Maldives national football team

Men's association football team

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

Maldives

Nickname(s)| The Sea, Red Snappers
Association| Football Association of Maldives (FAM)
Confederation| AFC (Asia)
Sub-confederation| SAFF (South Asia)
Head coach| Vacant
Captain| Ali Samooh
Most caps| Imran Mohamed (110)
Top scorer| Ali Ashfaq (58)[1]
Home stadium| National Football Stadium
FIFA code| MDV

First colours

Second colours

Third colours

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FIFA ranking
Current|  171  7 (10 July 2025)[2]
Highest| 124 (July–August 2006)
Lowest| 183 (August–September 1997)
First international
Seychelles 9–0 Maldives
(Saint-Pierre, Réunion; 27 August 1979)
Biggest win
Maldives 12–0 Mongolia
(Male, Maldives; 3 December 2003)
Biggest defeat
Iran 17–0 Maldives
(Damascus, Syria; 2 June 1997)
SAFF Championship
Appearances| 11 (first in 1995)
Best result| Champions (2008, 2018)
AFC Challenge Cup
Appearances| 2 (first in 2012)
Best result| Third place (2014)

Medal record

Men's football
SAFF Championship
| 2018 Bangladesh | Team
| 2008 Maldives & Sri Lanka | Team
| 2009 Bangladesh | Team
| 2003 Bangladesh | Team
| 1997 Nepal | Team
| 1999 India | Team
South Asian Games
| 1991 Colombo | Team
| 1984 Kathmandu | Team
AFC Challenge Cup
| 2014 Maldives | Team

The Maldives national football team (Dhivehi: ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭ ގައުމީ ފުޓްބޯލް ޓީމް) represents the Maldives in international football and is controlled by the Football Association of Maldives. It is a member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The Maldives' most significant success was winning the 2008 SAFF Championship where they beat the most successful team India in the final 1–0.[4] They won their second local title in 2018 SAFF Championship, once again by beating India in the final.

## History

[edit]

### South Asian Football Championship

[edit]

#### 1997 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup

[edit]

See also: 1997 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup

This was the third edition of SAFF Cup which was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, and it was Maldives' first campaign in this regional tournament.

Maldives was placed in the group B with India and Bangladesh, where they advanced into the semi-final as the group's second team with two points in hand. They drew their first match against Bangladesh with the help of Lirugham Saeed's only goal. In the second match, they drew against the India 2–2, in which Ibrahim Rasheed and Mohamed Nizam came scoring when the Red Snappers were at a two-goal deposit.

Maldives went on to win the semi-final match 2–1 against Sri Lanka with Shah Ismail and Mohamed Nizam on the scoreline, but lost the final match to India by 5–1, where Adam Abdul Latheef scored the only goal for Maldives.

#### 1999 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup

[edit]

See also: 1999 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup

In this edition of SAFF Cup, hosted in Fatorda Stadium, Goa, India, Maldives were grouped with Nepal and Sri Lanka, where Maldives finished at the top of the group B.

First match against Sri Lanka ended as a goalless draw while they managed to win 3–2 against the Nepal. Shah Ismail, Mohamed Wildhan and Mausoom Abdul Gafoor scored the goals for Maldives in this match.

Maldives had to face the two times SAFF Cup champion India in the semi-final and lost the game by 2–1, where Mohamed Wildhan scored against the Blue Tigers. Though they failed to qualify for the Final of the tournament, they claimed the bronze by defeating Nepal in the third place play-off match by 2–0. Mohamed Wildhan and Mohamed Ibrahim were the goal scorers.

Mohamed Wildhan shared the top scorer award with Nepal's Naresh Joshi, India's Baichung Bhutia and Bangladesh's Mihazur Rehman scoring three goals each in this competition.

#### 2003 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup

[edit]

See also: 2003 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup

In the 2003 SAFF Gold Cup held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Maldives were drawn in the group B along with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

Maldives won their first match 6–0 a record win of the highest number of goals scored by a team in a single match in this tournament history against Bhutan, with Maldives' first hat-trick in the regional tournament, scored by Ali Shiham. Mohamed Nizam, Ashraf Luthfy and Ali Umar scored one goal each in this victory. Despite the 1–0 loss to Bangladesh in the second match, Maldives won their third match against Nepal and they were through into the semi-final of the tournament as the group runners-up. Mohamed Nizam, Ashraf Luthfy and Ali Umar scored in their 3–2 win over Nepal.

Ibrahim Fazeel scored the only goal against Pakistan in the semi-final, which helped them to reach the final for the second time. Ali Umar's only goal in the second half helped Maldives to survive until the penalty shootout in the final match against Bangladesh, but Maldives lost 5–3 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium where Ahmed Naaz, Ismail Naseem and Ibrahim Fazeel succeeded to convert it from the spot but Ashraf Luthfy failed.

