NEW CALEDONIA

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Matchworn Jean-Jacques Katrawa 08.10.2025 GIB 🇬🇮 : NCL 🇳🇨 0-2

Manufacturer: Macron

Source: Collector

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THE COUNTRY

Honestly, I’m not sure what got into Captain Cook to name a tropical paradise after Europe’s country with the highest precipitation

New Caledonia literally translates to „New Scotland”, yet, looking at pictures of the Pacific special collectivity of France, this comparison doesn’t disclose itself to me. There are actually hardly any similarities between both countries:

While one is a sunny tropical island blessed with lush vegetation, azure waters, exotic food and island beauties, the other one is…well… Scotland.

When it comes to football, however, there is actually a common feature: both countries aren’t sovereign states, but a part of other European countries, yet, they are both an independent member of FIFA.

New Caledonia is among the strongest team in the OFC. With seven titles, Les Cagous (named after a bird) are actually the record champion of the Pacific Games. They were even the top ranked OFC nation in 2008 when they reached the 95th place in the FIFA ranking, making them only the fourth country from the confederation to have reached the top 100.

In 2019, New Caledonia’s top teams “Hienghène Sport” and “AS Magenta” even managed to beat New Zealand teams “Auckland City” and “Team Wellington” in the semi-finals of the OFC Champions League and advanced to the finals, where Hienghène Sport eventually claimed the title.

THE SHIRT

The color gray is rare in national jerseys—especially home jerseys.

New Caledonia has shown, not least with its last jerseys, that this rather bland color can nevertheless be a good basis for magnificent jersey designs.

The new models for the French overseas territory were produced by Macron and feature striking futuristic lines as the main element. Given the excellent quality of the workmanship, it is a shame that the badge is only ironed on.

The jersey was worn on the New Caledonians' “world tour,” more specifically in their 2-0 victory over Gibraltar, where Jean-Jacques Katrawa contributed to the win with his goal.

Jean-Jacques Katrawa wearing the shirt against Gibraltar