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Men's association football team From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Guam national football team represents Guam, an overseas territory of the United States, in international football and is controlled by the Guam Football Association. They are affiliated with the Asian Football Confederation's East Asian Football Federation region.
| |||
| Nickname(s) | Matao (The Noblemen)[1] | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Guam Football Association | ||
| Confederation | AFC (Asia) | ||
| Sub-confederation | EAFF (East Asian) | ||
| Head coach | Dominic Gadia | ||
| Captain | Jason Cunliffe | ||
| Most caps | Jason Cunliffe (66) | ||
| Top scorer | Jason Cunliffe (26) | ||
| Home stadium | GFA National Training Center | ||
| FIFA code | GUM | ||
| |||
| FIFA ranking | |||
| Current | 203  1 (28 November 2024)[2] | ||
| Highest | 146 (August–September 2015) | ||
| Lowest | 207 (March 2022) | ||
| First international | |||
 Guam 1–5 Solomon Islands  (Tumon, Guam; 2 August 1975) | |||
| Biggest win | |||
Unofficial Guam 16–1 Pohnpei  (Koror City, Palau; 27 July 1998) Guam 15–0 Yap  (Koror City, Palau; 31 July 1998) Official Guam 9–0 Northern Mariana Islands  (Hagåtña, Guam; 1 April 2007) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
 North Korea 21–0 Guam (Taipei, Taiwan; 11 March 2005) | |||
| Pacific Games | |||
| Appearances | 5 (first in 1975) | ||
| Best result | Sixth place (1979) | ||
| Pacific Mini Games | |||
| Appearances | 1 (first in 1993) | ||
| Best result | Group stage (1993) | ||
| Micronesian Games | |||
| Appearances | 1 (first in 1998) | ||
| Best result | Runners-up (1998) | ||
Guam reached its highest ever position in the FIFA World Ranking at 146th in 2015 after victories over Turkmenistan and India.[3] Guam's first FIFA World Cup qualification match was played against Iran national football team at Tabriz.[4]
Football in Guam began in the 1960s, on the initiative of two pioneers: an Irish priest, Tony Gillespie, and an owner of a construction company, Charles Whang, who settled in Guam and created the Guam Soccer Cup before becoming the first president of the Guam Football Association in 1975.
Guam played its first international match at the 1975 Pacific Games against Solomon Islands, losing 5–1. This result was followed by an 11–0 loss to Fiji, eliminating them from the competition. In the 1979 Games, Guam again lost twice to New Caledonia 11–1 and New Hebrides 5–0. Progressing to the Consolation Tournament, Guam registered their first victories, beating Western Samoa 4–2, and Tuvalu 7–2 before losing again to New Hebrides, 5–1.
Despite being considered part of Oceania, and having never faced an Asian team to that point, Guam became an associate member of the AFC in 1991 but continued to participate in the Pacific Games.[5] In 1996, Guam became both a full member of the AFC and of FIFA.
As a full member of the AFC and FIFA, Guam played its first matches against Asian teams as part of the 1996 AFC Asian Cup qualification losing all three matches against South Korea (9–0), Vietnam (9–0), and Chinese Taipei (9–2).
In 1998, Guam played in the Micronesian Games, though the tournament was a 9-a-side competition with 80 minute matches. Guam finished top of the group stage but lost 3–0 to Northern Mariana Islands in the final.[6] Guam entered the 2000 Asian Cup qualification but finished last in their group again, losing to Vietnam (11–0), China (19–0), and Philippines (2–0).
Guam became one of the founding members of the East Asian Football Federation in 2002 and participated in the qualifiers for the inaugural 2003 East Asian Football Championship, finishing last again without registering a goal. The same is true for the 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification, beaten by Bhutan and Mongolia. For the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, Guam entered and was scheduled to face Nepal in the first round but both Nepal and Guam withdrew for financial reasons before their first match.
In the 2005 East Asian Football Championship qualifiers, Guam lost all four matches heavily, against Chinese Taipei (9–0), Hong Kong (15–0), Mongolia (4–1), and North Korea (21–0). Following these defeats, Guam entered the 2006 AFC Challenge Cup, a competition designed for emerging nations to help develop their football. Guam again lost all three matches to Palestine (11–0), Bangladesh (3–0), and Cambodia (3–0).
Guam advanced to the second stage of qualifying in the 2008 East Asian Football Championship by beating Northern Marianas 12–2 over two legs but they were eliminated in the next round by Chinese Taipei (10–0), and Hong Kong (15–1). In the 2010 East Asian Football Championship qualifiers, Guam managed to get its first victory over a FIFA member, beating Mongolia 1–0. They would go on to top the group before being eliminated at the next stage. Guam returned to the 2011 Pacific Games after a sixteen-year absence, but only managed to beat American Samoa 2–0, finishing second last and failing to advance to the knock-out stages.
