The Papua New Guinea national soccer team, also known as the "Kapuls," is the representative team of Papua New Guinea in international soccer. Governed by the Papua New Guinea Football Association, the team is a member of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC).

History

The national team played its first international match in 1963 against Fiji. Over the years, Papua New Guinea has been a consistent participant in the OFC competitions but has faced challenges due to limited resources and competition from stronger teams in the region.

Major Successes

• Melanesia Cup: Papua New Guinea achieved success by winning the Melanesia Cup in 1988. This tournament involved neighboring countries and was a significant achievement for the team.
• OFC Nations Cup: The team's most notable recent achievement was reaching the final of the 2016 OFC Nations Cup. They finished as runners-up, losing to New Zealand on penalties. This was a historic performance for the team, marking their best result in the competition.

Notable Players

• Reginald Davani: As one of Papua New Guinea's most recognized players, Davani had a successful club career in Australia and played a key role in the national team during his active years.
• Raymond Gunemba: Known for his goal-scoring ability, Gunemba has been a crucial player for the national team, particularly noted for his performances in the 2016 OFC Nations Cup.
• David Muta: A long-serving captain, Muta has been an influential figure in the midfield and has earned respect for his leadership and dedication to the national team.

Notable Coaches

• Frank Farina: The former Australian international and coach, Farina, took charge of Papua New Guinea between 2014 and 2016. Under his leadership, the team reached the final of the 2016 OFC Nations Cup.
• Flemming Serritslev: Appointed in 2015, Serritslev continued the development of the team and helped in achieving remarkable results in regional competitions.

Papua New Guinea's national team continues to develop and aims to build on its regional successes to make a mark in international competitions.