Two clubs from Fiji have successfully advanced to the Club Licensing phase for the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Professional League, which is scheduled to begin in January 2026. Earlier this year, Fiji Football Association CEO Mohammed Yusuf announced that four Fijian clubs were among the initial 24 expressing interest in joining the league. Although specific club names have not been disclosed, it is speculated that prominent teams like Rewa, Lautoka, and Ba may be part of the four.
The OFC has confirmed that 13 clubs in total will proceed to the next phase of the selection process, comprising two from Fiji, four from New Zealand, two from Papua New Guinea, and one each from the Solomon Islands, Tahiti, and Vanuatu, as well as two from Australia. This selection will ultimately narrow down to eight clubs for the league, allowing a maximum of two entries from any single OFC Member Association and one from Australia.
The league will feature each of the eight clubs playing a minimum of 17 matches, running from early January to late May. Stuart Larman, the OFC Professional League Project Manager, emphasized that to participate in this league, clubs must obtain an OFC Professional League Club License, urging that high-quality submissions are anticipated as the selection process unfolds.
The unfolding timeline includes the OFC Club Licensing Committee passing recommendations to the OFC Executive Committee in August, with the final selection of clubs to be confirmed in September. The competition format will feature five circuit series rounds with a double round-robin approach, culminating in playoff groups where the top teams compete for semi-final positions.
This initiative marks a critical step toward enhancing the competitive landscape for football in the Pacific, fostering community engagement and promising exciting opportunities for local players. The league also comes at a key moment, given Oceania’s guaranteed spot in the upcoming 2026 World Cup, expected to further elevate the region’s football profile.
With this development, there is a hopeful momentum building around the growth of football in Fiji, potentially uniting local communities and promoting regional ties through the sport. The establishment of the OFC Professional League signifies an encouraging future for aspiring athletes and fans alike.
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