Calls for resignations have emerged following Fiji’s national football team’s heavy 7-0 loss to New Zealand in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifiers. Former Lautoka Football Association president Raymond Singh has urged Fiji Football Association (FFA) president Rajesh Patel, CEO Mohammed Yusuf, and national coach Rob Sherman to step down in light of the team’s poor performance.
Singh highlights that Fiji has yet to qualify for a World Cup despite the FFA being established in 1938 and joining FIFA in 1963. He emphasizes that the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which expands the participant count from 32 to 48 teams, presents a vital opportunity for the region. Singh expressed frustration over the reliance on expatriate coaches and criticized the leadership for not fostering success.
The captain, Roy Krishna, had a key role in helping the team reach the semi-finals by scoring three goals in preceding matches. However, he was absent in the critical game against New Zealand due to injury, which compounded the team’s struggles.
Singh’s critiques align with recent changes within the FFA, including the resignations of Technical Director Timo Jankowski and Futsal national coach Jerry Sam. These shifts signify a potential pivot towards fresh strategies and ideas in management to advance Fijian football.
He asserts that the current leaders have not fulfilled their responsibilities, especially given the financial support from FIFA. The future of Fiji football is a pressing concern, as the effectiveness of leadership decisions will determine the sport’s trajectory.
The sentiment behind these calls for change reflects the passionate desire for progress in Fijian football. Fans and stakeholders hope that new management could bring the innovative thinking necessary to foster a successful football culture at all levels in Fiji.
The loss against New Zealand, while disappointing, serves as a catalyst for possible transformations in the sport’s administration. With right leadership, there remains a hopeful outlook for the development of football in Fiji, as the system could benefit from an influx of new ideas aimed at nurturing local talent and enhancing team performance.
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