Overview
- The Vanuatu Football Federation announced the 49-year-old as head coach of the men's national team while also appointing him to run Vanuatu United FC.
- Vanuatu United is slated to compete in the inaugural OFC Pro League in 2026, placing Hopp at the center of the country’s entry into a fully professional regional competition.
- The VFF highlighted Hopp’s UEFA Pro licence, an MBA, and more than two decades of coaching and leadership experience including 100+ international matches at youth and professional levels.
- Hopp said he sees strong potential but substantial work ahead and called for broad stakeholder support to elevate standards across the program.
- Media reports note this is the first time a German will coach Vanuatu’s national team, as the low‑ranked island nation of roughly 328,000–340,000 people seeks improvement after missing 2026 World Cup qualifying.