Timor-Leste national football team

The Timor-Leste national football team (Portuguese: Seleção Timorense de Futebol) represents Timor-Leste in the senior men's international football. It is organised by the Federação de Futebol de Timor-Leste (FFTL) which is affiliated with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the regional ASEAN Football Federation (AFF).. They became a member of FIFA on 12 September 2005. The team's traditional home kit is primarily faded red, often paired with black shorts and sometimes accented with yellow trim. Timor-Leste are colloquially known as "Lafaek" also known as 'The Crocodiles', an animal of prominent symbolic nature to the country.

Timor-Leste
Nickname(s)Lafaek (The Crocodiles)
O Sol Nascente (The Rising Sun)
AssociationFederação de Futebol de Timor-Leste (FFTL)
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
Sub-confederationAFF (Southeast Asia)
Head coachZé Pedro
CaptainGali Freitas
Most capsAnggisu Barbosa (30)
Top scorerJoão Pedro (8)
Home stadiumMunicipal Stadium of Dili
FIFA codeTLS
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 198 (22 December 2025)
Highest146 (June 2015)
Lowest206 (October 2012)
First international
 Sri Lanka 3–2 Timor-Leste 
(Colombo, Sri Lanka; 21 March 2003)
Biggest win
 Cambodia 1–5 Timor-Leste 
(Yangon, Myanmar; 5 October 2012)
Biggest defeat
 Timor-Leste 0–10 Saudi Arabia 
(Dili, Timor Leste; 17 November 2015)
 Timor-Leste 0–10 Thailand 
(Hanoi, Vietnam; 8 December 2024)
AFC Solidarity Cup
Appearances1 (first in 2016)
Best resultGroup stage (2016)
ASEAN Championship
Appearances4 (first in 2004)
Best resultGroup stage (2004, 2018, 2020, 2024)

Timor-Leste's international debut was in the preliminary round of the 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification in March 2003, when they lost 3–2 to Sri Lanka and 3–0 to Chinese Taipei. Timor-Leste won their first international match on 5 October 2012 against Cambodia with a score of 5–1.

History

Early history (2003–2017)

Football was established in East Timor during the Portuguese colonial era, when many of the locals and the Portuguese officials played amateur football. After Portugal ended its colonial rule, Indonesia invaded and occupied the island, which resulted in a long running battle against Jakarta-led forces. Timor-Leste eventually gained independence from Indonesia in 2002.

The East Timor Football Federation was accepted as an associate member of AFC at the 20th AFC Congress in 2002. Their international debut came in March 2003 when they participated in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification campaign for the 2004 AFC Asian Cup in China. Given their history, it was no surprise that they crashed out with defeats against the likes of Sri Lanka and Chinese Taipei. They then entered the regional competition for the first time in 2004 as they played in the 2004 AFF Championship as an invited member. They finished in last place, showing that they had a long way to go before they could compete even on the regional stage.

They again had no success in the 2007 AFF Championship qualification, with four heavy losses, including a 7–0 trouncing by the Philippines. The following year in the 2008 AFF Championship qualification, Timor-Leste surprisingly drew against Cambodia; this feat was reported in international news.

First win

In the 2012 AFF Championship qualification, the country's football federation (FFTL) reportedly selected their foreign based players, who played in Brazil, Portugal, Australia and elsewhere, to fortify the team as they also did at the 2011 SEA Games.