#### 2005 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup

[edit]

See also: 2005 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup

In 2005, the tournament was held in Pakistan and Maldives were drawn with Afghanistan and Sri Lanka along with the host Pakistan in group A.

Maldives started their campaign by breaking their own record created in the previous edition 2003, scoring a highest number of goals by a team in a single match. They won the first match 9–1 against Afghanistan. Ibrahim Fazeel and Ahmed Thoriq both scored a hat-trick while Ali Ashfaq scored a brace and Ali Umar scored their opener. They won their second match against Sri Lanka 2–0 with goals from Ali Ashfaq and Ali Umar, while they ended at the top of the group, leaving the host Pakistan in second even after the goalless draw against them in the final group stage match.

Even though Maldives lost the semi-final match against India by one goal to nil, the top scorer award was shared by three of the Maldivian players; Ibrahim hassan, Ali Ashfaq and Ahmed Thoriq scored three goals each.

#### 2008 SAFF Championship winners

[edit]

Imran

Sobah

Jameel

Assad (C)

Saeed

Shifan

Fazeel

Mukhthar

Ismail

Thoriq

Ashfaq

2008 SAFF Championship Final starting lineup on June 14, 2008, in Sugathadasa Stadium (Colombo).

See also: 2008 SAFF Championship

The 2008 SAFF Championship draw, which took place on 26 February 2007, placed Maldives in group A, alongside Nepal, India, and Pakistan. Maldives started with a comfortable 3–0 win over Pakistan, with the goals from Mohamed Shifan, Ahmed Thoriq and an own goal from Naveed Akram.[5] In their second match they defeated Nepal 4–1, with two goals apiece from Ismail Mohamed and Ibrahim Fazeel.[6] They lost their last group stage match against India, 0–1.[7]

They advanced to the semi-finals and defeated Sri Lanka 0–1, with a brilliant goal by Ibrahim Fazeel on a pass from Ali Ashfaq. They then advanced to the final for the third time in SAFF Championship history.[8]

In the final three minutes of full-time during the SAFF Championship final against the four time SAFF Championship Champions India, Mukhthar Naseer scored a single goal from a corner kick taken by Ali Ashfaq, winning the SAFF Championship for Maldives for the first time in their history. Maldives won the SAFF Championship by scoring nine goals and conceding two.[9]

In 2008 SAFF Championship, Ali Ashfaq won the Best Player award. Maldives was the team who scored the most goals in this year's competition along with their rivals India. They were also the team who conceded the fewest goals in the tournament.

The SAFF Championship was Maldives first ever gold medal in Maldivian Football history, and to celebrate this memorable day the President declared that 15 June 2008 will be a public holiday. The only goal scored in the final match, by Mukhthar, was his first international goal for the Maldives national football team.

#### 2009 SAFF Championship

[edit]

See also: 2009 SAFF Championship

Maldives were drawn with the rivals India in group A, along with Afghanistan and Nepal.[10]

Maldives started their campaign as the defending champions, facing a 1–1 draw where The Gorkhalis did not allow the red snappers win the match with the only goal by Ahmed Thoriq. In their second match they defeated Afghanistan by 3–1 with two goals from Ali Ashfaq and one from Ahmed Thoriq. Their next match against rival India on 9 December was won by 2–0, Ahmed Thoriq and Ibrahim Fazeel scoring the goals which took them into the semi-finals as group A winners, finishing the group stage ahead of India.[11]

In the semi-final, they defeated Sri Lanka with a comfortable score line of 5–1[12] where Ibrahim Fazeel scored two goals and Ahmed Thoriq, Ali Ashfaq and Ashad Ali scored one goal each, but they lost 3–1 to eventual winners India from a penalty shootout in the final after playing 120 minutes without seeing a goal from either sides. Ibrahim Fazeel was the only player to score in the penalty shootout for Maldives while Ahmed Thoriq, Mukhthar Naseer and Ali Ashfaq failed to convert it from the spot.[13]

Ahmed Thoriq shared the top scorer award with Bangladesh's Enamul Haque and Sri Lanka's Channa Ediri Bandanage scoring four goals each in this competition.

This was the second time Maldives lost the SAFF Championship final in penalties, and Bangabandhu National Stadium was the venue on both occasions.

#### 2011 SAFF Championship

[edit]

See also: 2011 SAFF Championship

The 2011 SAFF Championship hosted in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi was the tournament with Maldives' worst result. Even though Maldives managed to qualify for the semi-finals as the group winner, Maldives ended their campaign with only one win, two draws and losing one game, scoring and conceding 5 goals.

Maldives were in the group B, drawn with Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan. They drew 1–1 against Nepal with Ali Ashfaq's only goal and their second game against Pakistan ended goalless. Maldives finished the group stage with a 3–1 win over Bangladesh, with Ahmed Thoriq's brace and Ali Ashfaq's goal.

Maldives lost 3–1 to India in the semi-final, Shamweel Qasim scoring Maldives' only goal.

