TheGuam national football team representsGuam , anoverseas territory of the United States, in men's internationalfootball and is controlled by theGuam Football Association . Affiliated withFIFA since 1996 and a member ofAFC since 1991.
Guam reached its highest ever position in the FIFA World Ranking at 146th in 2015 after victories overTurkmenistan andIndia .[ 4] Guam's firstFIFA World Cup qualification match was played againstIran national football team atTabriz .[ 5]
Beginnings (1960s–1990s)[ edit ] 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 theGuam Football Association in 1975.
Guam played its first international match at the1975 Pacific Games againstSolomon Islands , losing 5–1. This result was followed by an 11–0 loss toFiji , eliminating them from the competition. In the1979 Games , Guam again lost twice toNew Caledonia 11–1 andNew Hebrides 5–0. Progressing to the Consolation Tournament, Guam registered their first victories, beatingWestern Samoa 4–2, andTuvalu 7–2 before losing again toNew Hebrides , 5–1.
AFC and FIFA Member (1991–2011)[ edit ] Despite being considered part of Oceania, and having never faced an Asian team to that point, Guam became an associate member of theAFC in 1991 but continued to participate in thePacific Games .[ 6] In 1996, Guam became both a full member of the AFC and ofFIFA .
As a full member of the AFC and FIFA, Guam played its first matches against Asian teams as part of the1996 AFC Asian Cup qualification losing all three matches againstSouth Korea (9–0),Vietnam (9–0), andChinese Taipei (9–2).
In 1998, Guam played in theMicronesian 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 toNorthern Mariana Islands in the final.[ 7] Guam entered the2000 Asian Cup qualification but finished last in their group again, losing to Vietnam (11–0),China (19–0), andPhilippines (2–0).
Guam became one of the founding members of theEast Asian Football Federation in 2002 and participated in the qualifiers for the inaugural2003 East Asian Football Championship , finishing last again without registering a goal. The same is true for the2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification , beaten byBhutan andMongolia . For the2006 World Cup qualifiers , Guam entered and was scheduled to faceNepal in the first round but both Nepal and Guam withdrew for financial reasons before their first match.
In the2005 East Asian Football Championship qualifiers, Guam lost all four matches heavily, againstChinese Taipei (9–0),Hong Kong (15–0),Mongolia (4–1), andNorth Korea (21–0). Following these defeats, Guam entered the2006 AFC Challenge Cup , a competition designed foremerging nations to help develop their football. Guam again lost all three matches toPalestine (11–0),Bangladesh (3–0), andCambodia (3–0).
Guam advanced to the second stage of qualifying in the2008 East Asian Football Championship by beatingNorthern Marianas 12–2 over two legs but they were eliminated in the next round byChinese Taipei (10–0), andHong Kong (15–1). In the2010 East Asian Football Championship qualifiers , Guam managed to get its first victory over a FIFA member, beatingMongolia 1–0. They would go on to top the group before being eliminated at the next stage. Guam returned to the2011 Pacific Games after a sixteen-year absence, but only managed to beatAmerican Samoa 2–0, finishing second last and failing to advance to the knock-out stages.
Building the football structure (2012–present)[ edit ] Gary White became Guam's manager in 2012 and called-up players of Guamanian origin based in the United States likeRyan Guy andA. J. DeLaGarza to improve the level of his team. In the2013 EAFF East Asian Cup ,Matao managed to advance past the first round by beatingNorthern Marianas (3–1) andMacao (3–0). Guam then participated in the2012 Philippine Peace Cup , replacingHong Kong , losing againstPhilippines (1–0) andChinese Taipei (2–0) but beatMacao (3–0) in its final group game to finish third. Guam advanced to the second qualifying stage of both the2015 and2017 EAFF Championship finishing third and fourth respectively and failing to advance the final competition.