On 5 October 2012, Timor-Leste won their first international match in a 5–1 victory against Cambodia with goals coming from Murilo de Almeida who scored a brace, Adelino Trindade and Alan Leandro. On 9 October 2012, the team won another match against Laos in the qualification round as Murilo de Almeida scored a penalty at 43' minutes of the first half of the match. Later Adelino Trindade extended the Timorese advantage with a header early in the second half and then Alan Leandro added the third goal on the 83rd minute. After winning the second match against Laos, head coach Emerson Alcântara stated "This is a win for the people of East Timor. They had to wait a long time for our team to win their first match in this competition but now we have two wins and this was an important victory for Timor-Leste. "I think that about 70 percent of people in Timor Leste are poor so it is very important to get this result for them because they love football and the people can get confidence and take pride in this result. It is very important for us to motivate our people and to help to change their lives." With a win needed in the final fixture, Timor-Leste subsequently lost to Brunei 2–1 and finished in third place in the group, one point away from runners-up of the group, Laos as they went on to qualify for the 2012 AFF Championship. In the 2014 AFF Championship qualification, Timor-Leste secured a victory against Brunei winning them 4–2 in the process. In the next match, they caused an upset to Myanmar on 14 October 2014 which ended up in a goalless draw but that wasn't enough as Timor-Leste didn't make it to the 2014 AFF Championship.

2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round

Timor-Leste then participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification first round facing Mongolia where on 12 March 2015, they secured their first ever win against a country outside of Southeast Asia in a 4–1 win at the National Stadium of Timor-Leste. In the second leg, Timor-Leste travelled to Ulaanbaatar where they won 1–0 putting them on an aggregate of 5–2 seeing them advancing to the second round however on 12 December 2017, FIFA awarded both matches 3–0 to Mongolia due to Timor-Leste fielding numerous ineligible players. However, this was long after the Second round had been played, so Timor-Leste advanced and Mongolia were not reinstated. Timor-Leste were then grouped with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Palestine and Malaysia in Group A. On 11 June 2015, Ramon Saro scored in the 90+3' minute stoppage time which cause a huge upsets to Malaysia in a 1–1 draw at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium which Timor-Leste got their first ever point in the campaign. On 8 October 2015 while playing at home, Ramon Saro break the deadlock as they lead against Palestine however in the dying minute of the match, Ahmad Abu Nahyeh equalise for Palestine in 1–1 draw as it gains media attention from the Southeast Asia region. However, Timor-Leste has to forfeited five of their group matches due to fielding numerous ineligible players. Since their last match against Saudi Arabia on 17 November 2015, Timor-Leste has been playing their home match overboard as their National Stadium of Timor-Leste in Dili failed to meet FIFA standards which also see them finishing at the bottom of the table. During the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification match, Timor-Leste played their home match at the Tan Sri Dato Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium in Johor Bahru playing against Malaysia.

Timor-Leste then participated in the 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup held in Kuching where they snatched a goalless draw against Nepal. They were also invited to the 2017 CTFA International Tournament where in the match against the Philippines, Silveiro Garcia scored the only goal in the match as Timor-Leste gains a win in the tournament.

Back-to-back AFF Championships (2018–2020)

Timor-Leste then qualified to the 2018 AFF Championship for the first time in 14 years winning the 2018 AFF Championship qualification against Brunei on an aggregate of 3–2. They will play their designated "home" match against Thailand at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, while their home tie against the Philippines will be played at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium in Malaysia due to the incomplete floodlighting of the National Stadium of Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste then qualified for the 2020 AFF Championship automatically after the withdrawal of Brunei in the qualification play-off.

Young star in the making (2021–present)

During the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification – play-off round first leg match on 5 September 2024, João Pedro became the first player in Timorese history to score a hat-trick in a 4–1 win over Mongolia while playing on neutral ground at the Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium held in Gianyar, Bali. In October 2024, Timor Leste then played against Brunei who is also on a five-game winning streak for the 2024 ASEAN Championship qualification. Timor Leste ended up victorious winning 1–0 on aggregate where Gali Freitas scored the goal to ensure the team qualified for the 2024 ASEAN Championship, where they will play their matches at Hàng Đẫy Stadium in Hanoi.

