As Fiji’s national football team, the Digicel Bula Boys, gear up for their important FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania qualifiers, head coach Rob Sherman has shared a mix of enthusiasm and apprehension. Fiji is set to compete against the Solomon Islands on October 10 at HFC Stadium, followed by away matches against Papua New Guinea on November 14 and New Caledonia on November 17.
A concern for Sherman is the FMF Inter-District Championship (IDC), scheduled between October 15 and 20, which takes place during the critical World Cup qualifier window. He voiced worries over the potential impact of the tournament on player health, particularly the risk of injuries.
“We have to respect that, and if they participate, hopefully they manage to avoid injuries. Playing three or four games in three or four days is something I’m not sure happens elsewhere in the world,” said Sherman. “In leagues like the Premier League, typically, players have a maximum of two matches per week.”
Sherman emphasized the importance of keeping the team healthy for their significant away fixtures next month against PNG and New Caledonia. “We just hope that they make it through the IDC without any injuries, and that we can regroup with a full squad for our final preparations,” he added.
Looking ahead, Sherman mentioned the potential for integrating new talent into the team in the upcoming season. “We continuously assess performances, and if a player shows strong form, they’ll be invited to join the squad,” he explained. “Ideally, we want to call in players who are engaged in professional football, but passport issues have been a hurdle this year.”
The Bula Boys are eager to make a positive impact in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, making the balance between domestic competitions and international responsibilities vital for Fiji’s football ambitions as they aim for the 2026 tournament.