#### 2013 SAFF Championship

[edit]

See also: 2013 SAFF Championship

Maldives at the right against Bhutan at the 2013 SAFF Championship

Maldives were drawn in the group B alongside Afghanistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

They started the group stage by renewing their record of scoring the most goals by a team in a single game; winning 10–0 against Sri Lanka.[14] In this match, skipper Ali Ashfaq scored a double hat-trick and broke the record of India's IM Vijayan who holds the record of all-time top scorer of the tournament with 12 goals.[15] He also made a new record of scoring the highest number of goals by a single player in a match in the tournament. Remaining goals of this match came from Assadhulla Abdulla, Hassan Adhuham, Ali Fasir and Ali Umar.

In their second match, Ali Ashfaq scored four goals and Ali Fasir scored a brace while Mohammad Umair and Ali Umar scored one goal each in the 8–2 win against Bhutan.[16] Maldives' third match of the group stage against Afghanistan ended goalless.[17]

However, Maldives faced India for a record fourth time in a semi final match of this competition, and never won a semi final match against them as Maldives lost 1–0 in this semi final match at the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal.[18]

Ali Ashfaq won the Golden Boot Award, scoring 10 goals in the competition.[19] He now holds the record of competition's all-time top scorer with 18 goals, and the player to score the highest number of goals in one SAFF Championship; 10. India's IM Vijayan was the previous player to hold this record, scoring 6 goals in the 1997 edition.

#### 2018 SAFF Suzuki Cup winners

[edit]

See also: 2018 SAFF Championship

Faisal

Akram (C)

Samooh

Sifaau

Samdhooh

Nihan

Ibrahim

Fasir

Hamza

Mahudhee

Naiz

2018 SAFF Championship Final starting lineup on 15 September 2018 at Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

2018 SAFF Championship Final starting lineup on 15 September 2018 at Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Maldives was drawn in a group with Sri Lanka and India, where they drew with Sri Lanka at 0–0 and lost to India 2–0. Due to Maldives and Sri Lanka having accumulated the same points, a coin toss was held to decide which team will advance to the semi-finals against Nepal. Luck was in favor of Maldives as they won the coin toss and the match against Nepal 3–0.

This meant that Maldives would once against compete with India in the finals. During the first half of the match Maldives player Ibrahim Mahudhee scored the opening goal and in the second half Hamza Mohamed makes an excellent threaded through pass that allowed Ali Fasir to score the second goal for Maldives. India's Sumeet Passi scored a consolation goal for India in extra time.

The match ended with Maldives as the victors of the 2018 SAFF Suzuki championship making them the second team in the competition to have ever won the Cup more than once. Maldives goal keeper Mohamed Faisal won the MVP award of the competition for his work between the sticks.

#### 2021 SAFF Championship

[edit]

Ali Ashfaq (on right) against Bangladesh at the 2021 SAFF Championship.

Maldives hosted the 2021 SAFF Championship, failing to advance to the knockout round from the lone group phase, achieving victories over Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and losing against Nepal and India in their four matches.[20] The team was placed at the top of the table until the eventual defeat against India in the last match of the group stage.[21][22]

#### 2023 SAFF Championship

[edit]

Maldives left the tournament from group stage with a win and two losses.

### Asian Cup and World Cup qualifications

[edit]

President Abdulla Yameen attending the training session of Maldives national team, ahead of their World Cup qualifying match against Qatar.

Maldives has never qualified for such big tournaments and often classified as a weaker team in the continent. Nonetheless, Maldives achieved several impressive results. During 2006 World Cup qualification, Maldives stunned by drawing South Korea, an Asian powerhouse, 0–0 at home; and defeating Vietnam, a rising Asian team, in the same ground with an impressive 3–0. However, its worst defeat also occurred in the World Cup qualification as they were thrashed 0–17 by Iran in Damascus during 1998 World Cup qualification.

## Team image

[edit]

### Home stadium

[edit]

National Football Stadium (Dhivehi: ގައުމީ ފުޓުބޯޅަ ދަނޑު) is a multi-purpose stadium in Malé, Maldives. It is used mostly for football matches of the Dhivehi League, Maldives FA Cup, and International matches. The stadium holds around 11,850 spectators.[23]

### Supporters

[edit]

About 500,000 Maldivian supporters, including the former president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom, attended the 2008 SAFF Championship final match in Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka. After their win, supporters together with ministers, gave a warm welcome to the team. To celebrate this memorable day,;the president declared that 15 June 2008 will be a public holiday.

### Kits

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Maldives national football team kits.

Maldives' home kit comprises a red jersey and red shorts – red is the national colour of the Maldives, and represents the boldness of the nation's heroes. Current kit colours: Home consist bright red jersey, dark red shorts and bright red socks. Away consist blue sleeves with teal jersey, blue shorts, and teal socks. Teal is new away colour for away. Third consist either all white kit or all dark green kit or all black kit.

