 3MF | Taci Kumsuz |  (1999-01-06) 6 January 1999 (age 26) | 1  | 1  |  St George City
| 3MF | Kerim Kumsuz |  (1992-08-27) 27 August 1992 (age 32) | 0  | 0  |  Tupapa Maraerenga

* * *

| 4FW | Taylor Saghabi |  (1990-12-25) 25 December 1990 (age 34) | 19  | 7  |  Tupapa Maraerenga
| 4FW | Josh Karika |  (1989-09-15) 15 September 1989 (age 35) | 7  | 0  |  Matavera
| 4FW | Siaosi Kaufononga |  (1995-02-20) 20 February 1995 (age 30) | 3  | 1  |  Tupapa Maraerenga
| 4FW | Tupaia Ringi |  (2003-03-14) 14 March 2003 (age 22) | 2  | 0  |  Canberra Olympic

### Recent call-ups

[edit]

The following players have also been called up to the Cook Islands squad within the last twelve months.

Pos. | Player  | Date of birth (age)  | Caps  | Goals  | Club  | Latest call-up

|
|
|
|
|
|

* * *

DF | Sunai Joseph |  (1998-02-20) 20 February 1998 (age 27) | 5  | 0  |  Tupapa Maraerenga | v.  Tonga; 26 March 2024
DF | Nuku Mokoroa |  (2004-05-15) 15 May 2004 (age 21) | 0  | 0  |  Nikao Sokattak | v.  Tonga; 26 March 2024

* * *

MF | Lee Harmon Jr. |  (2001-10-23) 23 October 2001 (age 23) | 7  | 0  |  Tupapa Maraerenga | v.  Tonga; 26 March 2024

* * *

## Player records

[edit]

As of 9 September 2024[10]
Players in bold are still active with Cook Islands.

### Most appearances

[edit]

Rank  | Name  | Caps  | Goals  | Career

|
|
|
|

1  | Tony Jamieson | 22  | 0  | 2000–2011
2  | John Pareanga | 20  | 2  | 1998–2011
3  | Taylor Saghabi | 19  | 7  | 2011–present
4  | Grover Harmon | 18  | 1  | 2009–present
Paavo Mustonen | 18  | 0  | 2007–present
6  | Joseph Chambers | 14  | 0  | 1996–2004
7  | Tahiri Elikana | 13  | 0  | 2011–present
Mark Jamieson | 13  | 1  | 2000–2004
Christian Tauira | 13  | 0  | 1998–2004
10  | Stenter Mani | 12  | 2  | 1996–2001
Joseph Miitamariki  | 12  | 0  | 2007–2011
James Nand  | 12  | 0  | 1996–2001
Daniel Shepherd | 12  | 1  | 2000–2007
Nikorima Te Miha | 12  | 2  | 1998–2011

### Top goalscorers

[edit]

Rank  | Name  | Goals  | Caps  | Ratio  | Career

|
|
|
|
|

1  | Taylor Saghabi | 7  | 19  | 0.37  | 2011–present
2  | Joseph Ngauora | 3  | 8  | 0.38  | 2009–2011
Campbell Best | 3  | 11  | 0.27  | 2009–2015
4  | Teariki Mateariki | 2  | 6  | 0.33  | 2004–2007
Stenter Mani | 2  | 12  | 0.17  | 1996–2001
Nikorima Te Miha | 2  | 12  | 0.17  | 1998–2011
John Pareanga | 2  | 20  | 0.1  | 1998–2011

## Competition record

[edit]

### FIFA World Cup

[edit]

FIFA World Cup |  | Qualification

|
|

Year  | Host  | Round  | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Pos. | Pld | W | D | L | F | A
1930 to 1994 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member
1998 |  France | Did not qualify | First round | 2  | 0  | 0  | 2  | 1  | 4
2002 |  South Korea
Japan | First round | 4  | 0  | 0  | 4  | 2  | 25
2006 |  Germany | First round | 4  | 0  | 0  | 4  | 1  | 17
2010 |  South Africa | First round | 4  | 1  | 0  | 3  | 4  | 9
2014 |  Brazil | First round | 3  | 0  | 1  | 2  | 4  | 6
2018 |  Russia | First round | 3  | 2  | 0  | 1  | 4  | 2
2022 |  Qatar | Withdrew | Withdrew
2026 |  Canada
Mexico
United States | Did not qualify | First round | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3
2030 |  Morocco
Portugal
Spain | To be determined | To be determined
2034 |  Saudi Arabia
Total  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | 0/7 | 21  | 3  | 1  | 17  | 17  | 66

