[4][5][6] History was made in 2007 when Tuvalu became the first non FIFA member to participate in an official World Cup qualifying match.

[7] The situation arose when the regional governing body used the 2007 South Pacific Games, as the first stage of the qualification tournament for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and qualification tournament for the 2008 OFC Nations Cup.

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 association, Tapugao Falefou, visited the headquarters of FIFA in Zurich, hoping to gain full membership in the organisation.

[2] As the president of TIFA, Soseala Tinilau was involved in negotiating development programmes and technical assistance from the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) the governing body for football in Oceania under FIFA, such as grants of equipment and funds for capacity building activities and national team development.

Tuvalu participated in the 2007 Pacific Games held in Samoa, with Toakai Puapua as the coach, and Petio Semaia as the captain.

[22][23][24] Tuvalu is the first country, that as a non-FIFA-member, has taken part in an official FIFA World Cup-qualification tournament.

[31] De Haan previously coached SC Heerenveen, Ajax Cape Town and the Dutch national U-21 team.

[37] After losing 8–0 to New Caledonia,[38] and 6–1 to Solomon Islands,[39] the Tuvaluan team drew the game with Guam 1–1.

[40] The Tuvaluan team finished in fourth place in Group A (equal with Guam), with a record number of goals.

[41] De Haan left his post after the tournament to rejoin Heerenveen's youth programme.