Kit supplier  | Period

|

Adidas | 2011–2015
Joma | 2015–2019
Kelme | 2019–2024
JERZIA  | 2025–present

## Results and fixtures

[edit]

Main article: Maldives 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]

Bangladesh v  Maldives 13 November 2024 (2024-11-13) Friendly|  Bangladesh | 0–1|  Maldives | Dhaka, Bangladesh

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18:00 BST (UTC+6) |  | Report | Fasir 18' | Stadium: Bashundhara Kings Arena
Referee: Virendha Rai (Bhutan)

Bangladesh v  Maldives 16 November 2024 (2024-11-16) Friendly|  Bangladesh | 2–1|  Maldives | Dhaka, Bangladesh

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18:00 BST (UTC+6) |

* Jony 43'
* Papon 90+4'

| Report | Fasir 23' | Stadium: Bashundhara Kings Arena
Referee: Virendha Rai (Bhutan)

### 2025

[edit]

India v  Maldives 19 March 2025 Friendly|  India | 3–0|  Maldives | Shillong, India

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19:00 UTC+5:30 |

* Bheke 34'
* Colaço 66'
* Chhetri 76'

| Report |  | Stadium: JLN Stadium
Attendance: 6,798
Referee: Prajwol Chhetri (Nepal)

Philippines v  Maldives 25 March 2025 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification|  Philippines | 4–1|  Maldives | Capas, Philippines

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19:00 UTC+8 |

* J. Tabinas 6'
* Kristensen 19'
* Schneider 77'
* Reyes 90+2'

| Report (AFC) |

* Fasir 62'

| Stadium: New Clark City Athletics Stadium
Attendance: 3,334
Referee: Daniel Elder (Australia)

Singapore v  Maldives 5 June 2025 Friendly|  Singapore | 3–1|  Maldives | Bishan, Singapore

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* A. Adli 7'
* Ikhsan F. 20', 32'

| Report |

* A. Rizuvan 90+1' (pen.)

| Stadium: Bishan Stadium
Attendance: 2,297
Referee: Razlan Joffri Ali (Malaysia)

Timor-Leste v  Maldives 10 June 2025 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification|  Timor-Leste | 1–0|  Maldives | Darwin, Australia

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16:00 UTC+9:30 |

* J. Pedro 45+1'

| Report (AFC) |  | Stadium: Territory Rugby League Stadium
Attendance: 1,048
Referee: Songkran Bunmeekiart (Thailand)

Sri Lanka v  Maldives 6 September Friendly|  Sri Lanka | v|  Maldives | Colombo, Sri Lanka

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\--:-- UTC+5:30 |  |  |  | Stadium: Colombo Racecourse

Sri Lanka v  Maldives 9 September Friendly|  Sri Lanka | v|  Maldives | Colombo, Sri Lanka

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\--:-- UTC+5:30 |  |  |  | Stadium: Colombo Racecourse

Tajikistan v  Maldives 9 October 2025 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification|  Tajikistan | v|  Maldives | Dushanbe, Tajikistan

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\--:-- UTC+6 |  |  |  | Stadium: Pamir Stadium

Maldives v  Tajikistan 14 October 2025 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification|  Maldives | v|  Tajikistan | Malé, Maldives

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20:00 UTC+8 |  |  |  | Stadium: National Football Stadium

Maldives v  Philippines 18 November 2025 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification|  Maldives | v|  Philippines | Malé, Maldives

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20:00 UTC+8 |  |  |  | Stadium: National Football Stadium

### 2026

[edit]

Maldives v  Timor-Leste 31 March 2026 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification|  Maldives | v|  Timor-Leste | Malé, Maldives

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\--:-- UTC+5:30 |  |  |  | Stadium: National Football Stadium

## Coaching staff

[edit]

Staff

Head Coach  | Vacant
Assistant Coach  |  Ahmed Shakir
Shuzair
Goalkeeping coach  |  Hassan Hameed
Fitness Coach  |  Mueena
Technical Director  |  Ahmed Shakir
Kitman  |  Ahmed Ismail
Physiotherapist  |  Sharafudheen
Team Manager  |  Shibah

### Coaching history

[edit]

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

* P.D. Sirisena (1988)
* Miklós Temesvári (1991–93)
* Victor Stănculescu (1993–96)
* Rómulo Cortez (1996–97)
* Vyacheslav Solokho (1999-2001)
* Jozef Jankech (2001–03)
* Manuel Gomes (2004)
* Yordan Stoykov (2005–07)
* Jozef Jankech (2008)
* István Urbányi (2009–10)
* Andrés Cruciani (2010–11)
* István Urbányi (2011–13)
* Ali Nashid (2013–14)
* Drago Mamić (2014)
* Velizar Popov (2015)
* Ismail Mahfooz (2015)
* Ricki Herbert (2015–16)
* Ismail Mahfooz (2016)
* Darren Stewart (2016–18)
* Petar Segrt (2018–19)
* Martin Koopman (2020–21)
* Ali Suzain (2021)
* Francesco Moriero (2021–2023)
* Ali Suzain (2024–2025)

## Players

[edit]

### Current squad

[edit]

The following players were named in the squad for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification match against Philippines on 25 March 2025.

