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Maldives national football team

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Maldives
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)The Sea, Red Snappers
AssociationFootball Association of Maldives (FAM)
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
Sub-confederationSAFF (South Asia)
Head coachIstván Urbányi
CaptainHamza Mohamed
Most capsImran Mohamed (110)
Top scorerAli Ashfaq (58)[1]
Home stadiumNational Football Stadium
FIFA codeMDV
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 173 Steady (7 October 2026)[2]
Highest124 (July–August 2006)
Lowest183 (August–September 1997)
First international
 Seychelles 9–0 Maldives 
(Saint-Pierre, Réunion; 27 August 1979)
Biggest win
 Maldives 12–0 Mongolia 
(Male, Maldives; 3 December 2003)
Biggest defeat
 Iran 17–0 Maldives 
(Damascus, Syria; 2 June 1997)
SAFF Championship
Appearances11 (first in 1995)
Best resultChampions (2008, 2018)
AFC Challenge Cup
Appearances2 (first in 2012)
Best resultThird place (2014)
Medal record
Men's football
SAFF Championship
Gold medal – first place2018 BangladeshTeam
Gold medal – first place2008 Maldives & Sri LankaTeam
Silver medal – second place2009 BangladeshTeam
Silver medal – second place2003 BangladeshTeam
Silver medal – second place1997 NepalTeam
Bronze medal – third place1999 IndiaTeam
South Asian Games
Silver medal – second place1991 ColomboTeam
Bronze medal – third place1984 KathmanduTeam
AFC Challenge Cup
Bronze medal – third place2014 MaldivesTeam

The Maldives national football team (Dhivehi: ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭ ގައުމީ ފުޓްބޯލް ޓީމް) represents the Maldives in international football and is controlled by the Football Association of Maldives. It is a member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The Maldives' most significant success was winning the 2008 SAFF Championship where they beat India in the final 1–0.[3] They won their second local title in 2018 SAFF Championship, once again by beating India in the final.

History

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At the 1987 South Asian Games held in Calcutta, the Football Association of Maldives did not have a separately assembled national team and sent Maldives National Championship winning club New Radiant to represent Maldives internationally under Sri Lankan coach Sumith Walpola.[4][5][6] The team failed to get past the group stage losing 0–1 to Pakistan, and 0–5 to eventual champions India.[citation needed]

Ibrahim Fazeel with the 2008 SAFF Championship trophy

The 2008 SAFF Championship draw, which took place on 26 February 2007, placed Maldives in group A, alongside Nepal, India, and Pakistan. Maldives started with a comfortable 3–0 win over Pakistan.[7] In their second match they defeated Nepal 4–1.[8] They lost their last group stage match against India, 0–1.[9] They advanced to the semi-finals and defeated Sri Lanka 0–1. They then advanced to the final for the third time in SAFF Championship history.[10]

In the final three minutes of full-time during the SAFF Championship final against the four time SAFF Championship Champions India, Mukhthar Naseer scored a single goal from a corner kick taken by Ali Ashfaq, winning the SAFF Championship for Maldives for the first time in their history. Maldives won the SAFF Championship by scoring nine goals and conceding two.[11] In 2008 SAFF Championship, Ali Ashfaq won the Best Player award.[citation needed] Maldives was the team who scored the most goals in this year's competition along with their rivals India.[citation needed] They were also the team who conceded the fewest goals in the tournament.[citation needed]

At the 2009 SAFF Championship, Maldives were drawn with the rivals India in group A, along with Afghanistan and Nepal.[12][13] In the semi-final, they defeated Sri Lanka with a comfortable score line of 5–1[14], but they lost 3–1 to eventual winners India from a penalty shootout in the final after playing 120 minutes without seeing a goal from either sides.[15] Ahmed Thoriq shared the top scorer award with Bangladesh's Enamul Haque and Sri Lanka's Channa Ediri Bandanage scoring four goals each in this competition.[citation needed] This was the second time Maldives lost the SAFF Championship final in penalties, and Bangabandhu National Stadium was the venue on both occasions.[citation needed]

