Home: Port Vila, Vanuatu
Coach: Lars Hopp
A nation known for its intense love of football, Vanuatu now has a first-ever professional football team in Vanuatu United FC.
Owned by the Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) and the Vanuatu government, the club was established through the Teouma Academy, that currently works to develop the next generation of football talent in the country.
Vanuatu has a rich history of producing talented teams and players in the Oceania region, with their men’s national team reaching the final of the OFC Men’s Nations Cup in 2024.
The country is also home to Brian Kaltak, Vanuatu’s first-ever professional football player. A two-time A-League champion in Australia with Central Coast Mariners, the centre-back currently plays for Perth Glory.
Christian Happel was appointed as Vanuatu United FC’s General Manager in September and is excited about what professional football in the country will mean to the game’s development across all levels.
“Football is much more than just a ninety-minute game. I strongly believe football should be deeply rooted in the community, and we want to become a club for all of Vanuatu—not just on match days but 365 days a year.
“I am fully aware that this is a unique moment in Vanuatu sports history. This is not only the first professional football club but the first professional sports club ever established in the country. That alone shows how courageous and visionary this project is.”
Lars Hopp has been brought in as coach, with the experienced German also taking on the role as coach of the Vanuatu men's national team, in a dual appointment.
Whilst Vanuatu clubs have enjoyed regular appearances at OFC club competitions, including the likes of Ifira Black Bird FC and ABM Galaxy FC, Vanuatu United FC aims to unite the country and provide a professional team that the entire football-loving nation can get behind.
It’s a sentiment that Happel is keen to stress.
“To the fans and the local community: you are at the heart of this project. Your support will be our foundation. This is not only our club—it is your club; a symbol of what Vanuatu can achieve when we dream big and work together”
The team has also adopted their nickname - The Chiefs - a nod to the most significant institutions in Vanuatu culture.
“Chiefs are symbols of leadership, respect, and responsibility — values that we aim to instill in our team and in the way we represent Vanuatu,” said Happel.
“Just as Chiefs lead with wisdom and protect their communities, we want our club to inspire, unite, and strengthen the football family across the islands.”
Vanuatu United FC Player Transfers
| NAME | POSITION | AGE | NATIONALITY |
| Matthew Acton | Goalkeeper | 33 | Australia / Finland |
| Kaloran Firiam | Goalkeeper | 31 | Vanuatu |
| Michel Coulon | Defender | 30 | Vanuatu |
| Raymond Diho | Defender | 19 | Papua New Guinea |
| Kerry Iawak | Defender | 29 | Vanuatu |
| Nicolas King | Defender | 21 | Vanuatu |
| Hassan Ramazani | Defender | 24 | Australia |
| Edward Roqara | Defender | 21 | Vanuatu |
| Jason Thomas | Defender | 28 | Vanuatu |
| William Cardona | Midfielder | 23 | USA |
| Robea Haruel | Midfielder | 25 | Vanuatu |
| Kalfter Kaltack | Midfielder | 28 | Vanuatu |
| Otto Ingham | Forward | 23 | New Zealand |
| Jordy Tasip | Forward | 25 | Vanuatu |
| Alex Saniel | Forward | 29 | Vanuatu |
| Owen Smith | Forward | 25 | New Zealand / England |
| Azariah Soromon | Forward | 27 | Vanuatu |
| Luka Tioni | Forward | 20 | Vanuatu |