The Tonga National Men’s Football Team, led by Captain Hemaloto Polovili, has arrived in Samoa, poised to begin their campaign for a coveted spot in the second stage of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2026. The 22-man squad, who departed Tonga on the 27th of August, made a stop in Fiji before landing in Samoa, and they are now ready to take on the Cook Islands in a crucial match on Friday.
Captain Polovili, brimming with confidence, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s preparation so far. “The team is looking great in form. Everything we prepared for is coming into place, and I guess from the trip to Fiji up to now, we are ready to play,” Polovili stated in an interview with TFA website. Emphasizing the importance of the upcoming match, he added, “The game against the Cook Islands on Friday is a do-or-die match, so of course, we will give it our all.”
Before arriving in Samoa, the Tongan squad took part in two friendly matches in Fiji, where they faced off against Nadi FC and Ba FA at the Fiji Football Academy grounds in Ba. Although they were defeated in both encounters, the experience proved invaluable for the team’s development.
Coach Kilifi Uele reflected on the matches, noting the benefits of the experience despite the losses. “We both lost the game in Ba, but we benefited out of it because we were able to play every player, fix a few things, and there was a huge improvement in the players,” Uele shared with the TFA website. The friendly matches allowed the coaching staff to evaluate the entire squad, and Uele confidently stated, “We played all 22 players, and now I guess we already know our first eleven to play against the Cook Islands on Friday.”
The team has now settled into their accommodation at Alecs Hotel in Apia, Samoa, where they are making final preparations for the decisive match ahead. With the stakes high and the team in good spirits, Tonga’s national team is determined to make their mark and advance to the next stage of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
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