Vanuatu leave out Alex Saniel as Richard Iwai names reshaped squad for MSG Prime Minister’s Cup title defence

Vanuatu will defend their MSG Prime Minister’s Cup crown with a significantly reshaped national team after the Vanuatu Football Federation confirmed a 20-man squad for the 2026 tournament in Fiji. The selection, which will be led by Richard Iwai, contains a mixture of experienced internationals and a considerable number of players with limited exposure at senior international level, while several of the country’s most prominent names are absent.

The most striking omission is Alex Saniel. The 29-year-old striker has enjoyed arguably the best year of his career, finishing as the inaugural OFC Pro League Golden Boot winner after scoring 11 goals for Vanuatu United. He later joined Caroline Springs George Cross on loan in Australia and ended his NPL Victoria spell by scoring the winner against South Melbourne before returning to Vanuatu. Saniel was also one of the central figures in Vanuatu’s 2025 MSG triumph, opening the scoring in the final against Papua New Guinea before the national team eventually prevailed on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

Despite that record, Saniel is not among the 20 players selected for Fiji. His absence means Vanuatu will attempt to retain the regional title without the player who led the scoring charts in Oceania’s new professional competition only a few months ago. Jason Thomas and Michel Coulon are also among the established internationals missing from the squad, while Central Coast Mariners captain Brian Kaltak is another major name not included.

There is, however, considerable experience remaining. Azariah Soromon returns to the national-team setup and is likely to carry a large part of Vanuatu’s attacking responsibility. The former Suva and Southern United forward has been a regular figure for the national side across several international campaigns and spent the inaugural OFC Pro League season with Vanuatu United.

John Alick is another major inclusion. The experienced midfielder represented PNG Hekari FC during the OFC Pro League and remains one of Vanuatu’s most recognisable internationals. Tony Kaltack, Kaloran Firiam and Kathy Iamak also provide experience to a squad that otherwise gives Richard Iwai considerable room to introduce different faces into the senior national-team environment.

Firiam’s presence is particularly significant considering his role in Vanuatu’s 2025 triumph. The goalkeeper was crucial during the penalty shootout against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby as Vanuatu secured their first MSG Prime Minister’s Cup title. Bill Kaltfer Kaltack, who converted the decisive penalty in that final, has also been retained for the defence of the crown.

The composition nevertheless points towards a clear transition. Ryan Brendem Wanemut, Waisale Richard, Obed Solomon, Shem Sopuso, Nalihi John Ehnarua, Jayson Bule, Henry Namatak, Andrew Malakai, Alick Worworbu and Peter Naswai Ignace Iamak are among the players who will have an opportunity to establish themselves during a tournament in which Vanuatu arrive with a very different-looking group from some of their recent international selections.

There has also been a change on the touchline. Lars Hopp was in charge when Vanuatu hosted Fiji for two international friendlies in June, winning the first match 2-1 before drawing the second 2-2. Richard Iwai is now listed as the national-team head coach and will lead the defending champions in Fiji, assisted by Jean Yves Galinie. Iwai was also involved in Vanuatu United setup, alongside Hopp that was the head coach in the OFC Pro League’s first season.

The 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup is scheduled to take place in Suva between September and early October, bringing together Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia. Vanuatu’s campaign begins against Papua New Guinea, immediately recreating the fixture that decided the 2025 title, before matches against hosts Fiji, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia.

That opening encounter will offer an early indication of what this new-look Vanuatu side can produce. Twelve months ago, Saniel, Firiam and their teammates left Port Moresby as champions after one of the most dramatic matches of the competition. This time, the goalkeeper remains but the leading scorer of that campaign will not be there, leaving Soromon, Alick and a new generation of players with the responsibility of keeping the trophy in Vanuatu.

Vanuatu’s 20-man squad consists of Azariah Soromon, John Alick, Kaloran Firiam, Semici Kaltack, Tony Kaltack, Ryan Brendem Wanemut, Kathy Iamak, Edward Tamani Roqara, Zachariah Walu, Jacques Wanemut, Waisale Richard, Obed Solomon, Shem Sopuso, Bill Kaltfer Kaltack, Nalihi John Ehnarua, Jayson Bule, Henry Namatak, Andrew Malaki, Alick Worworbu and Peter Naswai Ignace Iamak.