Sports · Football · 3 hrs ago
Robert Maaskant appointed coach of Tuvalu’s national football team
Dutch coach Robert Maaskant has signed a one-year deal to lead Tuvalu’s national football team.
Tuvalu is a small, remote island nation in the Pacific with fewer than 10,000 people.
Tuvalu is not a FIFA member, so its team cannot take part in qualifying for the next World Cup.
The country’s football association wants Maaskant to help develop the team and create more opportunities for Tuvaluan players.
His first major tournament is the Four Nations Cup in New Zealand in January.
Maaskant and Tuvalu’s Dutch technical director, Michiel van der Werf, also want to work towards making Tuvalu FIFA’s 212th member.
Robert Maaskant has been appointed coach of Tuvalu’s national football team on a one-year contract.
Tuvalu is not a member of FIFA and cannot take part in qualifying for the upcoming World Cup.
Maaskant’s first major tournament with the team is the Four Nations Cup, scheduled for January in New Zealand.
The Tuvalu Football Association wants to develop the national team and create new opportunities for Tuvaluan players.
Maaskant will be joined by Dutch assistant coach Thijs Matla and Tuvaluan assistants Nabil Alefaio and Pasene Siale.
- Who
- Robert Maaskant, 57, has been appointed coach of Tuvalu’s national team.
- What
- He has signed a one-year contract to coach the team.
- When
- The appointment was reported on October 23, 2026.
- Where
- Tuvalu, an island country in the Pacific Ocean.
- Why
- The Tuvalu Football Association wants to develop the national team and give Tuvaluan players new opportunities to grow as footballers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
NOS reported that Maaskant had signed a one-year contract to coach Tuvalu.
The Four Nations Cup is scheduled to take place in New Zealand and will be Maaskant’s first major tournament with Tuvalu.
- Contract
- One year
- Population
- Fewer than 10,000
- FIFA status
- Tuvalu is not a member and cannot enter qualifying for the upcoming World Cup
- First major tournament
- Four Nations Cup, scheduled for January in New Zealand
- Coaching staff
- Thijs Matla, Nabil Alefaio and Pasene Siale
3 sources
What people are saying
Het project is ludiek, maar wel degelijk serieus. Dat FIFA-lidmaatschap is ook onderdeel van dit verhaal.