Caps and goals are correct 25 March 2025, after the match against Philippines.

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

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1  | 1GK | Hussain Shareef |  (1998-09-05) 5 September 1998 (age 26) | 15  | 0  |  Maziya
18  | 1GK | Iyan Abdul Aleem |  (1994-01-29) 29 January 1994 (age 31) | 8  | 0  |  Maziya
22  | 1GK | Mohamed Yaameen |  (2005-10-08) 8 October 2005 (age 19) | 4  | 0  |  Victory SC

* * *

2  | 2DF | Ali Samooh (Captain) |  (1996-07-05) 5 July 1996 (age 29) | 46  | 1  |  Maziya
4  | 2DF | Hussain Sifaau |  (1996-02-04) 4 February 1996 (age 29) | 38  | 1  |  Maziya
14  | 2DF | Haisham Hassan |  (1999-07-21) 21 July 1999 (age 26) | 32  | 0  |  Maziya
3  | 2DF | Ahmed Numaan |  (1992-11-10) 10 November 1992 (age 32) | 28  | 0  |  Club Eagles
6  | 2DF | Ahmed Aiham |  (1998-03-23) 23 March 1998 (age 27) | 5  | 0  |  Odi Sports Club

* * *

10  | 3MF | Hamza Mohamed |  (1995-02-17) 17 February 1995 (age 30) | 63  | 7  |  Maziya
17  | 3MF | Ibrahim Mahudhee |  (1993-08-22) 22 August 1993 (age 31) | 41  | 5  |  Club Eagles
23  | 3MF | Hussain Nihan |  (1992-07-06) 6 July 1992 (age 33) | 36  | 1  |  Odi Sports Club
8  | 3MF | Ibrahim Aisam |  (1997-05-07) 7 May 1997 (age 28) | 29  | 2  |  Maziya
5  | 3MF | Mohamed Irufaan |  (1994-07-24) 24 July 1994 (age 31) | 18  | 0  |  Maziya
21  | 3MF | Mohamed Naim |  (1996-10-07) 7 October 1996 (age 28) | 13  | 0  |  Buru Sports Club
19  | 3MF | Ahmed Rizuvan |  (1995-06-04) 4 June 1995 (age 30) | 12  | 0  |  Club Eagles
16  | 3MF | Ibrahim Usamaa Majeed |  (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 26) | 9  | 0  |  Buru Sports Club
13  | 3MF | Mohamed Nizam |  (1994-06-11) 11 June 1994 (age 31) | 9  | 0  |  Super United Sports
12  | 3MF | Nisham Mohamed Rasheed |  (1999-01-31) 31 January 1999 (age 26) | 3  | 0  |  Club Eagles

* * *

7  | 4FW | Ali Fasir |  (1988-09-04) 4 September 1988 (age 36) | 75  | 14  |  Maziya
9  | 4FW | Naiz Hassan |  (1996-05-10) 10 May 1996 (age 29) | 47  | 10  |  Maziya
11  | 4FW | Hassan Raif Ahmed |  (1998-01-30) 30 January 1998 (age 27) | 17  | 3  |  Maziya
15  | 4FW | Hassan Nazeem |  (2001-05-24) 24 May 2001 (age 24) | 8  | 1  |  Maziya
20  | 4FW | Muzdhan Hassan |  (2006-05-04) 4 May 2006 (age 19) | 4  | 0  |  Odi Sports Club

### Recent call-ups

[edit]

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

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

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* * *

DF | Hassan Shifaz |  (1992-08-11) 11 August 1992 (age 33) | 11  | 0  |  Maziya | v.  Bangladesh; 16 November 2024

* * *

* * *

FW | Abdulla Looth Ibrahim |  (2005-02-08) 8 February 2005 (age 20) | 1  | 0  |  Maziya | v.  Bangladesh; 16 November 2024

## Player records

[edit]

As of 13 November 2024[24]
Players in bold are still active with Maldives.

### Most appearances

[edit]

Imran Mohamed is Maldives most capped player with 110 caps Rank  | Player  | Caps  | Goals  | Period

|
|
|
|

1  | Imran Mohamed | 110  | 0  | 2000–2016
2  | Ali Ashfaq | 98  | 58  | 2003–2023
3  | Akram Abdul Ghanee | 86  | 3  | 2007–2022
4  | Mohamed Umair | 77  | 9  | 2007–2022
5  | Ali Fasir | 75  | 16  | 2010–present
6  | Ibrahim Fazeel | 72  | 22  | 2000–2014
7  | Ashad Ali | 65  | 3  | 2007–2021
8  | Hamza Mohamed | 63  | 7  | 2015–present
9  | Mohamed Arif | 58  | 1  | 2008–2018
10  | Shafiu Ahmed | 53  | 0  | 2010–2017
Assad Abdul Ghanee | 53  | 1  | 2001–2013

