OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup 2023

Tahiti’s Heiarii Tavanae does a back flip. OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup 2023 Final, Tahiti v Solomon Islands, Aorai Tini Hau, Papeete, Tahiti, Saturday 26 August 2023. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz

The seventh edition of the OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup took place in 2023 with the winner also qualifying for the 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup™ in the United Arab Emirates. It was the first edition of the tournament to be held after the COVID-19 pandemic and was hosted at the Aorai Tini Hau in Papeete, Tahiti for the second consecutive time. The tournament was contested between four nations, with all teams playing each other once in a round-robin format, before the top two progressed to the final. Hosts Tahiti were joined by the Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Tonga.

Tahiti’s Tamatoa Tetauira scores and celebrates the 2nd goal of te final. OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup 2023 Final, Tahiti v Solomon Islands, Aorai Tini Hau, Papeete, Tahiti, Saturday 26 August 2023. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz

Attempting to defend their continental crown, hosts Tahiti kickstarted their tournament with a massive 26-3 victory over Tonga, marked by a double hat-trick from Patrick Tepa. They continued their rampage with a big 10-3 win over the Solomon Islands, before wrapping up top spot with a closer 5-3 victory over Fiji on the final day. The battle for second was ultimately decided in the tournament’s opening fixture, when the Solomon Islands defeated Fiji 6-3, qualifying for their sixth OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup final.

Tahiti celebrate winning the OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup 2023 Final, Tahiti v Solomon Islands, Aorai Tini Hau, Papeete, Tahiti, Saturday 26 August 2023. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz

Two goals each from Heirauarii Salem and Teaonui Tehau propelled Tahiti to a convincing 7-0 victory over the Solomon Islands in the final at the Aorai Tini Hau, securing their second consecutive OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup title and qualifying for the 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup™. Salem was awarded the tournament’s golden ball, whilst his teammate Jonothan Torohia received the golden glove. Fiji’s Gabiriele Matanisiga won the golden boot with twelve goals, while the team received the fair play award and claimed bronze with a 12-0 win over Tonga in the third-place play-off.

Tahiti team perform Haka before the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 Group B match between Tahiti and Argentina at Dubai Design District Stadium on February 15, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Tullio Puglia – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Tahiti qualified for their seventh FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup™ at the 2024 edition in the United Arab Emirates. Despite being thrown into the group of death, the Tiki Toa managed to progress to the knockout stages with a 4-3 victory over Argentina, and a stunning 5-3 win over former runners-up Spain. Their run came to an end in the quarter-finals though, suffering a 5-2 defeat to Italy.