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In2018 FIFA World Cup qualification , Guam beatTurkmenistan (1–0) andIndia (2–1), finishing fourth in their group and qualifying for the2019 Asian Cup third round qualifiers , although Guam withdrew before the draw took place. Guam then failed to progress past the first qualifying round for the2019 EAFF Championship .
During the2022 World Cup qualifiers , Guam beatBhutan 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 the2026 FIFA World Cup qualification againstSingapore , where they would ultimately lose 3–1 on aggregate.
Until 2011, the nickname of the Guamanian selection wasChamorros , in reference to the local population of Guam. WhenGary White took charge of Guam, the team has changed their nickname toMatao , referring to highest social class in ancient Chamorro society in theChamorro language . White also promoted the use of the Guam pledge before each match of the selection, referred to as theInifresi .[ 8] [ 9]
Results and fixtures [ edit ] 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
Position Name Head coach Ross Awa Assistant coach Christopher MalenabAssistant coach Manfred PreschernGoalkeeper coach Jeroen BosVideo Analyst Christopher MalenabTeam Doctor Dr. Luis CruzPhysiotherapist Dr. Jon ThompsonPhysiotherapist Walfred JavierTeam Manager Vance ManibusanHigh Performance Manager Pavel GubenkoMedia Officer Jill EspirituEquipment Director Thomas Castro
The following players were called up for the2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship preliminary competition .[ 10]
Caps and goals correct as of December 14, 2024, after the match againstMacau .
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club 1 1 GK John-Michael Guidroz (2004-01-01 ) January 1, 2004 (age 21) 1 0 University of West Florida 18 1 GK Josiah Jones (2006-11-28 ) November 28, 2006 (age 18) 1 0 Bank of Guam Strykers FC 21 1 GK Dallas Jaye (1993-06-19 ) June 19, 1993 (age 32) 22 0 free agent 1 GK Zaine Rocca (2007-06-28 ) June 28, 2007 (age 18) 0 0 Total Futbol Academy2 2 DF Morgan McKenna (2003-01-16 ) January 16, 2003 (age 22) 3 0 Muskingum University 3 2 DF Takumi Ito (2000-02-03 ) February 3, 2000 (age 25) 4 0 Ezra 4 2 DF Kyle Halehale (2002-06-03 ) June 3, 2002 (age 23) 13 0 Mercyhurst University 5 2 DF Leon Morimoto (2001-12-18 ) December 18, 2001 (age 23) 5 1 Hunters Mongolia 13 2 DF Anthony Quidachay (2002-06-11 ) June 11, 2002 (age 23) 2 0 Chatham Cougars 15 2 DF Shane Healy (1998-07-03 ) July 3, 1998 (age 27) 3 0 Bank of Guam Strykers FC 20 2 DF Levi Buckwalter (2004-12-29 ) December 29, 2004 (age 20) 2 0 Wings FC 22 2 DF Isiah Lagutang (1997-08-03 ) August 3, 1997 (age 28) 13 1 Bank of Guam Strykers FC 23 2 DF Jonahan Romero (1988-03-17 ) March 17, 1988 (age 37) 34 0 SYC United2 DF Nate Lee (1994-05-06 ) May 6, 1994 (age 31) 11 0 FC Frederick 2 DF Dane Agustin (2006-01-23 ) January 23, 2006 (age 19) 2 0 San Antonio FC Academy 6 3 MF Joey Ciochetto (1996-10-22 ) October 22, 1996 (age 29) 4 0 Irvine Zeta 8 3 MF Alec Taitague (2000-05-09 ) May 9, 2000 (age 25) 31 3 Roanoke Maroons 10 3 MF Jason Cunliffe (captain ) (1983-10-23 ) October 23, 1983 (age 42) 69 26 Bank of Guam Strykers FC 11 3 MF Nainoa Norton (2004-04-03 ) April 3, 2004 (age 21) 2 0 Olivet Nazarene University 12 3 MF Nathan Sablan (1993-08-10 ) August 10, 1993 (age 32) 2 0 Mendiola 1991 14 3 MF Jason Castro (2007-07-06 ) July 6, 2007 (age 18) 1 0 Strikers FC Irvine 3 MF John Matkin (1986-04-20 ) April 20, 1986 (age 39) 30 2 Free agent 3 MF Jude Bischoff (1992-04-26 ) April 