2024 ASEAN Championship

As of 28 December 2024, Timor-Leste's performance at the 2024 ASEAN Championship has been poor, ending in a string of defeats that resulted in their early elimination. The squad competed in four matches, beginning with a devastating loss to Thailand on 8 December suffering their worst ever defeat since 2015 with a 10–0 thrasing defeat scoreline. Following that, they met Malaysia on 11 December, putting up a valiant battle but ultimately lost 2–3. Their difficulties continued against Singapore on 14 December with a 0–3 defeat. Timor-Leste met Cambodia in their last group stage match on 17 December and fell to a 1–2 defeat.

Timor-Leste finished with a record of four losses, two goals scored, and an incredible eighteen goals conceded, resulting in a goal differential of -16. They were unable to gain any victories during the tournament. They became the first team to be eliminated from the 2024 ASEAN Championship.

During the third round of 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification on 10 June 2025, João Pedro scored the lone goal in a 1–0 win against Maldives which put him to become the all time top scorer for Timor-Leste.

Eligibility of players controversy

Since 2012, several Brazilian-born footballers, who are not of East Timorese descent and had not necessarily played in the East Timorese League, were expressly naturalised.

The country's recent history of naturalising foreign players such as Murilo de Almeida, Fellipe Bertoldo, Diogo Rangel, Rodrigo Silva, Jairo Neto, Ramon Saro, Alan Leandro, Thiago Cunha, Juninho and Heberty has been criticized by many, including native East Timorese players and fans.

In a match on 8 October 2015 against Palestine seven of the starting eleven for the Timorese line-up were naturalized Brazilians. Following the match the Palestinian Football Association made a complaint to FIFA stating that the naturalized Timorese players were not eligible to represent Timor-Leste under FIFA rules.

Following a concern from some Timorese who complained to the prime minister, the prosecutor general and the minister for justice regarding the naturalisation program, Timor Leste Football Federation (FFTL) decided to drop their overseas-born legion. It meant Timor-Leste would be without seven naturalised Brazilian players for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2019 AFC Asian Cup joint qualifiers match against United Arab Emirates on 12 November 2015. In that match, coach Fernando Alcântara played an all national line up including six who were under twenty, including Ervino Soares who was 16. Timor-Leste ended up losing the match 8–0. Alcântara took responsibility for the defeat although he also added that he had been forced to play such an inexperienced line-up by the FFTL.

The next match, Timor-Leste did even worse, suffering a record 0–10 home defeat to a strong Saudi Arabia side, who eventually qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Jesse Pinto, an Australian-Timorese footballer, told reporters that the FFTL gives Brazilian players Timorese passports so that they can be registered as "Asian" players and meet the quotas of teams. Pinto also added that the FFTL often takes advantage of players from poor backgrounds, but that it often did not meet its promises of allowing players to travel back to Brazil to meet their families.

In December 2016, the FFTL was charged with using forged and falsified documents, fielding ineligible players and bringing the game into disrepute.

A decision was made on 20 January 2017 that Timor-Leste is barred from participating in the qualification tournament for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup after being found to have fielded a total of twelve ineligible players in 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification matches and among other competitions.

Team image

Kit manufacturers

Period Manufacturer
2008–2010 Tiger
2012 Nike
2013–2014 Mitre
2015–2017 Kubba Sportswear
2018–2024 Narrow
2024–present Oliver Sports

The team's kit manufacturer was Kubba Sportswear from June 2014 to February 2017.

Since 2018, the kits are made by Narrow, an Indonesian apparel. The home kit is red shirts, black shorts, and red socks, with black as a secondary color. The away kit all white. From 2008 to 2010, their away kits were yellow but at 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup qualification, the away kits changed back into all whites. Their kits were made by Nike in 2012. Previous kit makers include Mitre, Joma, Nike and Tiger.

Home stadium

Timor Leste's home ground is the National Stadium of Timor-Leste in Dili. The stadium capacity is 5,000. The first official match played in the stadium was a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Mongolia on 12 March 2015. Timor-Leste played their last match at the National Stadium of Timor-Leste against Saudi Arabia on 17 November 2015 and since then used their stadium as a neutral ground all over East Asia.