At the 2013 SAFF Championship, Maldives were drawn in the group B alongside Afghanistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.[citation needed] They started the group stage by renewing their record of scoring the most goals by a team in a single game; winning 10–0 against Sri Lanka.[16] In this match, skipper Ali Ashfaq scored a double hat-trick and broke the record of India's IM Vijayan who holds the record of all-time top scorer of the tournament with 12 goals.[17] He also made a new record of scoring the highest number of goals by a single player in a match in the tournament.[citation needed] Remaining goals of this match came from Assadhulla Abdulla, Hassan Adhuham, Ali Fasir and Ali Umar.[citation needed] In their second match, Ali Ashfaq scored four goals and Ali Fasir scored a brace while Mohammad Umair and Ali Umar scored one goal each in the 8–2 win against Bhutan.[18] Maldives' third match of the group stage against Afghanistan ended goalless.[19] However, Maldives faced India for a record fourth time in a semi-final match of this competition, and never won a semi-final match against them as Maldives lost 1–0 in this semi-final match at the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal.[20] Ali Ashfaq won the Golden Boot Award, scoring 10 goals in the competition.[21] He now holds the record of competition's all-time top scorer with 18 goals, and the player to score the highest number of goals in one SAFF Championship; 10.[citation needed] India's IM Vijayan was the previous player to hold this record, scoring 6 goals in the 1997 edition.[citation needed]

Maldives hosted the 2021 SAFF Championship, failing to advance to the knockout round from the lone group phase, achieving victories over Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and losing against Nepal and India in their four matches.[22] The team was placed at the top of the table until the eventual defeat against India in the last match of the group stage.[23][24] Maldives left the tournament at the group stage with a win and two losses.[citation needed]

Team image

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Home stadium

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National Football Stadium (Dhivehi: ގައުމީ ފުޓުބޯޅަ ދަނޑު) is a multi-purpose stadium in Malé, Maldives. It is used mostly for football matches of the Dhivehi League, Maldives FA Cup, and International matches. The stadium holds around 11,850 spectators.[25]

Kits

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Kit supplier Period
Germany Adidas 2011–2015
Spain Joma 2015–2019
Spain Kelme 2019–2024
Maldives JERZIA 2025–present

Results and fixtures

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The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2025

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14 October 2025 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification Maldives  0–3  Tajikistan Malé, Maldives
15:30 UTC+5 Report (AFC)
Stadium: National Football Stadium
Attendance: 3,120
Referee: Mohanad Qasim Sarray (Iraq)
18 November 2025 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification Maldives  0–2  Philippines Malé, Maldives
15:30 UTC+5 Report (AFC)
Stadium: National Football Stadium
Attendance: 1,591
Referee: Ahmed Khalil (Bahrain)

2026

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1 June 2026 Diamond Jubilee Football Tournament Maldives  0–1  Afghanistan Malé, Maldives
21:00 UTC+5:30 Report
Stadium: National Football Stadium
Attendance: 1,028
Referee: Aditya Purkayastha (India)
4 June 2026 Diamond Jubilee Football Tournament Maldives  0–3  Pakistan Malé, Maldives
16:00 UTC+5:30 Report
Stadium: National Football Stadium
Attendance: 1,050
Referee: Ashwin Kumar (India)
7 June 2026 Diamond Jubilee Football Tournament Maldives  1–1  Bangladesh Olympic Malé, Maldives
21:00 UTC+5:30 Fasir 14' (pen.) Report Mirajul 54' (pen.) Stadium: National Football Stadium
Attendance: 2,150
Referee: Senthilnathan Sekaran (India)
24 September 2026 Friendly China  3–0  Maldives Chongqing, China
19:35 UTC+8
Report Stadium: Longxing Football Stadium
Referee: Asker Nadjafaliev
28 September 2026 Friendly Kyrgyzstan  5–0  Maldives Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
20:00 UTC+6
Report Stadium: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium
1 October 2026 (2026-10-01) Friendly Lebanon  6–0  Maldives Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
20:00 UTC+6
Report Stadium: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium
Referee: Alimardon Baynazarov (Kyrgyzstan)
8 November 2026 2026 SAFF Championship Maldives  v  Pakistan Dhaka, Bangladesh
15:30 +6:00 Stadium: National Stadium
11 November 2026 2026 SAFF Championship Maldives  v  India Dhaka, Bangladesh
15:30 +6:00 Stadium: National Stadium

