Tahiti United

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Tahiti United
Full nameAS Vénus Professional Football Club Tahiti United
Founded20 December 2024 (2024-12-20)
Ground
OwnerAS Vénus
CoachSamuel Garcia
LeagueOFC Professional League
2026OFC Pro League: 7th

AS Vénus Professional Football Club Tahiti United, commonly known as Tahiti United, is a men's professional football club based in Pīraʻe, Tahiti. Founded as the professional section of French Polynesian club AS Vénus, it commenced playing in the OFC Professional League (OFCPL) 2026 season.

History

Tahiti United FC was founded in December 2024, as part of AS Vénus' bid into the OFC Professional League (OFCPL), competing against rival bids from A.S. Pirae and A.S. Tefana.[1] They marketed the bid as an attempt to build a club representing "all Polynesians", and received the endorsement of the Tahitian Football Federation and Government of French Polynesia.[2][3] The bid successfully resulted in the club being chosen as one of eight charter members of the OFCPL in August 2025.[4][5][6][7][8] The league determines the Oceania representative for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Stadium

Tahiti United FC's intended home ground is Stade Pater Te Hono Nui in Pīraʻe. However, it will not be used until the 2027 Pacific Games.[2][9]

Sponsorships

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Short sponsor(s)
2026– Adidas Okipik Tahiti Sign, Hyundai , Airwell, Rexona

Players

First team squad

As of 13 January 2026

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  CAN Jackson Gardner
2 DF  TAH Mauri Heitaa
3 DF  TAH Kévin Barbe-Garcia
4 DF  TAH Kali Lenoir
5 DF  TAH Pothin Poma
6 MF  TAH Terai Bremond
7 FW  TAH Mathis Lacan
8 MF  TAH Roonui Tehau
9 DF  TAH Matatia Paama
10 MF  TAH Teaonui Tehau (captain)
11 FW  TAH Manuarii Shan
No. Pos. Nation Player
12 FW  FIJ Tevita Waranaivalu
13 FW  TAH Franck Papaura
14 MF  TAH Cédovan Taniel
15 FW  NCL Germain Haewegene
16 GK  TAH Jackson Teamotuaitau
17 DF  TAH Bradley Ruiz
19 DF  NCL Joseph Athale
20 MF  TAH Mana Teniau
21 FW  TAH Matéo Degrumelle
22 GK  TAH Niuhau Firiapu

Coaching staff

Technical officials

Position Name Ref.
Head coachFrench Polynesia Samuel Garcia
Assistant coachFrench Polynesia Moise Tetuanui
Strength and conditioning coachFrench Polynesia Léo Michelet
Goalkeeping coach
Physiotherapist

Management

Position Name Ref.
PresidentFrench Polynesia Tenae Tepa
General managerFrench Polynesia Temauiarii Crolas
Marketing managerFrench Polynesia Krystal Lorphelin
Communications managerFrench Polynesia Matthieu Fontaine
Liaison officerFrench Polynesia Nohonani Tepa

OFC Professional League results

Season OFC Professional League Position Playoff Finals Top goalscorer(s)
Pld W L D GF GA GD Pts Name(s) Goals
2026 14 4 5 5 20 28 −8 17 6th 3rd Challengers' play-off group French Polynesia Teaonui Tehau 7

See also

References

  1. de Laage, Waldemar (20 December 2024). "L'AS Vénus veut créer la première équipe professionnelle de Tahiti" [AS Vénus wants to create Tahiti's first professional team]. Radio 1 (in French). Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  2. Réné, Charlie (28 August 2025). "Tahiti United sera bien le premier club de foot professionnel polynésien" [Tahiti United will be the first professional Polynesian club]. Radio 1 (in French). Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  3. Bennett, N.; Huc, O. (13 March 2025). "Avec Tahiti United, le football polynésien fait un pas vers la professionnalisation" [With Tahiti United, Polynesian football takes a step towards professionalisation]. TNTV News (in French). Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  4. "Auckland and Christchuch to enter OFC Professional League". Radio New Zealand. 29 August 2025. Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  5. Duerden, John (30 August 2025). "New Oceania soccer competition hopes to raise level of the sport in the Pacific region". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 30 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  6. Agence France-Presse (29 August 2025). "Clubs picked for 'historic' first Oceania pro football league". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 29 August 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  7. Gamblin, Mereini (28 August 2025). "Tahiti United, premier club professionnel de football en Polynésie : une avancée historique qui change la donne dès 2026" [Tahiti United, the first professional football club in Polynesia: a historic achievement that transforms game from 2026]. Polynésie la 1ère (in French). Archived from the original on 30 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  8. J.P. (28 August 2025). "Tahiti United officiellement retenu pour intégrer l'OFC Pro League" [Tahiti United officially selected to join the OFC Pro League]. TNTV News (in French). Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  9. Rodor, Manu (29 August 2025). "Tahiti United est officiellement créé" [Tahiti United is officially founded]. Tahiti Infos (in French). Archived from the original on 30 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.