Joël Fréchet names first Tahiti squad as Toa Aito begin new cycle in Cook Islands

Tahiti are ready to begin a new chapter at senior international level, with new head coach Joël Fréchet naming his first Toa Aito squad for two friendly matches against Cook Islands in Rarotonga.

The national team will face Cook Islands at the CIFA Complex on Saturday, 26 September, with kick-off scheduled for 6pm local time, before the sides meet again on Wednesday, 30 September at 4pm. The fixtures will be Fréchet’s first matches in charge of Tahiti and the opening international tests of a project primarily aimed at the 2027 Pacific Games.

The trip also ends a lengthy absence from senior international football for the Toa Aito. Tahiti have not played in competition since March 2025, when their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign ended against New Caledonia in the semi-finals. More than 18 months later, Tahiti return with a different coach and a considerably reshaped group.

Fréchet was appointed by the Fédération Tahitienne de Football in February, succeeding Samuel Garcia, who subsequently took charge of Tahiti United. The former Olympique Lyonnais player has spent his first months in French Polynesia observing the domestic championship, maintaining contact with local coaches and working with a broad group of players through national-team camps.

Around 40 players have participated in three gatherings during that process, with Fréchet eventually selecting 19 for the trip to Rarotonga. His first squad shows a particularly strong influence from AS Tefana and AS Vénus, the two clubs providing the core of the group.

Several of the Vénus players also gained valuable experience last season through Tahiti United in the OFC Pro League. That creates an interesting combination for Fréchet: players coming from one of Tahiti’s established domestic powers but who have also recently been exposed to a professional regional competition.

The selection is not restricted to Tahiti’s biggest clubs. Yohann Tihoni of Tohie’a and Albert Mairau of Mira represent Moorea, while Maitera Tanerii of Central and Matai Papaura of Pueu have also been included.

There is also an immediate connection with Tahiti’s successful new generation.

Three members of the Tahiti U19 side have stepped into the senior group following the Aito Taure’a’s run to second place at the 2026 OFC U19 Men’s Championship and qualification for the 2027 FIFA U20 World Cup. Titouan Courtois of Pirae and Niuhau Firiapu of Tefana are the two goalkeepers, while Tefana defender Tauhiki Bohl has also been selected.

Their inclusion provides an early indication that the recent U19 success could form part of the rebuilding of the senior national team. Fréchet’s responsibilities in Tahiti extend beyond the Toa Aito, with the French coach also involved in overseeing the broader national-team structure and contributing to technical development.

The coach has spoken of building an attacking team around the athletic and technical qualities he has identified in Tahitian players. Rarotonga will now provide the first opportunity to take those ideas from training into an international match.

Cook Islands therefore represent a useful starting point. Beyond the results, Fréchet will have two matches to assess combinations, see how newcomers adapt to senior international football and establish a clearer hierarchy within a squad that remains open ahead of the Pacific Games.

The September matches will not be the end of the developing programme. Tahiti are expected to host Cook Islands during the November international window, from 9 to 17 November, while other international fixtures are also being considered before the 2027 Pacific Games.

For a Tahiti side that has spent more than a year away from senior international competition, Rarotonga represents considerably more than two friendlies. It is the first competitive test of the Joël Fréchet era and the beginning of the process of constructing the next Toa Aito.

Tahiti squad

Goalkeepers: Niuhau Firiapu (Tefana), Titouan Courtois (Pirae).

Defenders: Mauri Heitaa (Vénus), Dilan Hutia (Tefana), Iliwai Resopawiro (Tefana), Tauhiki Bohl (Tefana).

Midfielders: Terai Bremond (Vénus), Roonui Tehau (Vénus), Bryan Lebrun (Tefana), Yohann Tihoni (Tohie’a), Cédovan Taniel (Tefana), Irinai Vahirua (Vénus), Kavai Morgan (Tefana), Honoura Maraetefau (Tefana).

Forwards: Kamalani Bennett (Tefana), Teaonui Tehau (Vénus), Albert Mairau (Mira), Maitera Tanerii (Central), Matai Papaura (Pueu).