Timor Leste national football team home stadiums
Image Stadium Capacity Location Last match
National Stadium of Timor-Leste 5,000 Dili v   Saudi Arabia
(17 November 2015; 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification)

Neutral venue

List of neutral venue grounds for Timor-Leste in the FIFA World Cup qualifications, AFC Asian Cup qualifications and AFF Championship qualifications since 2020.

Timor Leste neutral home stadiums
Image Stadium Capacity Location Last match
Kaohsiung National Stadium 55,000 Zuoying, Kaohsiung, Taiwan v   Chinese Taipei
(17 October 2023; 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification)
Hàng Đẫy Stadium 22,500 Hanoi, Vietnam v   Singapore
(14 December 2024; 2024 ASEAN Championship)
Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium 18,000 Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia v   Mongolia
(5 September 2024; 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification – play-off round)
Territory Rugby League Stadium 10,000 Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia v   Maldives
(10 June 2025; 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification – third round)
Chonburi Stadium 8,680 Mueang Chonburi, Chonburi Province, Thailand. v   Brunei
(15 October 2024; 2024 ASEAN Championship qualification)
Track & Field Sports Complex 1,700 Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei v   Brunei
(8 November 2022; 2022 AFF Championship qualification)

Results and fixtures

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

2024

Timor-Leste  v  Thailand
8 December ASEAN Championship GS Timor-Leste  0–10  Thailand Hanoi, Vietnam
20:00 UTC+7 Report
  • Davis 4', 32'
  • Gustavsson 17'
  • Suphanat 28', 54'
  • Seksan 56', 61'
  • Teerasak 79', 90+2'
  • Mickelson 90+3'
Stadium: Hàng Đẫy Stadium
Attendance: 1,239
Referee: Kim Dae-yong (South Korea)
Malaysia  v  Timor-Leste
11 December ASEAN Championship GS Malaysia  3–2  Timor-Leste Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
21:00 UTC+8
  • Syafiq 37'
  • Josué 70', 83'
Report
  • Xavier 45+1'
  • João Pedro 45+3'
Stadium: Bukit Jalil National Stadium
Attendance: 7,420
Referee: Omar Al-Yaqoubi (Oman)
Timor-Leste  v  Singapore
14 December ASEAN Championship GS Timor-Leste  0–3  Singapore Hanoi, Vietnam
17:30 UTC+7 Report
  • Nakamura 76' (pen.)
  • Shawal 83', 90'
Stadium: Hàng Đẫy Stadium
Attendance: 1,000
Referee: Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)
Cambodia  v  Timor-Leste
17 December ASEAN Championship GS Cambodia  2–1  Timor-Leste Phnom Penh, Cambodia
17:45 UTC+7
  • Rotana 42'
  • Soknet 79'
Report
  • João Pedro 22'
Stadium: Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium
Attendance: 17,109
Referee: Firdavs Norsafarov (Uzbekistan)