Gary White became Guam's manager in 2012 and called-up players of Guamanian origin based in the United States like Ryan Guy and A. J. DeLaGarza to improve the level of his team. In the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup, Matao managed to advance past the first round by beating Northern Marianas (3–1) and Macao (3–0). Guam then participated in the 2012 Philippine Peace Cup, replacing Hong Kong, losing against Philippines (1–0) and Chinese Taipei (2–0) but beat Macao (3–0) in its final group game to finish third. Guam advanced to the second qualifying stage of both the 2015 and 2017 EAFF Championship finishing third and fourth respectively and failing to advance the final competition.
In 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, Guam beat Turkmenistan (1–0) and India (2–1), finishing fourth in their group and qualifying for the 2019 Asian Cup third round qualifiers, although Guam withdrew before the draw took place. Guam then failed to progress past the first qualifying round for the 2019 EAFF Championship.
During the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Guam beat Bhutan 5–1 over two legs but lost all eight of their second round matches and finished bottom of their group, scoring two goals and conceding 32.
After nearly not playing an international match for a year, Guam participated in the first round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification against Singapore, where they would ultimately lose 3–1 on aggregate.
Until 2011, the nickname of the Guamanian selection was Chamorros, in reference to the local population of Guam. When Gary White took charge of Guam, the team has changed their nickname to Matao, referring to highest social class in ancient Chamorro society in the Chamorro language. White also promoted the use of the Guam pledge before each match of the selection, referred to as the Inifresi.[7][8]
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
| 6 April 2024 2024 Marianas Cup | Northern Mariana Islands | 2–2 | Guam | |
| --:-- UTC+11 | Report |
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| 7 April 2024 2024 Marianas Cup | Northern Mariana Islands | 2–1 | Guam | |
| --:-- UTC+11 |
|
Report |
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| 14 December 2024 2025 EAFF E-1 preliminary | Macau  | 1–2 | Guam | Kowloon, Hong Kong |
| 14:00 UTC+8 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground Attendance: 534 Referee: Tam Ping Wun (Hong Kong) |
| 17 December 2024 2025 EAFF E-1 preliminary | Guam | v |  Hong Kong | So Kon Po, Hong Kong |
| 20:00 UTC+8 | Report | Stadium: Hong Kong Stadium |
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Samuel San Gil |
| Assistant coach |  Chris Malenab |
| Assistant coach |  Matt Holland |
| Goalkeeper coach |  Jeroen Bos |
| Video Analyst | Chris Malenab |
| Team Doctor | Dr. Luis Cruz |
| Physiotherapist | J.P. Thompson |
| Physiotherapist |  Walfred Javier |
| Team Manager | Vance Manibusan |
| High Performance Manager |  Pavel Gubenko |
| Media Officer | Jill Espiritu |
| Equipment Director | Thomas Castro |
Willie McFaul (1999–2003)
Sugao Kambe (2003–2005) Norio Tsukitate (2005–2009) Kazuo Uchida (2011–2012)
Gary White (2012–2016) Darren Sawatzky (2016–2017)
Karl Dodd (2017–2021)
Seo Dong-won (2021) Kim Sang-hoon (2021–2023) Ross Awa (2023–present)The following players were called up for the 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship preliminary competition.[9]
Caps and goals correct as of December 14, 2024, after the match against Macau.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | John-Michael Guidroz | January 1, 2004 | 1 | 0 | University of West Florida |
| 18 | GK | Josiah Jones | November 28, 2006 | 0 | 0 | Bank of Guam Strykers FC |
| GK | Dallas Jaye | June 19, 1993 | 22 | 0 | free agent | |
| GK | Zaine Rocca | June 28, 2007 | 0 | 0 | Total Futbol Academy | |
| 2 | DF | Morgan McKenna | January 16, 2003 | 1 | 0 | Muskingum University |
| 3 | DF | Takumi Ito | February 3, 2000 | 4 | 0 |  Ezra |
| 4 | DF | Kyle Halehale | June 3, 2002 | 11 | 0 | Mercyhurst University |
| 5 | DF | Leon Morimoto | December 18, 2001 | 5 | 1 | Loyola |
| 13 | DF | Anthony Quidachay | June 11, 2002 | 2 | 0 | Chatham Cougars |
| 15 | DF | Shane Healy | July 3, 1998 | 3 | 0 | Bank of Guam Strykers FC |
| 20 | DF | Levi Buckwalter | December 29, 2004 | 2 | 0 | Wings FC |
| DF | Isiah Lagutang | August 3, 1997 | 13 | 1 | Bank of Guam Strykers FC | |
| DF | Jonahan Romero | March 17, 1988 | 34 | 0 | SYC United | |
| DF | Nate Lee | May 6, 1994 | 11 | 0 | FC Frederick | |
| DF | Dane Agustin | January 23, 2006 | 2 | 0 | San Antonio FC Academy | |
| 6 | MF | Joey Ciochetto | October 22, 1996 | 4 | 0 | Irvine Zeta |
| 8 | MF | Alec Taitague | May 9, 2000 | 31 | 3 | Roanoke Maroons |
