The Oceania soccer tussle and what a new pro league could mean

Opinion - There is no denying the fact that no Pacific Island soccer team is likely to make the FIFA World Cup anytime soon.

Unless, of course, New Zealand is taken out of Oceania and grouped with Asia in the FIFA system of operations.

The All Whites have the best of everything: the infrastructure, governance, financial backing, and top players.

For players, they have captain Chris Wood out of Nottingham Forest in England, part-Samoan Marko Stamenic from Olympiacos in Greece, and Sarpeet Singh from UD Leiria Club in Portugal. All of these clubs are soccer powerhouses.

Of the All Whites' 24-member squad, 16 are overseas-based, with six professionals playing for Auckland City and Wellington Phoenix.

While there were rumblings behind the scene at the recent FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifiers about the gaps getting wider between New Zealand and the Pacific Island teams, none of the teams involved wanted to stir the waters again.

This has been an issue from years back, dating back to when some of the island teams asked whether they would ever have the opportunity to play against the world's best at a World Cup, back in the '90s.

Before Australia exited Oceania in 2006, had been the major reppresentative from the confederation.

The push was for them to join Asia and when that happened, New Zealand took over that dominance, although the All Whites played at their last World Cup in 2010.

And they had represented Oceania at the FIFA Confederations Cup tournaments in 1999, 2003, 2009, and 2017.

Fiji, by the way, defeated the Socceroos, 1-0 in 1988, during the first leg of their two-match 1990 World Cup qualifier.

The Socceroos were on fire back then, having recorded a famous 4-1 win against world champions Argentina in the Bicentennial Gold Cup, then a 1-0 win over Yugoslavia at the Seoul Olympics.

Yet, with all their stars, the side fell to Fiji in Nadi. The Fijian side then is believed to be the best-ever assembled.

But then again, that was a one-off and a long, long time ago.

For the 2026 World Cup, Oceania gets a direct entry through the winner.

The All Whites' current form in the qualifiers, which saw them win two matches by the same margins of 8-0 against Vanuatu and Samoa, puts New Zealand ahead of all four semi-finalists.

They will meet Fiji in Wellington come March 2025.

New Caledonia and Tahiti will battle out in the other semi-final.

One of them will have the opportunity to try and secure World Cup spot through the play-off, which will feature second-best qualifiers from the other FIFA confederations.

Vanuatu coach Juliano Schmeling, his captain Brian Kaltak, Samoan defender Harry Chote, and coach Jess Ibrom all agreed on one thing after their Group B matches in New Zealand on Monday.

New Zealand, with all tits professional players from around the globe, are too strong for the island teams, majority of which have amateur or semi-professional players.

The lone Pacific Island association to share their thoughts about the issue are Fiji Football.

Chief executive Mohammed Yusuf shared with me earlier that New Zealand's presence in Oceania ensures the island teams can measure their standards.

For example, the Women's Olympic Qualifier last year saw New Zealand, yet again, going to the Olympic then.

Asked whether he thought that Pacific teams' chances are being denied by New Zealand playing in Oceania, he said it is to the contrary.

"There is no problem at all. We know where New Zealand is in terms of their standards and this always gives us enough space to measure our level, whenever the island nations play against."

He said then FIFA was already trying to open opportunities to small island countries by allowing two qualifiers from OFC for age group competitions.

That is what has happened for the upcoming World Cup, where the OFC winner goes straight to the world event, while the runner-up goes through to qualify for FIFA world cup in age groups in an expanded version.

Yusuf said he believes a Pacific team will eventually compete at the world cup.

So how can that be achieved?

Everyone agrees that the players need more game time, consistent development, and securing the services of island heritage players who play in different competitions around the world.

Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, and the Cook Islands were able to secure some of their own playing in Australia and New Zealand for the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Then there is the new OFC Professional League, which is due to kick off in 2026.

Yusuf supports that initiative and he has indicated they might request for two Fiji-based teams.

That league is now being discussed more urgently by the island associations, now with news Football Australia is also interested in participating.

OFC believes that the inclusion of an Australian-based club will bring significant benefits, including increased visibility and market reach, enhanced competitive standards, stronger economic and cultural links, and new development pathways for Pacific players.

"An Australian team would also help strengthen regional ties, inspire new partnership opportunities, and contribute to the growth of football across Oceania," OFC said.

What will the League achieve?

Background checks revealed that it was way back in 2019, when the OFC Executive Committee began the work to determine the viability of a professional competition for men's football in Oceania.

Part of the OFC vision was to have two teams from the Oceania region participate and compete at the FIFA World Cup '26.

One will - the other will have to compete against either teams from Asia or Africa.

OFC said the Professional League is "a forward-thinking initiative designed to propel football in Oceania to new heights, create meaningful opportunities for players and clubs, and establish a professional structure that can compete at a global level".

On paper, this league will create essential pathways for talent development, allowing young players to grow within a professional environment, reducing the need to seek opportunities abroad.

The OFC said by fostering professional structures, it enhances player and club development while stimulating economic growth through sponsorships and local business engagement.

All OFC members are being invited to be part of the new OFC Professional League.

Now, that is all good and well.

It will be interesting to see what countries will be able to afford teams in the new league.

Will the smaller island nations afford such a club and league participation?

How will the teams be made up? Will they feature professional players in the different club set-ups?

But on the hindsight, there might be some hope there, that participating in the Professional League would help lift the standards and game experience for island players.

A great example is the establishment of the Fijian Drua and what that has done to Fiji rugby.

In their three years of existence, the franchise has been able to produce players in a professional environment, who have gone on to join the Flying Fijians, and create history by beating England, the Australian Wallabies, and Wales in the last 14 months.

Yusuf and the Fiji FA believe the Drua example is hope island teams can cling to, with the new professional league on the way.

But for the meantime, watch New Zealand qualify for the 2026 World Cup.