Donning the colours of an international team is often seen as the best thing that can happen to a professional footballer. And that is no different for Angelo Fulgini. For the first time in his career, the Al Taawoun midfielder is about to pull on the shirt for New Caledonia, his mother’s territory of birth and the one closest to his heart.
As the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Play-off Tournament is fast approaching, where the Cagous could go through to the final tournament for the first time, the former Angers player could not hide his excitement at the prospect of representing the South Pacific archipelago.
“Being able to represent my mother’s homeland is amazing, and when I made the announcement, she was very proud,” the 29-year-old midfielder told FIFA. “Two of my sisters were born in New Caledonia, one of whom has lived there, and my grandparents on my mother’s side are originally from the village of Thio. It really is home for me. I am over the moon, and excited too.”
The former Lens player, who played for France at youth level, has just one thing in mind: linking up with his national team and meeting his new team-mates – many of whom are semi-professional – then heading to Mexico to get down to business. In Guadalajara, the first hurdle for the New Caledonians to overcome on their road to North America will be Jamaica on 26 March.
“I have been looking up the Jamaican squad and have watched highlights on YouTube,” Fulgini reveals. “There are top players in that team. Some are playing in the Championship in England and have top-level experience. We are under no illusion that it is going to be tough and we are the outsiders.
“We have nothing to lose. If we go through, it will be an unbelievable achievement; if we fall short, nobody will bat an eyelid. We have to go to Mexico under no pressure and with no fear, with the determination and belief that we can do it.”
By calling up Fulgini, New Caledonia coach Johann Sidaner will likely transform the makeup of his side and improve it considerably by being able to rely on a technical player who offers an attacking threat, has racked up impressive numbers, and has lit up Saudi Arabian football this season.
“It’s up to me to show my technical ability and experience to try and achieve something great,” he continued. “I’ve played lots of matches in Ligue 1 and I have some experience in European competition. I know that matches like these are decided by small margins. I will try and give some small tips while staying humble. They made it to the play-offs without me, so that means this is already a good side.”
Should the Cagous make initial headlines by knocking out Jamaica, Fulgini is setting no limits for what they could achieve next – and even if DR Congo are, in his opinion, “a cut above”, that is not stopping him from being optimistic about that potential tie.
“When you consider the French Cup, for example, you know full well that anything can happen in one match and that anyone can beat anyone,” Fulgini stated. “We need to show that we are up to the task physically. The most important thing is to be determined and to believe that we can do it.”
With just two matches separating him from the holy grail of football, Fulgini is drawing motivation from his best memories of the tournament. “I loved the World Cup in South Africa,” recalled Fulgini, who is a fan of Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, and Ilkay Gundogan. “I still have Shakira’s Waka Waka in my head; I loved the feeling around the tournament, with Spain winning the final thanks to (Andres) Iniesta, some amazing goals, (Siphiwe) Tshabalala’s left-footed strike for South Africa, the vuvuzelas… Everything about it. The vibe really made an impression on me.”
If they come out on top in Mexico in late March, he too could leave his mark on the tournament’s history, allowing his team to experience the magic of a FIFA World Cup™ for the very first time.
