The top eight teams in the Digicel Fiji Premier League have secured their places in the upcoming Super Premier Division of the FMF Inter-District Championship, which is scheduled to take place next month at Churchill Park in Lautoka. The qualified teams include Rewa, Labasa, Lautoka, Ba, Nadi, Navua, Suva, and Nadroga.
In contrast, Tailevu/Naitasiri and Nasinu have been relegated to the Premier Division, where they will compete alongside Bua, Tavua, Lami, and Seaqaqa. The Senior Division will feature teams such as Savusavu, Taveuni, Nadogo, Dreketi, Rakiraki, and Northland Tailevu.
The draw for the pools of the 2024 FMF Inter-District Championship is set to occur on Tuesday, October 1, at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva, beginning at 11 am. The tournament is slated for October 15-20.
In a related development, three new players have been added to the national men’s football team for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Oceania qualifiers. National football head coach Rob Sherman confirmed the additions, which include Sydney United FC midfielder Leroy Jennings, Wellington Olympic AFC defender Gabrieli Matanisiga, and Suva FC defender Kavaia Rawaqa.
These players are part of the 27-member squad as preparations begin for the qualifiers, starting with the first round on October 10 at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. National team manager Kartik Reddy stated that these inclusions are aimed at bolstering the squad for a strong showing in the qualifiers.
“We are targeting the 1.5 spots available for OFC to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Reddy noted. The squad will convene for training on September 29 at the Fiji FA Academy in Ba, and the final 23-member team will be announced on October 5.
Due to work commitments, veteran defender Remueru Tekiata and Muni Shivam Naidu will not participate. National team captain Roy Krishna is expected to join the squad on October 5 after fulfilling club duties with Odisha FC in the Indian Super League.
Fiji has been placed in Group A, facing off against the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and New Caledonia. The team’s campaign will kick off against the Solomon Islands on October 10 in Suva at 7 pm, followed by matches against Papua New Guinea on November 14 and New Caledonia on November 17, both taking place at the PNG Football Stadium.