| 10 | MF | Jason Cunliffe (captain) | October 23, 1983 | 67 | 26 | Bank of Guam Strykers FC |
| 11 | MF | Nainoa Norton | April 3, 2004 | 2 | 0 | Olivet Nazarene University |
| 12 | MF | Nathan Sablan | August 10, 1993 | 0 | 0 | Rovers FC |
| 14 | MF | Jason Castro | July 6, 2007 | 1 | 0 | Strikers FC Irvine |
| MF | John Matkin | April 20, 1986 | 30 | 2 | Free agent | |
| MF | Jude Bischoff | April 26, 1992 | 1 | 0 | Guam Shipyard | |
| MF | Travis Nicklaw | December 21, 1993 | 36 | 1 | Free agent | |
| 7 | FW | James Gomez | September 15, 2004 | 3 | 0 | Claremont McKenna College |
| 9 | FW | Oz Rocca | August 10, 2004 | 3 | 0 | Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners |
| 16 | FW | Levi Berg | April 15, 2008 | 1 | 0 | Guam Shipyard |
| 17 | FW | Shuntaro Suzuki | October 21, 2005 | 1 | 0 | Wings FC |
| 19 | FW | Daniel Glasscock | May 19, 2004 | 1 | 0 | Manhoben Lalahi FC |
| FW | Marcus López | February 9, 1992 | 37 | 6 | Bank of Guam Strykers FC | |
| FW | Eddie Na | February 12, 1996 | 8 | 0 | Tacoma Stars | |
| FW | Ka'eo Gonsalves | January 6, 2005 | 2 | 0 | Richmond Kickers | |
The following players have also been called up to the Guam squad within last 12 months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
INJ Withdrew due to injury | ||||||
| Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jason Cunliffe | 66 | 26 | 2006–present |
| 2 | Ian Mariano | 42 | 3 | 2007–present |
| 3 | Dylan Naputi | 40 | 4 | 2011–present |
| Marcus Lopez | 40 | 6 | 2012–present | |
| 5 | Dominic Gadia | 36 | 0 | 2003–present |
| Mark Chargualaf | 36 | 0 | 2007–present | |
| 7 | Shawn Nicklaw | 35 | 2 | 2012–2019 |
| Travis Nicklaw | 35 | 1 | 2012–present | |
| 9 | Ryan Guy | 33 | 4 | 2012–2016 |
| Micah Paulino | 33 | 0 | 2008–2016 |
| Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jason Cunliffe | 26 | 66 | 0.39 | 2006–present |
| 2 | Matthew Naputi | 13 | — | — | 1998–2005 |
| 3 | Zachary Pangelinan | 8 | 12 | 0.67 | 2005–2008 |
| 4 | Marcus Lopez | 6 | 40 | 0.15 | 2012–present |
| 5 | Joshua Borja | 5 | 15 | 0.33 | 2009–2013 |
| 6 | Christopher Mendiola | 4 | 11 | 0.36 | 2007–2009 |
| Shane Malcolm | 4 | 29 | 0.14 | 2014–present | |
| Ryan Guy | 4 | 33 | 0.12 | 2012–2016 | |
| Dylan Naputi | 4 | 40 | 0.1 | 2011–present | |
| 10 | Elias Merfalen | 3 | 19 | 0.16 | 2005–2012 |
| Ian Mariano | 3 | 42 | 0.07 | 2007–present |
| FIFA World Cup | Qualification | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | ||||
| 1930 to 1998 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | ||||||||||||||||
 2002 |
Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 35 | |||||||||||
 2006 |
Withdrew | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||||
 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||
 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 |
Did not qualify | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 16 | |||||||||||
 2022 |
10 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 33 | ||||||||||||
  2026 |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||
   2030 |
To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||
 2034 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 0/7 | 22 | 3 | 1 | 18 | 11 | 87 | |||||||||||
| AFC Asian Cup | AFC Asian Cup qualification | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GS | GA | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | ||
 1956 | Not a member of the AFC | Not a member of the AFC | ||||||||||||||
 1960 | ||||||||||||||||
 1964 | ||||||||||||||||
 1968 | ||||||||||||||||
 1972 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1976 | ||||||||||||||||
 1980 | ||||||||||||||||
 1984 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1988 | ||||||||||||||||
 1992 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
 1996 | Did not qualify | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 27 | |||||||||
 2000 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 32 | ||||||||||
 2004 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||
   2007 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
| 2011 | Did not qualify | AFC Challenge Cup | ||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | Withdrew during qualification | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 16 | |||||||||
| 2023 | Did not qualify | 12 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 8 | 36 | |||||||||
| 2027 | Excluded during qualification | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | |||||||||
| Total | 0/18 | — | 30 | 3 | 1 | 25 | 14 | 125 | ||||||||
| East Asian Football Championship record | Preliminary competition | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
| East Asian Football Championship | |||||||||||||||
| 2003 |
Did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 22 | ||||||||