### Top goalscorers

[edit]

Ali Ashfaq is Maldives top-scorer with 58 goals Rank  | Player  | Goals  | Caps  | Ratio  | Period

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1  | Ali Ashfaq | 58  | 98  | 0.59  | 2003–2023
2  | Ibrahim Fazeel | 22  | 70  | 0.31  | 2000–2014
3  | Ali Fasir | 16  | 75  | 0.21  | 2010–present
4  | Ahmed Thariq | 15  | 34  | 0.44  | 2003–2013
5  | Ali Umar | 12  | 42  | 0.29  | 1999–2015
6  | Mohamed Nazim | 10  | 42  | 0.24  | 1997–2004
Naiz Hassan | 10  | 43  | 0.23  | 2015–present
8  | Asadhulla Abdulla | 9  | 45  | 0.2  | 2012–2022
Mohamed Umair | 9  | 77  | 0.12  | 2007–2022
10  | Adam Abdul Latheef | 7  | 15  | 0.47  | 1997–2002
Hamza Mohamed | 7  | 63  | 0.11  | 2015–present

## Competitive record

[edit]

### FIFA World Cup

[edit]

FIFA World Cup |  | Qualification

|
|

Year  | Round  | Position  | Pld | W | D*  | L | F | A | Pld | W | D | L | F | A
1930 | Part of  United Kingdom | Part of  United Kingdom
1934
1938
1950
1954
1958
1962
1966 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member
1970
1974
1978
1982
1986
1990 | Withdrew | Withdrew
1994 | Did not enter | Did not enter
1998 | Did not qualify | 6  | 0  | 0  | 6  | 0  | 59
2002 | 6  | 1  | 1  | 4  | 8  | 19
2006 | 8  | 3  | 1  | 4  | 18  | 14
2010 | 2  | 1  | 0  | 1  | 2  | 3
2014 | 2  | 0  | 0  | 2  | 0  | 5
2018 | 8  | 2  | 0  | 6  | 8  | 20
2022 | 8  | 2  | 1  | 5  | 7  | 20
2026 | 2  | 0  | 1  | 1  | 2  | 3
2030 | To be determined | To be determined
2034
Total | – | 0/8 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 42 | 9 | 4 | 29 | 45 | 143

### AFC Asian Cup

[edit]

AFC Asian Cup Finals record  |  | AFC Asian Cup qualification

|
|

Year  | Result  | Position  | Pld | W | D*  | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA
1956 | Part of  United Kingdom | Part of  United Kingdom
1960
1964
1968 | Did not enter | Did not enter
1972
1976
1980
1984
1988
1992 | Withdrew | Withdrew
1996 | Did not qualify | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 30
2000 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 24
2004 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3
2007 | Did not enter | Did not enter
2011 | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6
2015 | AFC Challenge Cup
2019 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 24 | 44
2023 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 27
2027 | To be determined | To be determined
Total | – | 0/19 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 45 | 8 | 3 | 34 | 40 | 134

### AFC Challenge Cup

[edit]

Year  | AFC Challenge Cup record  |  | Qualifying record

|
|
|

Result  | Pld | W | D*  | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA
2006 | Ineligible | Ineligible
2008 | Ineligible | Ineligible
2010 | Did not qualify | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 5
2012 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1
2014 | Third place | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 7 | Qualified as hosts
Total | Best: Third place | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 6

### South Asian Football Federation Cup

[edit]

SAFF Championship record

Year  | Result  | Pld | W | D*  | L | GF | GA
1993 | Did not enter
1995 | Withdrew
1997 | Runners-up | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 9
1999 | Third place | 4 |  2  |  1 | 1 | 6 |  4
2003 | Runners-up | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 4
2005 | Semi-finals | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 2
2008 | Champions | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 2
2009 | Runners-up | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 3
2011 | Semi-finals | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5
2013 | Semi-finals | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 3
2015 | Semi-finals | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 9
2018 | Champions | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3
2021 | Group stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4
2023 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4
Total | Best: Champions | 50 | 25 | 11 | 14 | 97 | 52

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
**Gold background colour indicates that the tournament was won.
***Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

### Asian Games

[edit]

See also: Maldives national under-23 football team

Asian Games record

Year  | Result  | Pld | W | D*  | L | GF | GA
1951-1994 | did not enter
1998 | - | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7
2002–present  | See Maldives national under-23 football team
Total | 1/13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7

### South Asian Games

[edit]

South Asian Games record

Year  | Result  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA
1984 | Third Place | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9
1985 | 6th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 11
1987 | 5th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6
1989 | 5th | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4
1991 | Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2
1993 | 4th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3
1995 | 5th | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1
1999 | 4th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6
2004-present  | See Maldives national under-23 football team
Total | 8/13 | 21 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 42

