This qualified them for a play-off against Kiribati, which they would win on penalties before losing to Guam national football team.

A league was active by 1980, with Nauti FC being founded in that year, and it would continue until 1991 when renovations prevented access to the airstrip for training or the Tuvalu Sports Ground for matches.

The ministry of education, youth and sports have also organised tournaments and a men's C-Division was formed in the 2022 NBT Cup for veteran's football.

History was made in 2007 when Tuvalu became the first non FIFA member to participate in an official World Cup qualifying match.

Tuvalu performed with great credit, earning a remarkable 1–1 draw with Tahiti in which Viliamu Sekifu became as the first World cup scorer for his country.

The other three fixtures in the tournament ended in defeat and Tuvalu failed to progress from their five team group.

In September 2008, Tuvaluan Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia and the President of the Tuvalu Football Association, Tapugao Falefou, visited the headquarters of FIFA in Zurich, hoping to gain full membership in the organisation.

The number of participating clubs varies by tournament, with the larger islands often sending second or even third teams to compete.

The main club is Nauti FC, who regularly win titles and compete across all divisions.