### OFC Nations Cup

[edit]

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
1996
1998 | Group stage  | 6th  | 2  | 0  | 0  | 2  | 0  | 19  | Squad | 4  | 2  | 1  | 1  | 8  | 11
2000 | 6th  | 2  | 0  | 0  | 2  | 1  | 22  | Squad | 4  | 3  | 0  | 1  | 8  | 5
2002 | Withdrew | Withdrew
2004 | Did not qualify | 4  | 0  | 0  | 4  | 1  | 17
2008 | 4  | 1  | 0  | 3  | 4  | 9
2012 | 3  | 0  | 1  | 2  | 4  | 6
2016 | 3  | 2  | 0  | 1  | 4  | 2
2024 | 2  | 1  | 0  | 1  | 1  | 1
Total | Group stage | 2/11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 41 | —  | 24  | 9  | 2  | 13  | 20  | 51

### Pacific Games

[edit]

Pacific Games record

Year  | Round  | Position  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA
1963 to 1969 | did not enter
1971 | Group Stage  | 6th  | 3  | 0  | 0  | 3  | 2  | 61
1975 to 1991 | did not enter
1995 | Group stage  | 7th  | 4  | 1  | 0  | 3  | 2  | 37
2003 | did not enter
2007 | Group stage  | 8th  | 4  | 1  | 0  | 3  | 4  | 9
2011 | 9th  | 4  | 1  | 0  | 3  | 4  | 15
2015 | N/A – tournament was U23
2019 | did not enter
2023[n 1] | Group stage  | 8th  | 2  | 1  | 0  | 1  | 2  | 9
Total  | Group stage  | 5/16  | 17  | 4  | 0  | 13  | 14  | 131

### Polynesia Cup

[edit]

Polynesia Cup record

Year  | Round  | Position  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA
1994 | did not enter
1998 | Runners-up  | 2nd  | 4  | 2  | 1  | 1  | 8  | 11
2000 | Runners-up  | 2nd  | 4  | 3  | 0  | 1  | 8  | 5
Total  | 2/3  | 0 Titles  | 8  | 5  | 1  | 2  | 16  | 16

## Head-to-head record

[edit]

Up to matches played on 5 September 2024.

Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | WPCT

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

American Samoa | 4  | 2  | 1  | 1  | 8  | 6  | +2  | 50.00
Australia | 2  | 0  | 0  | 2  | 0  | 33  | −33  | 0.00
Fiji | 4  | 0  | 0  | 4  | 2  | 26  | −24  | 0.00
Kiribati | 1  | 1  | 0  | 0  | 3  | 0  | +3  | 100.00
New Caledonia | 4  | 0  | 0  | 4  | 0  | 28  | −28  | 0.00
New Zealand | 1  | 0  | 0  | 1  | 0  | 2  | −2  | 0.00
Papua New Guinea | 2  | 0  | 0  | 2  | 1  | 20  | −19  | 0.00
Samoa[a] | 7  | 3  | 1  | 3  | 9  | 9  | 0  | 42.86
Solomon Islands | 5  | 0  | 0  | 5  | 2  | 37  | −35  | 0.00
Tahiti | 10  | 0  | 0  | 10  | 1  | 76  | −75  | 0.00
Tonga | 11  | 5  | 2  | 4  | 16  | 15  | +1  | 45.45
Tuvalu | 1  | 1  | 0  | 0  | 4  | 1  | +3  | 100.00
Vanuatu | 1  | 0  | 0  | 1  | 1  | 8  | −7  | 0.00
Wallis and Futuna | 1  | 1  | 0  | 0  | 2  | 1  | +1  | 100.00
Total  | 54  | 13  | 4  | 37  | 49  | 262  | −213  | 24.07

Source: Results
Notes:

1. ^ Includes results as Western Samoa.

