Tahitian titan Tehau out to break new ground

Teaonui Tehau Photo: Supplied/FIFA

• Tahiti face New Caledonia in OFC's FIFA World Cup 26 qualifying semi-final later this month
• Victory in Wellington will give them a shot at reaching the globals finals for the first time
• National team captain Teaonui Tehau can't wait to take on the challenge

Teaonui Tehau knows what it takes to compete in FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers. Even so, speaking about the upcoming match against New Caledonia, the key to a shot at FIFA World Cup 26™, has him itching to get out on to the pitch.

"I think about it all the time," the 32-year-old told FIFA. "I guess there is a bit of pressure, but it's positive pressure. That's exactly what we need to get ready for this kind of match."

If they beat the Cagous, Tehau who is nicknamed Filou (meaning wily), and his team-mates will face the winner of the second semi-final between New Zealand and Fiji in the decider. A place in the final guarantees the victor a spot at the global showpiece, while the defeated side will head to the play-offs, which will see teams from all over the world competing for a place at the tournament. "This semi-final already feels like a final for us," he continued. "If we win, I think we will have achieved our main objective."

Ahead of this titanic clash in Wellington, FIFA looks at five things you might not know about one of Oceania's biggest footballing stars.

Football runs deep in the Tehau family

Eddy Etaeta, former coach of the Tahiti national team, decided to bring in some new faces in 2011. He turned to the generation that had just competed in the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009™, which included a certain Teaonui Tehau. The fleet-footed winger, aged 18, soon made his senior debut and was flanked by two other Tehaus: his cousins, Jonathan and Lorenzo. "It's different playing with family members," he said. "It makes things easier because we know each other very well."

A fourth family member joined in the adventure during the 2012 Oceania Cup: Lorenzo's twin brother, Alvin. The Tehau family, who scored 15 of Tahiti's 20 goals during the competition, helped the South Pacific island nation make history by winning the continental tournament for the first time. It was a major achievement in a competition that had previously been dominated by Australia and New Zealand.

Since this incredible family experience, each of the Tehau clan have gone their own way. Twelve years later, only Alvin and Teaonui are still part of the national team. Now senior players in the setup, the two have been given the task of passing on their legacy and helping the new generation climb to the top, while they have been joined by yet another Tehau.

"He's my little brother, and I'm proud to be playing with him in the national team," Teaonui said of his younger sibling, Roonui. "Although we play for the same club, AS Venus, there's something special when you get to represent your country together."

Eddy Etaeta, former coach of the Tahiti national team, decided to bring in some new faces in 2011. Photo: Supplied/FIFA

Priceless 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup memento

Following their victory in the 2012 Oceania Cup, Tahiti were handed a golden ticket to the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013™. It was an unforgettable experience for the Polynesian team. "Taking part in a Confederations Cup was a childhood dream for the likes of us, amateur players," said Tahiti's all-time top scorer with 28 goals.

The Tahitians faced a tough task in Group B, up against Spain, Nigeria and Uruguay. After a 6-1 defeat to the Super Eagles, the Tahitians were then soundly beaten by the reigning world champions Spain. However, rather than focussing on the result, Tehau and his team-mates cherish the unforgettable tales they have to tell.

"I never thought I would get to play against Spain," he admitted. "As if that wasn't enough, it was at the Maracanã. I happened to be standing next to Xavi in the tunnel before the match. I was mesmerised; I couldn't stop looking at him!"

Despite his team's eventual defeat to La Celeste, Tehau was able to savour one thing from that match. "At full-time, I chased Luis Suarez to get his shirt. He said yes and we took a photo. I was over the moon."

Tehau and his team-mates cherish the unforgettable tales they have to tell. Photo: Supplied/FIFA

He's a beach and court star

It's impressive enough playing more than 30 times for your national side, but being able to say you've pulled on the national shirt on multiple surfaces is something few on planet football can lay claim to.

"I'm on the beach soccer team too, and we're currently preparing for the [FIFA Beach Soccer] World Cup in May," explained the multi-talented Tahitian who, if he makes the trip to the Seychelles, could take his tally of World Cup appearances to three, after Russia 2021 and UAE Dubai 2024.

"I also competed in the Futsal Oceania Cup in 2019. It's a World Cup qualifying competition. We came third but that wasn't enough to qualify." No matter the surface, Tehau's mission never changes: "[I'll always] represent Tahiti with pride!"

"I'm on the beach soccer team too, and we're currently preparing for the [FIFA Beach Soccer] World Cup in May," he says. Photo: Supplied/FIFA

A day of two halves

Like all his team-mates, Tehau is not a professional player. As a result, he has to juggle his sporting schedule with his job as a plastics manufacturer.

"We don't make a living from football here. I work in the plastics industry, inspecting all plastic-based end products," he said. "I can't picture my life without football. I have already enrolled on a course to become a coach, and my first port of call will be the youth teams."

Tahitian coach Samuel Garcia praised his captain in an interview with FIFA in November 2024, and predicted a career in coaching for him: "I have nothing negative to say about him. He's next in command. I have complete confidence in him and I told him, 'I hope you'll step into my shoes one of these days'. I sincerely hope so. He is a big name in Polynesian football."

Tahitian coach Samuel Garcia praised his captain in an interview with FIFA in November 2024. Photo: Supplied/FIFA

Taking on World Cup challenge head-on

Tahiti know that they are just one game away from having a shot at making it to a first-ever FIFA World Cup. Despite so much riding on the occasion, however, Tehau says him and his team-mates are ready to tackle the challenge head-on.

"Right now, we're fully focused on the semi-final," he admitted. "That said, these new rules have given us another chance. The winner of the final qualifies directly for the World Cup, while the runner-up proceeds to the play-offs. Let's just say we'll have achieved our goal if we reach the final, and then who knows? We could cause an upset against New Zealand!

"We are brimming with confidence as we make our final preparations with the whole group to be ready for this major event. Tahiti's a small place. The lads and I get together almost every day, off the pitch. Eleven of us play for AS Venus in the national team, so that helps. We're a real group of friends."

-FIFA