Returning to defend their title on home sand, the Tiki Toa will begin their pursuit of a fourth consecutive OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup crown at Aorai Tini Hau in Papeete this week.
Oceania’s representatives at FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025™, Tahiti sharpened their game ahead of this year’s continental championships with a competitive international friendly series against 14th-ranked Switzerland.
“Overall, they went well and we’ve had a good run-up to the tournament,” says head coach and former Tiki Toa captain Raimana Li Fung Kuee.
“Playing matches at this level is always a good thing. It allowed us to make our final adjustments.”
History
Tahiti have dominated the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup in recent times, winning four of the last five editions of the tournament, including each of the last three dating back to 2019. They haven’t lost a match at the tournament since 2011, defeating the Solomon Islands in all four of their previous final appearances.
Tahiti have also appeared at eight FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups™, the most of any current OFC member association, finishing runners-up in both 2015 and 2017 – the best finishes that any OFC representative has achieved at a FIFA World Cup.
The Coach: Raimana Li Fung Kuee
Following an illustrious career on the sand for the Tiki Toa, former captain and Oceania legend Raimana Li Fung Kuee steps into the coaching role for his first major tournament.
“It’ll be a first for me as a coach,” says Li Fung Kuee. “Every tournament is different, and this one in particular because it’ll be my first as a coach, so naturally it’s special for me”
“It’s always an advantage and a pleasure to play at home because we’ll have the support of our families and the crowd.”
Li Fung Kuee will double as a player/coach, bringing invaluable top-level experience to the Tiki Toa, having featured in the sides that reached their historic back-to-back FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Final appearances in 2015 and 2017.
The Squad
Heading into their 2026 campaign, Tahiti bring back the core of their championship squad from 2024 alongside three exciting new additions.
Head coach Li Fung Kuee is keeping details under wraps for now “I’ve refreshed the squad a bit, but I’d rather let you see for yourselves—I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise!”
Player to Watch: Heirauarii Salem
At 28 years old, midfielder Heirauarii Salem returns to the Tiki Toa lineup as the engine of Tahiti’s attack following a standout year on the international stage. Salem took home the Golden Boot at the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup in 2024 with an 11-goal tournament campaign, and he arrives in peak form after finishing as the top scorer in the 2026 Swiss Beach Soccer League with a remarkable 33 goals.
A versatile dual-code athlete who also represented Tahitian club AS Pirae at the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup in 11-a-side football, Salem brings high-level finishing to the sand, making him the key player to watch as Tahiti kicks off their title defence.
Squad List
Match Schedule
(All matches played at Aorai Tini Hau, Pirae, Tahiti)
New Caledonia v Tahiti
Thursday 22 October, 4PM
Solomon Islands v Tahiti
Saturday 24 October, 4PM
Tahiti v Vanuatu
Monday 26 October, 4PM
Tahiti v Papua New Guinea
Tuesday 27 October, 4PM
How to Watch
OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup 2026 will be taking place in Papeete, Tahiti from 22-31 October. All the action will be available to watch LIVE and FREE on the OFC YouTube Channel