Coaching staff

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Staff
Head Coach Hungary István Urbányi
Assistant Coach Maldives Ahmed Shakir
Maldives Ismail Mahfooz
Maldives Mohamed Imran
Goalkeeping coach Maldives Hassan Hameed
Fitness Coach Maldives Mueena Mohamed
Technical Director Maldives Ahmed Shakir
Kitman Maldives Ahmed Ismail
Physiotherapist Maldives Sharafudheen
Team Manager Maldives Shibah

Coaching history

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Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

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Current squad

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The following players were named in the squad for the 2026 Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament.[citation needed]

Caps and goals are correct 4 June 2026, after the match against Pakistan.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Hussain Shareef (1998-09-05) 5 September 1998 (age 28) 19 0 Football Association of Maldives Maziya
1GK Mohamed Faisal (1988-08-04) 4 August 1988 (age 38) 42 0 Football Association of Maldives New Radiant
1GK Mohamed Shafeeu (1988-07-22) 22 July 1988 (age 38) 1 0 Football Association of Maldives Odi Sports Club
2DF Aihu (1998-03-23) 23 March 1998 (age 28) 5 0 Football Association of Maldives Odi Sports Club
2DF Nashiu Ahmed Shiham 0 0 Football Association of Maldives Maziya
2DF Hassan Eenaaz (2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 26) 3 0 Football Association of Maldives T.C. Sports Club
2DF Amdhan Ali (1992-09-11) 11 September 1992 (age 34) 30 1 Football Association of Maldives Victory Sports Club
2DF Haisham Hassan (1999-07-21) 21 July 1999 (age 27) 42 0 Football Association of Maldives Maziya
2DF Thoif Gasim (2001-08-24) 24 August 2001 (age 25) 1 0 Football Association of Maldives Buru Sports Club
2DF Hussain Sifaau (1996-02-04) 4 February 1996 (age 30) 47 1 Football Association of Maldives Maziya
2DF Ahmed Abdulla (1987-03-11) 11 March 1987 (age 39) 33 1 Football Association of Maldives Maziya
3MF Ibrahim Aisam (1997-05-07) 7 May 1997 (age 29) 38 2 Football Association of Maldives Maziya
3MF Ahzam Rasheed (2007-09-18) 18 September 2007 (age 19) 3 0 Football Association of Maldives Odi Sports Club
3MF Ibrahim Waheed Hassan (1995-11-15) 15 November 1995 (age 30) 23 6 Football Association of Maldives Odi Sports Club
3MF Fatho (2002-07-05) 5 July 2002 (age 24) 14 0 Football Association of Maldives Maziya
3MF Nassah Ibrahim Nasir 25 0 Football Association of Maldives Maziya
3MF Ibrahim Mahudhee (1993-08-22) 22 August 1993 (age 33) 49 5 Football Association of Maldives Club Eagles
4FW Ali Fasir (1988-09-04) 4 September 1988 (age 38) 88 18 Football Association of Maldives New Radiant
4FW Abdulla Looth Ibrahim (2005-02-08) 8 February 2005 (age 21) 1 0 Football Association of Maldives Odi Sports Club
4FW Hamza Mohamed (Captain) (1995-02-17) 17 February 1995 (age 31) 74 7 Football Association of Maldives Maziya
4FW Ali Ashfaq (1985-09-06) 6 September 1985 (age 41) 101 58 Football Association of Maldives New Radiant
4FW Naiz Hassan (1996-05-10) 10 May 1996 (age 30) 59 12 Football Association of Maldives Maziya
4FW Mohamed Ilan Imran (2009-01-17) 17 January 2009 (age 17) 6 0 Football Association of Maldives Maziya

Recent call-ups

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The following players have also been called up to the squad within the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
FW Ethan Ibrahim Zaki (2008-06-11) 11 June 2008 (age 18) 1 0 Maldives New Radiant v.  Philippines, 18 November 2025
FW Ali Haafiz 1 0 Maldives Club Eagles v.  Timor-Leste, 31 March 2026

Player records

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As of 4 June 2026[27]
Players in bold are still active with Maldives.