## Head-to-head record against other countries

[edit]

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

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Afghanistan | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 7 | +6
Bahrain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | −4
Bangladesh | 20 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 27 | 30 | –3
Bhutan | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 6 | +29
Cambodia | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 3 | +32
China | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 14 | −13
Comoros | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | −1
Hong Kong | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | −3
India | 17 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 13 | −26
Indonesia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | −10
Iran | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 42 | −42
Kyrgyzstan | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 10 | −6
Malaysia | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 14 | –12
Mauritius | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0
Mongolia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | +13
Myanmar | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 12 | −8
Nepal | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 19 | 14 | +5
Oman | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 26 | −23
Pakistan | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 0
Palestine | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 13 | −12
Philippines | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 11 | −5
Qatar | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | −9
Réunion | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 | −18
Seychelles | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 21 | −11
Singapore | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 23 | −18
South Korea | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | –2
Sri Lanka | 16 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 31 | 15 | +16
Syria | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 35 | −31
Tajikistan | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | −5
Thailand | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 19 | −19
Turkmenistan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | −4
Vietnam | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1
Yemen | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1
Total | 173 | 45 | 27 | 101 | 207 | 463 | –256

## Honours

[edit]

### Continental

[edit]

* AFC Challenge Cup
* Third place (1): 2014

### Regional

[edit]

* SAFF Championship
* Champions (2): 2008, 2018
* Runners-up (3): 1997, 2003, 2009
* Third place (1): 1999
* South Asian Games
* Silver medal (1): 1991
* Bronze medal (1): 1984

### Awards

[edit]

* SAFF Championship Fair Play Award (2): 2015, 2021

### Summary

[edit]

Only official honours are included, according to FIFA statutes (competitions organized/recognized by FIFA or an affiliated confederation).

Senior Competition |  |  |  | Total

|
|
|
|

AFC Challenge Cup | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1
Total | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1

## See also

[edit]

* Maldives women's national football team
* Maldives national under-23 football team
* Maldives national football team results

## Notes

[edit]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Ali Ashfaq – Goals in International Matches". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
2. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
3. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
4. ^ "Maldives win SAFF Championship with 87th minute goal". Indian Team. 14 June 2008. Archived from the original on 17 June 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
5. ^ "Maldives 3 – 0 Pakistan: Dream Start". maldivesoccer. 3 June 2008. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
6. ^ "Maldives 4 – 1 Nepal: Host cruise to the semi-final". maldivesoccer. 5 June 2008. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
7. ^ "Maldives 0 – 1 India: Unlucky hosts". maldivesoccer. 7 June 2008. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
8. ^ "Sri Lanka 0–1 Maldives: Fazeel's wonder goal". maldivesoccer. 11 June 2008. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
9. ^ "India 0–1 Maldives: New champions". maldivesoccer. 14 June 2008. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
10. ^ "Hosts avoid India". The Daily Star. 4 October 2009. Archived from the original on 7 April 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
11. ^ "Maldives 2 – 0 India: Champions through". maldivesoccer. 9 December 2009. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
12. ^ "Maldives 5 – 1 Sri Lanka: Maldives enters final". maldivesoccer. 11 December 2009. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
13. ^ "Maldives 0 – 0 India: India wins on penalties". maldivesoccer. 13 December 2009. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
14. ^ "Maldives 10–0 Sri Lanka: Ashfaq hits six". maldivesoccer. 2 September 2013. Archived from the original on 6 October 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
15. ^ "Record breaker". maldivesoccer. 3 September 2013. Archived from the original on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
16. ^ "SAFF C'ship: Maldives 8 – 2 Bhutan". maldivesoccer. 4 September 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
17. ^ "SAFF C'ship: Afghanistan 0 – 0 Maldives". maldivesoccer. 6 September 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
18. ^ "SAFF C'ship: India 1 – 0 Maldives". maldivesoccer. 9 September 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
19. ^ "Afghan lifts SAFF Championship". maldivesoccer. 12 September 2013. Archived from the original on 14 September 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
20. ^ "Sunil Chhetri powers India to SAFF Championship 2021 final". Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
21. ^ "SAFF Championship 2021 roundup: Maldives move to top spot after Nepal lose to India | Goal.com UK". www.goal.com. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
22. ^ "SAFF Championship 2021 roundup: Maldives move to top spot after Nepal lose to India | Goal.com English Saudi Arabia". www.goal.com. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
23. ^ "Rasmee Dhandu Stadium". worldstadiums. Archived from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
24. ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Maldives - Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Maldives national association football team.

