Vanuatu United FC

Vanuatu United
Full nameVanuatu United Football Club
NicknameThe Chiefs
Founded2025; 1 year ago (2025)
Ground
Capacity6500
OwnerVanuatu Football Federation
General managerChristian Happel
Head coachAlbert Riera
LeagueOFC Professional League
2026OFC Pro League: 4th
Current season

Vanuatu United Football Club, commonly known as Vanuatu United, is a men's professional association football club based in Vanuatu which competes in the OFC Professional League (OFCPL). Vanuatu United is also one of the eight founding clubs competing in the inaugural 2026 season.

History

Vanuatu FC was selected in August 2025 as one of the OFC Professional League's (OFCPL) eight charter clubs. The club plans to commence play in the league's inaugural 2026 season. On 11 September, the club was officially renamed to Vanuatu United FC stating that the name better reflects the clubs ambition to unite all football fans across the country. The league determines the Oceania representative for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Stadium

The club plays its home matches at the Freshwater Stadium.

Sponsorships

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Other sponsor(s)
2026– Football Central None Vanuatu Beverage

Players

First team squad

As of 29 September 2026

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  AUS Matt Acton
2 DF  VAN Edward Roqara
3 DF  VAN Jason Thomas
4 DF  AUS Hassan Ramazani
6 MF  VAN Kalfter Kaltack
7 FW  VAN Alex Saniel
10 FW  NZL Otto Ingham
11 FW  VAN Kathy Iamak
13 FW  VAN Azariah Soromon
14 DF  VAN Michel Coulon (captain)
15 DF  PNG Raymond Diho
16 DF  VAN Raoul Coulon
18 MF  USA William Cardona
19 FW  VAN Tony Kaltak
No. Pos. Nation Player
21 MF  NZL Owen Smith
22 GK  VAN Dgen Leo
23 GK  VAN Kaloran Firiam
— GK  DEN William Tønning
— DF  VAN Jeffrey Tasso
— DF  VAN Jack Wanemut
— DF  VAN Henry Namatak
— DF  VAN Semici Kaltack
— MF  VAN Claude Aru
— MF  VAN Andrew Malakai
— FW  VAN Joe Moses
— FW  VAN Bong Kalo
—  VAN Ala Leo Russell

Club officials

Technical officials

Position Name Ref.
Head coach Germany Lars Hopp
Assistant coach Vanuatu Richard Iwai

Management

Position Name Ref.
General manager Germany Christian Happel

OFC Professional League results

Season OFC Professional League Position Playoff Finals Top goalscorer(s)
Pld W L D GF GA GD Pts Name(s) Goals
2026 14 3 4 7 20 25 −5 13 7th 1st Semifinals Vanuatu Alex Saniel 11

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Auckland and Christchuch to enter OFC Professional League". Radio New Zealand. 29 August 2025. Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  2. ↑ Duerden, John (30 August 2025). "New Oceania soccer competition hopes to raise level of the sport in the Pacific region". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 30 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  3. ↑ Agence France-Presse (29 August 2025). "Clubs picked for 'historic' first Oceania pro football league". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 29 August 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  4. ↑ Hinge, Keith (28 August 2025). "OFC Confirms Vanuatu FC Among Eight Clubs for First-Ever Professional League". Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC). Archived from the original on 30 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  5. ↑ "Vanuatu FC Renamed "Vanuatu United FC" to Represent the Whole Nation". vff.vu. Vanuatu Football Federation. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  6. ↑
  7. ↑ "Lars Hopp Appointed as Head Coach of Vanuatu United FC". Vanuatu Football Federation. 17 October 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  8. ↑ Molivakoro, Vourie. "Iwai joins Vanuatu United FC as a coach". The Vanuatu Daily Post. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  9. ↑ "Vanuatu FC Joins OFC Pro League: Christian Happel Leads Nation's First Pro Club". Vanuatu Football Federation. 4 September 2025. Retrieved 4 September 2025.