By Matt Brown
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 opening group matches have been completed on the Road to the FIFA World Cup 26 for the eight remaining Oceania hopefuls.
Group A action in Suva saw New Caledonia and Fiji strike first with Johann Sidaner's New Caledonia side beating Papua New Guinea 3-1 and Rob Sherman's Fijian team edging Solomon Islands 1-0.
It all means that Papua New Guinea will have to make the most of home ground advantage when Group A action resumes in Port Moresby next month.
Solomon Islands plays New Caledonia, before Papua New Guinea entertain Fiji on November 14. Three days later they then meet Solomon Islands and Fiji play New Caledonia with the top two teams in the group qualifying for the semi-finals
The opening matches in Group B concluded in Port Vila yesterday with hosts Vanuatu beating Samoa 4-1, a day after New Zealand dispatched Tahiti 3-0.
The action moves to Hamilton in New Zealand where the hosts will face Vanuatu, and Tahiti will play Samoa on November 15. Three days later in Auckland, Vanuatu and Tahiti meet before New Zealand play Samoa.
The semi-finals and final will be held in New Zealand in March 2025 with the winner qualifying directly for the FIFA World Cup 26™. It is the first time Oceania has direct entry to the World Cup, with the runner-up will have a chance to qualify via the FIFA Intercontinental Playoff Tournament.
It will be a busy month ahead for the eight head coaches as they plot their strategies for what will be an exciting conclusion to the group stage on the Road to 26.
-OFC