Cook Islands men's national football team

History

Record defeat, Pacific Games and inactivity (1971–1991)

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 Cook Islands 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.

Foundation and the two OFC Nations Cup (1991–2001)

The Cook Islands Football Association was founded in 1991, and was shortly followed by the founding of the Cook Islands Round Cup in 1992 and FIFA membership in 1994.

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 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.

In 2001 during 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification, the Cook Islands faced New Zealand, the first fixture between the two. The Cook Islands held strong, keeping the opposition level at 0-0 until half time, until substitute Noah Hickey scored a brace to put the efforts of the Cook Islands defence in vein. Goalkeeper Tony Jamieson won player of the match, making at minimum 7 and maximum of 26 saves during the match.

Decline and struggles (2002–2025)

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

They returned to the South Pacific Games for the 2007 competition, where their only victory was a 4–1 win over Tuvalu. Four years later, at Nouméa 2011, they defeated Kiribati 3–0 but lost their other three matches. In 2012 OFC Nations Cup qualification, they drew with American Samoa and lost to Samoa and Tonga.

In the 2016 OFC Nations Cup qualifiers, they defeated Tonga 3–0 and Samoa 1–0, but lost their final match 2–0 to American Samoa. The Cook Islands finished third in the group, level on points with Samoa and American Samoa but behind both on goal difference.

In March 2022, the Cook Islands played their first match in seven years, losing 2–0 to the Solomon Islands in qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. They subsequently withdrew from their remaining matches due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

On 28 August 2023, the Cook Islands returned to international football against Tahiti, suffering a 9–1 defeat at the Stade Pater Te Hono Nui in Pirae.

Later that year, they took part in the 2023 Pacific Games, recording their first victory since 2015 with a 2–1 win over Tonga. Tremaine Rimene-Albrett scored a late penalty on his international debut to secure the victory. The Cook Islands then lost 8–0 to New Caledonia before withdrawing from the competition due to flight issues.

In March 2024, the Cook Islands competed in the qualifying tournament for the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup. They lost their opening match 1–0 to Samoa, before defeating Tonga 1–0 through a goal from Taylor Saghabi. The Cook Islands finished second in the three-team qualifying group and failed to advance to the final tournament.

Later that year, the Cook Islands returned to FIFA World Cup qualification for the first time since the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign. In the first round of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, they faced Tonga in a single-elimination match. Despite a goal from debutant Tacettin Kumsuz, the Cook Islands lost 3–1. They subsequently lost 2–1 to American Samoa in a friendly placement match, leaving them 11th among the 11 full OFC members.

Ruka era (2026–present)

In 2026, the Cook Islands Football Association announced a two-match friendly series against Tahiti, which would mark the Cook Islands' first full internationals at home in almost 30 years.

In September 2026, a shock call-up was given to Nikao Sokattak goalkeeper Tearii Scheel aged only 15.

They defeated neighbours and rivals Tahiti for the first time in their history, delivering a shock 3–2 result.

In October 2026, the Tuvalu Islands Football Association invited them to the 2027 Four Nations Cup alongside Kiribati and Tonga.

Kit sponsorship

Source:

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

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the Tahiti matches in September 2026.

Caps and goals are correct as of 30 September 2026, after the match against Tahiti.

Player records

As of 30 September 2026

Players in bold are still active with Cook Islands.

Competition record

Honours

Subcontinental

Polynesia Cup

Runners-up (2): 1998, 2000