2025

Lebanon  v  Timor-Leste
20 March Friendly Lebanon  4–0  Timor-Leste Al Khor, Qatar
21:00 UTC+3
  • Osman 57'
  • Budib 85'
  • Merheg 88', 90'
Report Stadium: Al-Khor SC Stadium
Tajikistan  v  Timor-Leste
25 March 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification Tajikistan  1–0  Timor-Leste Dushanbe, Tajikistan
16:00 UTC+5
  • Hanonov 3'
Report (AFC) Stadium: Pamir Stadium
Attendance: 8,520
Referee: Seyedvahid Kazemi (Iran)
Timor-Leste  v  Maldives
10 June 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification Timor-Leste  1–0  Maldives Darwin, Australia
16:00 UTC+9:30
  • J. Pedro 45+1'
Report (AFC) Stadium: Territory Rugby League Stadium
Attendance: 1,048
Referee: Songkran Bunmeekiart (Thailand)
Timor-Leste  v  Philippines
9 October 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification Timor-Leste  1–4  Philippines Darwin, Australia
19:00 UTC+9:30
  • Freitas 47'
Report (AFC)
  • Kristensen 15', 31', 49', 56'
Stadium: Territory Rugby League Stadium
Attendance: 1,356
Referee: Yudi Nurcahya (Indonesia)
Philippines  v  Timor-Leste
14 October 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification Philippines  3–1  Timor-Leste Capas, Philippines
20:00 UTC+8
  • J. Tabinas 46'
  • Kristensen 70'
  • Gayoso 90+1'
Report (AFC)
  • Rangel 45+1'
Stadium: New Clark City Stadium
Attendance: 8,753
Referee: Torphong Somsing (Thailand)
Negeri Sembilan FC v  Timor-Leste
8 November Unofficial friendly1 Negeri Sembilan FC 2–1  Timor-Leste Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
21:00 UTC+8 Luqman 7, 31' Report Bakhito 43' Stadium: Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium
Attendance: 2,138
Timor-Leste  v  Tajikistan
18 November 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification Timor-Leste  0–5  Tajikistan Darwin, Australia
16:00 UTC+9:30 Report
Report (AFC)
  • Mabatshoyev 22', 43'
  • Panjshanbe 25'
  • Rakhimov 82'
  • Boboev 86'
Stadium: Territory Rugby League Stadium
Attendance: 538
Referee: Adam Kersey (Australia)
Notes
  • 1 Non FIFA 'A' international match

2026

Maldives  v  Timor-Leste
31 March 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification Maldives  v  Timor-Leste Malé, Maldives
--:-- UTC+5:30 Stadium: National Football Stadium

Coaching staff

Position Name
Technical director Paulo Mesquita
Head coach Zé Pedro
Assistant coach Jaime Coelho
Miro Baldo Bento
Goalkeeping coach Derson Gusmão
Physiotherapist Adou Costa
Media Officer Mario Filipe Belo
Administrator Hasan Cesario
Official Adou Marques
Kitman Fablo Freitas

Coaching history

As of May 2024

Players

Current squad

  • The following 23 players were called up for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers match.
  • Match date: 10 June 2025
  • Opponents: Maldives
  • Caps and goals correct as of: 10 June, after the match against Maldives.
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
12 1GK Junildo (2003-06-04) 4 June 2003 (age 22) 17 0 Karketu Dili
20 1GK Ricky (2000-12-25) 25 December 2000 (age 25) 1 0 Ponta Leste
31 1GK Georgino Mendonça (2002-03-16) 16 March 2002 (age 23) 7 0 Life FC

2 2DF Almerito (1993-09-24) 24 September 1993 (age 32) 3 0 Ponta Leste
3 2DF Liam Farrugia (2003-01-13) 13 January 2003 (age 22) 1 0 Manningham United
4 2DF Francisco da Costa (1995-04-15) 15 April 1995 (age 30) 9 0 Karketu Dili
5 2DF Jackson Fowler (2004-09-03) 3 September 2004 (age 21) 1 0 Sydney Olympic
9 2DF Olagar Xavier (2003-05-18) 18 May 2003 (age 22) 16 1 Aguilas–UMak
23 2DF Anizo Correia (2003-05-23) 23 May 2003 (age 22) 18 0 Ponta Leste
2DF João Panji (2003-03-02) 2 March 2003 (age 22) 20 0 Karketu Dili
2DF Mário Quintão (2004-02-18) 18 February 2004 (age 21) 11 0 Emmanuel
2DF Palomito Ribeiro (2005-11-28) 28 November 2005 (age 20) 0 0 Emmanuel