Most appearances

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Imran Mohamed is Maldives' most capped player with 110 caps
Rank Player Caps Goals Period
1 Imran Mohamed 110 0 2000–2016
2 Ali Ashfaq 101 58 2003–present
3 Ali Fasir 88 18 2010–present
4 Akram Abdul Ghanee 85 2 2007–2022
5 Mohamed Umair 75 9 2007–2022
6 Hamza Mohamed 74 7 2015–present
7 Ibrahim Fazeel 72 22 2000–2014
8 Ashad Ali 63 3 2007–2021
9 Naiz Hassan 59 12 2015–present
10 Mohamed Arif 57 1 2008–2018

Top goalscorers

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Ali Ashfaq is Maldives' top scorer with 58 goals
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Period
1 Ali Ashfaq 58 101 0.57 2003–present
2 Ibrahim Fazeel 22 72 0.31 2000–2014
3 Ali Fasir 18 88 0.2 2010–present
4 Ahmed Thoriq 15 34 0.44 2003–2013
5 Naiz Hassan 12 59 0.2 2015–present
Ali Umar 12 45 0.27 1999–2015
7 Mohamed Nizam 10 42 0.24 1997–2004
8 Mohamed Umair 9 75 0.12 2007–2022
9 Asadhulla Abdulla 8 44 0.18 2012–2022
10 Adam Abdul Latheef 7 20 0.35 1997–2002
Hamza Mohamed 7 74 0.09 2015–present

Competitive record

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FIFA World Cup

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FIFA World Cup Qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D* L F A Pld W D L F A
Uruguay 1930 Part of  United Kingdom Part of  United Kingdom
Italy 1934
France 1938
Brazil 1950
Switzerland 1954
Sweden 1958
Chile 1962
England 1966 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
Mexico 1970
West Germany 1974
Argentina 1978
Spain 1982
Mexico 1986
Italy 1990 Withdrew Withdrew
United States 1994 Did not enter Did not enter
France 1998 Did not qualify 6 0 0 6 0 59
South KoreaJapan 2002 6 1 1 4 8 19
Germany 2006 8 3 1 4 18 14
South Africa 2010 2 1 0 1 2 3
Brazil 2014 2 0 0 2 0 5
Russia 2018 8 2 0 6 8 20
Qatar 2022 8 2 1 5 7 20
CanadaMexicoUnited States 2026 2 0 1 1 2 3
MoroccoPortugalSpain 2030 To be determinedTo be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total–0/8–––––– 42 9 4 29 45 143

AFC Asian Cup

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AFC Asian Cup Finals record AFC Asian Cup qualification
Year Result Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
British Hong Kong 1956 Part of  United Kingdom Part of  United Kingdom
South Korea 1960
Israel 1964
Iran 1968 Did not enter Did not enter
Thailand 1972
Iran 1976
Kuwait 1980
Singapore 1984
Qatar 1988
Japan 1992 Withdrew Withdrew
United Arab Emirates 1996 Did not qualify 6006430
Lebanon 2000 6006224
China 2004 201113
Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Vietnam 2007 Did not enter Did not enter
Qatar 2011 Did not qualify 200216
Australia 2015 AFC Challenge Cup
United Arab Emirates 2019 1851122444
Qatar 2023 11317827
Saudi Arabia 2027 To be determined
Total–0/19––––––45833440134

AFC Challenge Cup

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Year AFC Challenge Cup record Qualifying record
Result Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Bangladesh 2006IneligibleIneligible
India 2008IneligibleIneligible
Sri Lanka 2010Did not qualify320195
Nepal 2012Group stage310225321061
Maldives 2014Third place512277Qualified as hosts
TotalBest: Third place82249126411156

South Asian Football Federation Cup

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SAFF Championship record
Year Result Pld W D* L GF GA
Pakistan 1993Did not enter
Sri Lanka 1995Withdrew
Nepal 1997Runners-up412169
India 1999Third place4 2 116 4
Bangladesh 2003Runners-up5311114
Pakistan 2005Semi-finals4211112
Maldives Sri Lanka 2008Champions540182
Bangladesh 2009Runners-up5320113
India 2011Semi-finals412155
Nepal 2013Semi-finals4211183
India 2015Semi-finals420299
Bangladesh 2018Champions421153
Maldives 2021 Group stage420244
India 2023 Group stage310234
TotalBest: Champions502511149752
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
**Gold background colour indicates that the tournament was won.
***Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

