Pacific / Sport

FIFA World Cup '26 qualifiers: Fiji and New Caledonia favourites to secure semifinal spots

07:39 am on 14 November 2024

Fiji’s Leroy Jennings and Solomon Islands William Komasi during the FIFA World Cup 2026 - OFC Qualifiers, Round 2, Solomon Islands v Fiji. HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Thursday 10 October 2024. Photo: Kirk Corrie / Phototek.nz

The Oceania qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup resume this afternoon.

Fiji and New Caledonia start as favourites to win semifinal spots out of Group A.

Fiji started their campaign with a high, defeating Solomons Iaslands 1-nil in Suva last month.

  • FIFA World Cup 26 Oceania Qualifiers - As it stands
  • They face hosts PNG today.

    Later, New Caledonia will take on Solomon Islands.

    The top two teams from the group will qualify for the semifinals in New Zealand in March 2025, to meet the top two Group B teams.

    In Group B, New Zealand hosts Vanuatu, and Tahiti will play Samoa in Hamilton on 15 November.

    Three days later on Monday, Tahiti face Vanuatu before Samoa play New Zealand to wrap-up the group phase.