Vanuatu’s beach soccer team is preparing to return to regional competition after six years, with head coach Terry Malapa confirming his final squad for the OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup in Tahiti.

Alick August has been named captain, while Charlie Boe will serve as assistant captain as Vanuatu prepares to compete against some of Oceania’s leading beach soccer teams.

Vanuatu is scheduled to begin its campaign against Papua New Guinea, with the team and officials expected to travel to Tahiti this weekend.

Squad faces possible change

Malapa said 12 players were included on the final travel list, but a situation had arisen that could prevent one player from travelling with the team.

He said management was communicating with the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) to determine whether a replacement could be approved after the final list had been submitted.

The final travelling squad will depend on the outcome of those discussions.

Vanuatu’s beach soccer history

Vanuatu has a history of competing at the top level of beach soccer in Oceania.

The team reached the final of the OFC Beach Soccer Championship in 2006, finishing as runners-up after losing 6–2 to the Solomon Islands.

In 2019, Vanuatu finished fourth after a close extra-time defeat to New Caledonia.

The return to the Nations Cup gives the team another opportunity to represent Vanuatu on the regional stage and build on its previous performances.

Vanuatu’s opening match against Papua New Guinea will mark the start of its campaign in Tahiti, as the team looks to make a strong return to Oceania beach soccer.