| 2005 |
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 49 | |||||||||
| 2008 |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 27 | |||||||||
| 2010 |
6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 28 | |||||||||
| EAFF East Asian Cup | |||||||||||||||
| 2013 |
Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 18 | ||||||||
| 2015 |
6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 6 | |||||||||
| EAFF E-1 Football Championship | |||||||||||||||
| 2017 |
Did not qualify | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | ||||||||
| 2019 |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | |||||||||
| 2022 |
Did not participate | Not held | |||||||||||||
| 2024 | To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||
| Total | - | 0/9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 10 | 5 | 21 | 48 | 160 | |
|
Pacific Mini Games
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Micronesian Games record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GS | GA |
 1998 | Runners-up | 2nd | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 52 | 7 |
| 2014 | Did not enter | |||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||
 2022 | To be determined | |||||||
| Total | Runners-up | 1/3 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 43 | 5 |
As of 14 December 2024
| Opponent | First | Last | Played | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Confederation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 American Samoa |
2011 | 2011 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | OFC |
 Aruba |
2014 | 2014 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | –2 | CONCACAF |
| Australia |
2012 | 2012 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | –9 | AFC |
 Bangladesh |
2006 | 2006 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | –3 | AFC |
 Bhutan |
2003 | 2019 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 | –2 | AFC |
 Cambodia |
2006 | 2021 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | –3 | AFC |
| China |
2000 | 2021 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 33 | –33 | AFC |
 Chinese Taipei |
1996 | 2016 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 52 | –39 | AFC |
 Fiji |
1975 | 1996 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 19 | –18 | OFC |
| Hong Kong |
2003 | 2016 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 59 | –55 | AFC |
 India |
2013 | 2015 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | –4 | AFC |
 Iran |
2000 | 2015 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 31 | –31 | AFC |
| North Korea |
2005 | 2016 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 42 | –39 | AFC |
| South Korea |
1996 | 1996 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | –9 | AFC |
| Laos |
2013 | 2013 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | AFC |
| Macau |
2003 | 2024 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 3 | AFC |
 Maldives |
2019 | 2019 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | –3 | AFC |
 Mongolia |
2003 | 2018 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 17 | –17 | AFC |
 Myanmar |
2013 | 2013 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | –5 | AFC |
 New Caledonia |
1979 | 2011 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 20 | –19 | OFC |
| Northern Mariana Islands |
2007 | 2024 | 15 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 48 | 18 | 30 | AFC |
 Oman |
2015 | 2016 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | –1 | AFC |
 Pakistan |
2008 | 2008 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 9 | –7 | AFC |
 Palestine |
2006 | 2006 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | –11 | AFC |
 Papua New Guinea |
1995 | 1995 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | –9 | OFC |
| Philippines |
2000 | 2021 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 13 | –12 | AFC |
| Singapore |
2015 | 2023 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | –2 | AFC |
 Solomon Islands |
1975 | 2011 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 24 | –22 | OFC |
 Sri Lanka |
2008 | 2008 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | –4 | AFC |
 Syria |
2019 | 2021 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | –7 | AFC |
 Tahiti |
1993 | 1993 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | –11 | OFC |
 Tajikistan |
2000 | 2000 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | –16 | AFC |
 Turkmenistan |
2015 | 2015 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | AFC |
 Vanuatu |
1995 | 2011 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | –2 | OFC |
| Vietnam |
1996 | 2000 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | –20 | AFC |
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