## Historical kits

[edit]

1995 Home

1995 Away

2001 Home

2007 Home

2007 Away

2011 Home

2015 Home

2015 Away

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2022 Home

2022 Away

|

## Honours

[edit]

### Regional

[edit]

* Polynesia Cup
* Runners-up (2): 1998, 2000

## See also

[edit]

* Cook Islands national under-20 football team
* Cook Islands national under-17 football team
* Cook Islands women's national football team
* Cook Islands women's national under-17 football team

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ The Cook Islands men's national team were withdrew by the federation after the elimination from the group stage citing travelling issues for coming back from Honiara. The team didn't play the 5th place semi-final, nor the 7th place final

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
3. ^ "Cook Islands vs Solomon Islands". Elevensports. 23 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
4. ^ "Update on FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Oceania Qualifiers". Oceania Football Confederation. 23 March 2022. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
5. ^ "Antigo(a) Cook Islands camisas de futebol". Archived from the original on 14 June 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
6. ^ "KPI Sports". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
7. ^ "Cook Islands vs Tonga". Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
8. ^ "Cook Islands vs Tonga". Oceania Football Confederation. Archived from the original on 19 August 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
9. ^ "Final Squad". Facebook. Cook Islands Football Association.
10. ^ "Cook Islands". National Football Teams.

* "Cook Islands and Vanuatu out of FIFA World Cup qualifiers". 19 March 2022.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cook Islands national association football team.

* Cook Islands Football Association
* Cook Islands at OFC
* Cook Islands at FIFA
* Pictorial History of Cook Island Football Kits

* v
* t
* e

Cook Islands national football team

General|

* Cook Islands Football Association
* History

Venues|

* Avarua Tereora Stadium

Results|

* 1971–present

Players|

* List of players

Other CIFA teams|

* U-23
* U-20
* U-17
* Futsal

* v
* t
* e

Cook Islands squad – 1998 OFC Nations Cup

* GK Tiere
* GK Katoa
* DF T. Chambers
* DF Dickinson
* DF Drollett
* DF Nand
* DF Pareanga
* DF Tereu
* MF Mani
* MF Paniani
* MF Tauira
* FW J. Chambers
* FW Puroku
* FW Te Miha
* Coach: Napa

* v
* t
* e

Cook Islands squad – 2000 OFC Nations Cup

* 1 T. Jamieson
* 2 T. Chambers
* 3 M. Jamieson
* 4 Pareanga
* 5 N. Mani
* 6 Dickenson
* 7 Newnham
* 8 Tauira
* 9 J. Chambers
* 10 Puroku
* 11 D. Shepherd
* 12 Tereu
* 13 Drollett
* 14 Nand
* 15 J. Shepherd
* 16 Te Miha
* 17 Enjoy
* 18 S. Mani
* 19 Henry
* 20 Kairua
* 21 Paniani
* Coach: Taylor

* v
* t
* e

Football in the Cook Islands

Cook Islands Football Association

National teams|

| Men|

* National team
* Olympic (U-23)
* U-20
* U-17
* Variants (Futsal)

|

Women|

* National team
* U-20
* U-17

League system|

| Men|

* Championship

|

Domestic cups|

| Men|

* National Cup

|

International|

* Polynesia Cup (defunct)

Awards|

* Footballer of the Year
* Top scorers

Lists|

* All-time Table
* Champions
* Clubs
* International footballers
* Foreign players
* Venues

* Men's clubs
* Women's clubs
* Men's players
* Women's players
* Expatriate players
* Managers
* Referees
* Venues
* Seasons
* Records

* v
* t
* e

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.

* v
* t
* e

National sports teams of the Cook Islands

* Basketball
* M
* W
* Beach soccer
* Cricket
* M
* W
* Football
* M
* M U-20
* M U-17
* W
* W U-20
* W U-17
* Futsal
* Handball
* M-Y
* M-J
* Netball
* Rugby league
* M
* W
* Rugby union
* M
* M U-20
* M7
* W7

* Olympics
* Commonwealth Games

*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[Pld]: Played
*[W]: Won
*[D]: Drawn
*[L]: Lost
*[GF]: Goals for
*[GA]: Goals against
*[GD]: Goal difference
*[WPCT]: Win percentage
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template