Summary: Cook Islands 1-3 Tonga in World Cup Qualifiers

We hope you enjoyed the broadcast of Cook Islands vs Tonga for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Continue visiting the VAVEL portal to stay up to date with all the information that emerges throughout the day.

Cook Islands continue to look for the center, but Tonga cuts off their advance Cook Islands substitution, Tupaia Ringi comes off for Emiel Burrows

Substitution from Cook Islands, Dwayne Tiputoa leaves for Ngametua Tahna Tuakana Substitution from Tonga, Lisiate Feke leaves for Topuluka Tuamoheloa

10 minutes of compensation are added

Amoni Fifita is beginning to show signs of fatigue and is forced to lie down on the pitch again due to fatigue

Cook Islands are looking for a goal, but Tonga are well positioned in defence

Hydration break

Low pace between both teams, where most of the game is in midfield

Substitution from Tonga, Viliami Tikoipau and Viliami Alipate Tukia leave for Christopher Latu 'Eiki'eua Kefu and Vilikisepi Tai

Cook Islands are pressing, but Tonga are fully engaged in defence

Cook Islands continue to press, they are looking for the draw

Tonga tries to create a counterattack, but the Cook Islands are on top

Cook Islands is pressing, but Tonga is completely stuck in the defense

Cook Islands are locked in their own area, unable to generate a counterattack

Tonga continues to press down the right flank, looking for a dangerous cross

Cook Islands, Paavo Mustonen comes off for Tremaine Rimene-Albrett

6 minutes of compensation are added 

Tonga keeps pressing, looking to generate the attack for the third goal 

Tonga's shot hits a defender, so another chance is missed

Hydration break

Cook Islands is turned upside down, looking for a dangerous action

Tonga dominates the ball, looking to create danger but they lose the ball.

Cook Islands is doing its job defensively and cuts off Tonga's advance.

Tonga continues to press, but they are unable to generate any danger

Cook Islands tries to look for space, but loses the ball in midfield

Tonga starts with ball control, playing from the back 

Tonga looks to get out with a long ball

Cook Islands vs Tonga at J.S. Blatter Football Complex Tuanaimato Field 1 (Main Stadium) in a match with a great attendance.

Both teams take the field to kick off this match at the J.S. Blatter Football Complex Tuanaimato Field 1 (Main Stadium), corresponding to the Asian Qualifiers match.

The locals are coming off a 1-0 win over Tonga in their last match, so Tonga will be looking to redeem themselves and take the win. Taylor Saghabi gave Cook Islands the win with a goal in the 38th minute.

This is the XI with which the visitors will take the field at the J.S. Blatter Football Complex Tuanaimato Field 1 (Main Stadium), in this World Cup Qualifiers match.

This is the XI with which the home team will take the field at the J.S. Blatter Football Complex Tuanaimato Field 1 (Main Stadium), duel corresponding to this World Cup Qualifiers match.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first World Cup with 48 participants, which will allow Oceania to have at least one direct qualifier for the first time in history. 
This Federation has been represented three times in World Cups: 1974 (Australia), 1982 (New Zealand), Australia (2006) and New Zealand (2010).

This will be the 9th meeting between the two teams since their inception, so they will want to start with all this commitment and get ahead, in addition to adding a crucial victory, they will seek to give everything, leaving the balance for Cook Islands with 4 wins, leaving 1 draw and 3 wins for Tonga.

The Main Stadium is a soccer stadium located on Talimatau Road, Tuanaimato in Apia, Samoa. It has a capacity of 3500 fans and has a natural grass pitch. 

The attacker of Tupapa, Taylor Saghabi, 33 years old, the attacker will play his first game this season with his club, in the past he played 3 as a starter and 0 as a substitute, managing to score 3 goals in the Cook Islands league and 0 assists, currently he has not debuted this season with a goal, but he will try to do to be in optimal conditions and start in a great way this campaign with his national team.

Veitongo FC attacker, Hemaloto Polovili 27 years old, the midfielder will play his fourth game this season with his club, in the past he played 2 as a starter and 0 as a substitute, managing to score 2 goals in the Tonga league and 0 assists, currently he has not debuted this season with a goal, but he will try to do to be in optimal conditions to continue with that rhythm of play with his national team.

A few minutes before kick-off, both clubs are already on the pitch in preparation for the match.

The fans are gradually arriving at the stadium, and an average attendance is expected for this World Cup Qualifying match.