Asian Games

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Asian Games record
Year Result Pld W D* L GF GA
1951-1994did not enter
Thailand 1998-200207
2002–present See Maldives national under-23 football team
Total1/13200207

South Asian Games

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South Asian Games record
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA
Nepal1984Third Place310219
Bangladesh19856th2002111
India19875th200206
Pakistan19895th201134
Sri Lanka1991Runners-up320122
Bangladesh19934th302113
India19955th201101
Nepal19994th420286
2004-present See Maldives national under-23 football team
Total8/132154121642

Honours

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Continental

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Regional

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Summary

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Only official honours are included, according to FIFA statutes (competitions organized/recognized by FIFA or an affiliated confederation).

Competition1st place, gold medalist(s)2nd place, silver medalist(s)3rd place, bronze medalist(s)Total
AFC Challenge Cup 0011
Total0011

See also

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Notes

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References

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  1. ↑ Mamrud, Roberto. "Ali Ashfaq – Goals in International Matches". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  2. ↑ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". 7 October 2026. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
  3. ↑ "Maldives win SAFF Championship with 87th minute goal". Indian Team. 14 June 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  4. ↑ "Dhivehi footboalha aa medhu ummeedhu ufahdhaidhin team". adhadhu.com. 10 August 2026. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "Dhivehi footboalha govaigen gadha kan'du gai fethi coach!". Mihaaru. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
  6. ↑ "Bainalaguvaamee mubaaraatheggai furathama faharah gaumee team ge furathama 11 gai 1 club egge kulhuntherin!". Mihaaru. 25 June 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
  7. ↑ "Maldives 3 – 0 Pakistan: Dream Start". maldivesoccer. 3 June 2008. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  8. ↑ "Maldives 4 – 1 Nepal: Host cruise to the semi-final". maldivesoccer. 5 June 2008. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  9. ↑ "Maldives 0 – 1 India: Unlucky hosts". maldivesoccer. 7 June 2008. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  10. ↑ "Sri Lanka 0–1 Maldives: Fazeel's wonder goal". maldivesoccer. 11 June 2008. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  11. ↑ "India 0–1 Maldives: New champions". maldivesoccer. 14 June 2008. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  12. ↑ "Hosts avoid India". The Daily Star. 4 October 2009. Archived from the original on 7 April 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  13. ↑ "Maldives 2 – 0 India: Champions through". maldivesoccer. 9 December 2009. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  14. ↑ "Maldives 5 – 1 Sri Lanka: Maldives enters final". maldivesoccer. 11 December 2009. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  15. ↑ "Maldives 0 – 0 India: India wins on penalties". maldivesoccer. 13 December 2009. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  16. ↑ "Maldives 10–0 Sri Lanka: Ashfaq hits six". maldivesoccer. 2 September 2013. Archived from the original on 6 October 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  17. ↑ "Record breaker". maldivesoccer. 3 September 2013. Archived from the original on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  18. ↑ "SAFF C'ship: Maldives 8 – 2 Bhutan". maldivesoccer. 4 September 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  19. ↑ "SAFF C'ship: Afghanistan 0 – 0 Maldives". maldivesoccer. 6 September 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  20. ↑ "SAFF C'ship: India 1 – 0 Maldives". maldivesoccer. 9 September 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  21. ↑ "Afghan lifts SAFF Championship". maldivesoccer. 12 September 2013. Archived from the original on 14 September 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  22. ↑ "Sunil Chhetri powers India to SAFF Championship 2021 final". Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  23. ↑ "SAFF Championship 2021 roundup: Maldives move to top spot after Nepal lose to India | Goal.com UK". www.goal.com. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  24. ↑ "SAFF Championship 2021 roundup: Maldives move to top spot after Nepal lose to India | Goal.com English Saudi Arabia". www.goal.com. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  25. ↑ "Rasmee Dhandu Stadium". worldstadiums. Archived from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  26. ↑ "Double Blue International". wesleycollegecolombo.info. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
  27. ↑ Mamrud, Roberto. "Maldives - Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
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