8 3MF Claudio Osorio (2002-09-26) 26 September 2002 (age 23) 11 0 Karketu Dili
14 3MF Kornelis Nahak (2001-01-12) 12 January 2001 (age 24) 9 0 SLB Laulara
15 3MF Tiago (1999-04-13) 13 April 1999 (age 26) 12 0 Karketu Dili
16 3MF Freteliano (2004-08-09) 9 August 2004 (age 21) 12 0 Emmanuel
22 3MF Zenivio (2005-04-22) 22 April 2005 (age 20) 18 1 Tanjong Pagar United

7 4FW Elias Mesquita (2002-03-27) 27 March 2002 (age 23) 18 0 Ponta Leste
10 4FW João Pedro (vice-captain) (1998-06-24) 24 June 1998 (age 27) 24 8 Angkor Tiger
11 4FW Mouzinho (2002-06-26) 26 June 2002 (age 23) 14 3 Igalo
13 4FW Alexandro Bakhito (2006-06-01) 1 June 2006 (age 19) 4 0 SLB Laulara
18 4FW Vabio Canavaro (2007-01-25) 25 January 2007 (age 18) 2 0 SLB Laulara
19 4FW Luís Figo (2005-04-17) 17 April 2005 (age 20) 8 0 Ponta Leste
21 4FW Gali Freitas (captain) (2004-12-31) 31 December 2004 (age 21) 14 2 Persebaya Surabaya

Recent call-ups

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Danilo De Lemos (2004-11-28) 28 November 2004 (age 21) 0 0 Casuarina v.  Maldives, 10 June 2025 PRE
GK Tristan (2007-02-18) 18 February 2007 (age 18) 0 0 Karketu Dili v.  Lebanon, 20 March 2025 PRE
GK Pablo de Jesus (2005-09-19) 19 September 2005 (age 20) 0 0 Ponta Leste Centralized training camp, February-March 2025
GK Alexandre Quintão (2007-11-28) 28 November 2007 (age 18) 0 0 Marca Centralized training camp, February-March 2025

DF Filomeno (1998-06-21) 21 June 1998 (age 27) 26 0 SLB Laulara v.  Maldives, 10 June 2025 PRE
DF Ricardo Bianco (2006-01-15) 15 January 2006 (age 19) 2 0 Ponta Leste v.  Tajikistan, 25 March 2025
DF Amancio Araujo (2002-04-26) 26 April 2002 (age 23) 0 0 Emmanuel v.  Tajikistan, 25 March 2025
DF Jonah Madeira (2001-02-16) 16 February 2001 (age 24) 0 0 Craigieburn City v.  Lebanon, 20 March 2025 PRE
DF Sandro Rivaldo Quintão (2003-01-01) 1 January 2003 (age 23) 2 0 Emmanuel Centralized training camp, February-March 2025
DF Aniso Monteiro (2003-07-01) 1 July 2003 (age 22) 1 0 Assalam Centralized training camp, February-March 2025
DF Nelson Viegas (1999-12-24) 24 December 1999 (age 26) 25 1 Greenvale United 2024 ASEAN Championship
DF Yohanes Gusmão (2000-04-01) 1 April 2000 (age 25) 13 0 SLB Laulara 2024 ASEAN Championship
DF Orcelio (2001-04-30) 30 April 2001 (age 24) 6 0 Karketu Dili v.  Mongolia, 10 September 2024

MF Jorge Casimiro 2007 (age 18) 0 0 Caboolture Sports v.  Maldives, 10 June 2025 PRE
MF João Rangel (2001-07-17) 17 July 2001 (age 24) 0 0 Leiston FC v.  Maldives, 10 June 2025 PRE
MF Edencio Soares (2005-10-05) 5 October 2005 (age 20) 0 0 Porto Taibesse v.  Lebanon, 20 March 2025 PRE
MF Beckham Baker (2008-08-08) 8 August 2008 (age 17) 0 0 Melbourne City Centralized training camp, February-March 2025
MF Jhon Frith (2002-07-17) 17 July 2002 (age 23) 15 2 ISI Dangkor Senchey 2024 ASEAN Championship
MF José Andrade (1999-12-20) 20 December 1999 (age 26) 0 0 Ponta Leste v.  Brunei, 15 October 2024