* Official website
* Maldives at AFC
* Maldives at FIFA
* Maldives Soccer Fansite (archived 20 April 2008)

* v
* t
* e

Maldives national football team

General|

* Football Association of Maldives
* History
* Players
* Managers
* Results

Venues|

* Rasmee Dhandu Stadium

Records|

* Competitive record
* All-time records

Goals|

* Ali Ashfaq

Tournaments|

* SAFF Championship
* AFC Challenge Cup

Notable matches|

* 2008 SAFF Championship final
* 2009 SAFF Championship final
* 2018 SAFF Championship final

Other teams|

* Men's
* U-23
* U-20
* U-17
* Women's
* Futsal

Links to related articles

* v
* t
* e

Maldives national football team – managers

* Temesvári (1991–93)
* Stănculescu (1994–95)
* Cortez (1996–97)
* Solokho (1998)
* Stoykov (1999)
* Stănculescu (1999–2000)
* Jankech (2001–03)
* Professor Neca (2003–04)
* Stoykov (2005–07)
* Jankech (2007–08)
* Urbányi (2009–10)
* Cruciani (2011)
* Urbányi (2011–13)
* Nashid (Ayya)c (2013–14)
* Mamić (2014)
* Popov (2015)
* Mahfoozc (2015)
* Herbert (2015–16)
* Mahfoozc (2016)
* Stewart (2016–18)
* Šegrt (2018–20)
* Koopman (2020–21)
* Suzain (2021)
* Moriero (2022–)

(c) = caretaker manager

* v
* t
* e

Football in the Maldives

Football Association of Maldives

National teams|

| Men|

* Maldives
* U-23
* U-20
* U-17

|

Women|

* Maldives
* U-20
* U-17

League competitions|

| Men|

* Dhivehi Premier League
* Second Division
* Third Division
* Malé League (defunct)

|

Women|

* Women's League (Proposed)

State/District|

* Jazeera Championship (men)

Cup competitions|

| Men|

* National FA Cup
* President's Cup
* Charity Shield

|

Women|

* Women's Championship

Past tournaments|

* POMIS Cup
* Cup Winners' Cup

Youth Tournaments|

| Men|

* Youth Championship

|

Veteran Tournaments|

| Men|

* Veteran's Cup

|

Awards|

* Maldives Football Awards
* FAM Awards
* Mihaaru Sports Awards
* Haveeru Sports Awards (Abolished)

Lists|

* List of Maldives international footballers
* List of clubs
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* v
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South Asian Football Federation (SAFF)

International competitions|

* SAFF Championship
* South Asian Games
* Women's Championship
* SAFF Club Championship
* SAFF Women's Club Championship

Youth competitions|

* U-20 Championship
* U-17 Championship
* U-20 Women's Championship
* U-17 Women's Championship

Member associations|

* Bangladesh
* Bhutan
* India
* Maldives
* Nepal
* Pakistan
* Sri Lanka

Football in South Asian countries|

* Bangladesh
* Bhutan
* India
* Maldives
* Nepal
* Pakistan
* Sri Lanka

National teams|

* Bangladesh
* M
* W
* Bhutan
* M
* W
* India
* M
* W
* Maldives
* M
* W
* Nepal
* M
* W
* Pakistan
* M
* W
* Sri Lanka
* M
* W

Domestic leagues|

* Bangladesh
* M
* W
* Bhutan
* M
* India
* M
* W
* Maldives
* M
* Nepal
* M
* W
* Pakistan
* M
* W
* Sri Lanka
* M

* SAFF
* FIFA
* AFC

* v
* t
* e

National men's football teams of Asia (AFC)

AFC Asian Cup

West Asia (WAFF)|

* Bahrain
* Iraq
* Jordan
* Kuwait
* Lebanon
* Oman
* Palestine
* Qatar
* Saudi Arabia
* Syria
* United Arab Emirates
* Yemen

Central Asia (CAFA)|

* Afghanistan
* Iran
* Kyrgyzstan
* Tajikistan
* Turkmenistan
* Uzbekistan

South Asia (SAFF)|

* Bangladesh
* Bhutan
* India
* Maldives
* Nepal
* Pakistan
* Sri Lanka

East Asia (EAFF)|

* China
* Chinese Taipei1
* Guam
* Hong Kong
* Japan
* Macau
* Mongolia
* North Korea
* Northern Mariana Islands2
* South Korea

Southeast Asia (AFF)|

* Australia
* Brunei
* Cambodia
* Indonesia
* Laos
* Malaysia
* Myanmar
* Philippines
* Singapore
* Thailand
* Timor-Leste
* Vietnam

Defunct|

* Malaya
* Manchukuo
* North Vietnam
* South Vietnam
* South Yemen

Former|

* Israel (moved to UEFA in 1994)
* Kazakhstan (moved to UEFA in 2002)
* New Zealand (formed the OFC in 1966)

* 1 Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, competes as "Chinese Taipei"
* 2 Not a member of FIFA

* v
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* e

National sports teams of the Maldives

* Badminton
* Basketball
* M
* W
* WU-18
* WU-16
* Cricket
* M
* W
* Football
* M
* MU-23
* MU-20
* MU-17
* W
* Futsal
* Volleyball
* M
* W

* Olympics
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Portals:

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