26, 1992 (age 33) 2 0 Guam Shipyard 3 MF Travis Nicklaw (1993-12-21 ) December 21, 1993 (age 31) 36 1 Free agent 7 4 FW James Gomez (2004-09-15 ) September 15, 2004 (age 21) 5 3 Claremont McKenna College 9 4 FW Oz Rocca (2004-08-10 ) August 10, 2004 (age 21) 3 0 Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners 16 4 FW Levi Berg (2008-04-15 ) April 15, 2008 (age 17) 1 0 Guam Shipyard 17 4 FW Shuntaro Suzuki (2005-10-21 ) October 21, 2005 (age 20) 3 1 Wings FC 19 4 FW Daniel Glasscock (2004-05-19 ) May 19, 2004 (age 21) 1 0 Manhoben Lalahi FC 4 FW Marcus Lopez (1992-02-09 ) February 9, 1992 (age 33) 39 7 Bank of Guam Strykers FC 4 FW Eddie Na (1996-02-12 ) February 12, 1996 (age 29) 8 0 Tacoma Stars 4 FW Ka'eo Gonsalves (2005-01-06 ) January 6, 2005 (age 20) 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 ]]بINJ Withdrew due to injuryPRE Preliminary squadRET Retired from the national teamSUS Serving suspension
As of December 22, 2024 Players inbold are still active with Guam. Jason Cunliffe is Guam's top goalscorer and their most-capped player2019 – Withdrew from the third tournament due to financial constraints.East Asian Football Championship [ edit ] East Asian Football Championship recordPreliminary 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 5 2 0 3 15 32 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 2025 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 2 6 Total – 0/9 0 0 0 0 0 0 39 11 5 23 52 171
AFC Challenge Cup recordQualification record Year Result Position Pld W D *L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA 2006 Group stage 16th 3 0 0 3 0 17 No qualification 2008 Did not qualify 3 0 0 3 4 18 2010 Did not enter Did not enter 2012 2014 Did not qualify 3 1 0 2 3 9 Total Group stage 1/5 3 0 0 3 0 17 6 1 0 5 7 27
Head-to-head record [ edit ] As of 14 December 2024
^ Mike Nauta Jr. (June 1, 2012)."Guam men's national soccer team now known as 'Matao' " .Marianas Variety . Guam. Archived fromthe original on March 17, 2014. RetrievedJune 2, 2012 . ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking" .FIFA . November 19, 2025. RetrievedNovember 19, 2025 .^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago."World Football Elo Ratings" .eloratings.net . November 23, 2025. RetrievedNovember 23, 2025 . ^ "FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking − Guam Men's Ranking" .fifa.com . FIFA. August 6, 2015. Archived fromthe original on October 31, 2013. RetrievedAugust 31, 2015 .^ "Biggest margin victories/losses" (PDF) . Archived fromthe original (PDF) on May 21, 2013. RetrievedNovember 19, 2023 .^ "HISTORY OF GFA" .Guam FA .Archived from the original on April 15, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2022 .^ Cruickshank, Mark."Micronesian Games 1998" .RSSSF .Archived from the original on July 13, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 2, 2023 . ^ Vénétitay, Guillaume (March 24, 2016)."Interview with Gary White" .So Foot .Archived from the original on February 4, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2022 . ^ Bate, Adam."Gary White: Life in Guam, coaching in Japan and dreams of England" .Sky Sports .Archived from the original on February 4, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2022 . ^ "Head Coach Kim calls up 22 to Matao for AFC Asian Cup Playoff" .GuamFA.com . Guam FA.Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. RetrievedOctober 9, 2021 . Media related toGuam national association football team at Wikimedia Commons
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