FW Nicholas Fowler (2007-05-31) 31 May 2007 (age 18) 0 0 Sydney Olympic v.  Maldives, 10 June 2025 PRE
FW Mark Casimiro (1997-01-28) 28 January 1997 (age 28) 0 0 Casuarina v.  Maldives, 10 June 2025 PRE
FW Paul Godinho (2004-02-29) 29 February 2004 (age 21) 0 0 Santa Cruz v.  Lebanon, 20 March 2025 PRE
FW Alexandre Vong (2006-11-28) 28 November 2006 (age 19) 0 0 Santa Cruz Centralized training camp, February-March 2025
FW Pascoal Fernandes (2004-02-18) 18 February 2004 (age 21) 0 0 Atlético Ultramar/Coração Centralized training camp, February-March 2025
FW Kenny Ximenes (2005-04-04) 4 April 2005 (age 20) 3 0 Dollingstown 2024 ASEAN Championship

Notes
  • INJ Withdrew due to injury
  • PRE Preliminary squad / standby

Previous squads

  • 2004 AFF Championship squad
  • 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup squad
  • 2018 AFF Championship squad
  • 2020 AFF Championship squad
  • 2024 ASEAN Championship squad

Player records

As of 10 June 2025
Players in bold are still active with Timor-Leste.

Most appearances

Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Anggisu Barbosa 30 4 2008–2016
2 Adelino Trindade 27 3 2010–2018
3 José Fonseca 26 0 2010–2017
4 Henrique Cruz 25 3 2015–2018
Nelson Viegas 25 1 2016–present
6 Filomeno Junior 24 0 2018–present
João Pedro 8 2018–present
8 Nataniel Reis 23 1 2014–2018
9 Eusebio de Almeida 22 0 2007–2015
Rufino Gama 22 7 2016–2022

Top goalscorers

Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 João Pedro 8 24 0.32 2018–present
2 Rufino Gama 7 22 0.32 2016–2022
3 Murilo de Almeida 6 7 0.86 2012–2014
4 Chiquito do Carmo 4 16 0.25 2010–2016
Anggisu Barbosa 4 30 0.13 2008–2016
6 Adélio Guterres 3 4 0.75 2006–2007
Alan Leandro 3 5 0.6 2012
Mouzinho 3 12 0.25 2019–present
Emilio da Silva 3 12 0.25 2004–2012
Henrique Cruz 3 25 0.12 2015–2018
Adelino Trindade 3 27 0.11 2010–2018

Competition records

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup Qualification
Year Result Position Pld W D* L F A Pld W D L F A
1930 to 1974 Part of  Portugal Part of  Portugal
1978 to 1998 Part of  Indonesia Part of  Indonesia
2002 Not member of FIFA Not member of FIFA
2006 Did not enter Did not enter
2010 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 3 11
2014 2 0 0 2 1 7
2018 10 2 2 6 7 37
2022 2 0 0 2 2 12
2026 2 0 0 2 0 7
2030 To be determined To be determined
2034
Total 0/5 18 2 2 14 13 74

AFC Asian Cup

AFC Asian Cup AFC Asian Cup qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1956 to 1972 Part of  Portugal Part of  Portugal
1976 to 1996 Part of  Indonesia Part of  Indonesia
2000 Did not exist, under United Nations Did not exist, under United Nations
2004 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 2 6
2007 to 2015 Did not enter Did not enter
2019 Did not qualify 14 2 2 10 9 47
2023 Disqualified 2 0 0 2 2 12
2027 Did not qualify 4 1 0 3 4 10
Total 21 3 2 16 17 73

