Teams finalising preparation as Oceania pro football league kicks off on Saturday

The highly anticipated FIFA-backed OFC Pro League kicks off on Saturday at Eden Park in Auckland, with eight teams from across Oceania vying to become champions of the Pacific.

Five Pacific teams from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu are sending their best players, showcasing regional talent on a professional stage.

They take the field alongside New Zealand's Auckland FC and South Island United, as well as Australia's South Melbourne FC.

The Pro League was first proposed in 2022 as part of the OFC's long-term vision to professionalize football across the region, creating clearer pathways for Pacific players to develop their careers without needing to leave home.

Bula FC

The first match of the inaugural season will see Bula FC take on Vanuatu United FC on Saturday afternoon.

The Fijians were the first Pacific team to arrive in Auckland ahead of the tournament.

Bula FC head coach Stephane Auvray said his side has spent the past month preparing for the opening match, with a strong focus on fitness and conditioning.

"It was five weeks' preparation. We've worked hard, lots of running, conditioning. Now we're in the last phase," he said.

"Last few days, we still have a few tactical points to improve, and then we'll start our first game and see what we look like, what the opponents look like, and hopefully it will work out for us, and we'll perform well."

Auvray said there is growing excitement within the squad as the days tick down to their first game.

He said their focus is on representing Fiji with pride.

"I think it's to start on the right foot, start strong. Make sure we make Fiji proud, and that we give everything we have. And you know, you never control the outcome, but you can control the effort."

The team features A-League star Roy Krishna who despite offers from abroad, chose to return home.

"I'm just very happy and blessed to be back after so long... I just can't wait to make history with my first professional club from Fiji."

He said the competition is opening doors for the sport across the region.

"This is the first time in history in Oceania there is a professional league so it's going to take time for all the clubs to adjust and develop, but yeah I think the future looks great for Oceania football."

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Vanuatu FC

Vanuatu United FC enters the scene amid significant internal leadership changes, after general manager Christian Happel and head coach Lars Hopp resigned just days out from the club's OFC Pro League debut.

In a joint statement from the Vanuatu Football Federation and Vanuatu United FC the pair said the decision followed "differing views on the club's strategic direction".

"There are simply different opinions on how the future of the club should be managed and developed. We believe absolute alignment among all stakeholders is vital for long-term success.

"As we no longer feel fully aligned, we concluded that stepping aside is the right move for everyone involved."

Happel's final day with the club will be 23 January, while Hopp is set to remain in his role until 26 January.

Vanuatu United FC have three matches in round one of the OFC Pro League between 17 and 23 January.

On the field, the players say they are ready to take on Fiji's Bula FC on Saturday.

Striker Alex Saniel said the team of local and overseas talent have spent the past month training and ensuring they gel well on and off the field.

Saniel is expecting tough competition from Fiji, but said his team are eager to dominate the field.

"It will be the first game and Bula FC, they also have a good team," he said.

"We as Melanesians, we know each other so well, it will be a tough task for both teams going to the first game. But I think we are ready. We really put in the work in training, we will just go and do our job... and we will just give our best to the first game of the Pro League."

For Saniel, representing his homeland at a professional level is a dream come true.

"For me growing up in Vanuatu, like dreaming to become a professional one day... It's something special and I will cherish this moment forever.

"I'm so proud for myself and for my journey since day one till now, you know, through all the struggles and the hard work I've done in the islands - now I have the opportunity to play pro."

He hopes the team's journey will inspire young Vanuatu football enthusiasts to realize they can pursue the sport as a career.

Vanuatu United FC and Bula FC will go head to head in the inaugural match of the OFC Pro League this Saturday from 3pm at Eden Park.

Auckland FC takes on South Island United at 7pm.

Over the next four months, teams will play 14 matches each across five rounds before the competition splits into leaders and challengers' groups.

The five rounds will be shared amongst five countries: New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Solomon Islands and Fiji, before returning to Auckland, New Zealand for the final round.

The grand final is scheduled for Sunday, 24 May.