AFC Challenge Cup

AFC Challenge Cup AFC Challenge Cup qualification
Year Result Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
2006 Did not participate Selected but removed
2008 Did not enter Did not enter
2010
2012
2014
Total
  • 2006 – Was originally selected to take part, but was then replaced
  • 2008 – Was selected to take part, but withdrew

AFC Solidarity Cup

AFC Solidarity Cup
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA
2016 Group stage 6th 2 0 1 1 0 4
Total Group stage 1/1 2 0 1 1 0 4

ASEAN Championship

ASEAN Championship record Qualification record
Year Result Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1996 Part of Indonesia Part of  Indonesia
1998
2000 Under United Nations Under United Nations
2002
2004 Group stage 9th 4 0 0 4 2 18 No qualification
2007 Did not qualify 4 0 0 4 5 17
2008 4 0 1 3 4 9
2010 3 0 0 3 3 15
2012 4 2 0 2 10 6
2014 4 1 1 2 6 7
2016 3 0 0 3 4 7
2018 Group stage 10th 4 0 0 4 4 19 2 1 0 1 3 2
2020 10th 4 0 0 4 0 13 Opponents withdrew
2022 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 3 6
2024 Group stage 10th 4 0 0 4 3 18 2 1 1 0 1 0
Total Group stage 4/15 16 0 0 16 9 68 28 6 3 19 39 68

Lusofonia Games

Jogos da Lusofonia
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
2006 Group stage 9th 0 0 0 2 0 10
2009 Did not enter
2014
Total Group stage 1/3 0 0 0 2 0 10
Lusofonia Games
Date Venue Opponents Score Year
4 October 2006 Macau University of Science and Technology Sports Field  Mozambique U-20 0–5 2006 Lusofonia Games
6 October 2006  Angola U-20 0–5

Head-to-head record

As of 18 November 2025

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD WPCT
 Brunei 12 4 1 7 16 25 −9 33.33
 Cambodia 10 1 2 7 18 25 −7 10.00
 Chinese Taipei 6 0 0 6 3 17 −14 0.00
 Hong Kong 2 0 0 2 3 11 −8 0.00
 Indonesia 6 0 0 6 2 21 −19 0.00
 Laos 7 1 0 6 9 18 −9 14.29
 Lebanon 1 0 0 1 0 4 −4 0.00
 Malaysia 8 0 1 7 5 2 +3 0.00
 Maldives 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100.00
 Mongolia 4 3 0 1 9 4 +5 75.00
 Myanmar 4 0 1 3 2 7 −5 0.00
   Nepal 4 0 2 2 3 9 −6 0.00
 Palestine 2 0 1 1 1 8 −7 0.00
 Philippines 9 1 0 8 6 33 −27 11.11
 Saudi Arabia 2 0 0 2 0 17 −17 0.00
 Singapore 3 0 0 3 1 11 −10 0.00
 Sri Lanka 1 0 0 1 2 3 −1 0.00
 Thailand 4 0 0 4 0 27 −27 0.00
 Tajikistan 2 0 0 2 0 6 −6 0.00
 United Arab Emirates 2 0 0 2 0 9 −9 0.00
Total 90 11 8 71 81 257 −176 12.22
Source: Results

Regional record

Last meet up against Southeast Asia countries
Opponents Year Score Outcome Match type
 Brunei 15 October 2024 0−0 Draw 2024 ASEAN Championship qualification
 Cambodia 17 December 2024 1−2 Lost 2024 ASEAN Championship
 Indonesia 30 January 2022 0−3 Lost Friendly
 Laos 3 December 2017 1−2 Lost Friendly
 Malaysia 11 December 2024 2−3 Lost 2024 ASEAN Championship
 Myanmar 8 December 2021 0−2 Lost 2020 AFF Championship
 Philippines 14 October 2025 1−3 Lost 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification
 Singapore 14 December 2024 0−3 Lost 2024 ASEAN Championship
 Thailand 8 December 2024 0−10 Lost 2024 ASEAN Championship
 Vietnam Haven't meet yet

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