Fiji is poised to embark on a new chapter in its football history as it prepares to establish a professional football league. The Fiji Football Association (FFA) board is convening in Nadi on Sunday to finalize the details for a team to represent the nation in the upcoming Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Pro League, set to kick off in January 2026.
According to FFA Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Yusuf, the Pro League will be an annual event featuring eight or more professional football teams. Fiji is aiming to secure bids for two teams, competing alongside teams from various Pacific islands, including the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Tahiti, and New Zealand, as well as potentially Australia and Hawaii.
Yusuf highlighted the benefits of including an Australian club in the league, emphasizing the enhanced regional ties, increased visibility for the sport, and new development opportunities for Pacific players. The Pro League aims to elevate competitive standards and bolster economic connections among Pacific nations.
The competition structure will feature home-and-away matches, with participation expected not just in Fiji but also across Australia and other Pacific regions. To support this initiative, the Fiji FA plans to meet with major companies in December, encouraging them to form a consortium that will manage and own the teams.
The franchise model is anticipated to last four years, with an immediate focus on collaboration with the government for support. Yusuf aims to present this proposal to the Minister for Youth and Sports following the board meeting. The OFC is optimistic about this forward-thinking initiative designed to enhance football in Oceania, particularly as the region looks forward to securing spots at the 2026 World Cup, after gaining guaranteed participation for the first time due to an expansion of the tournament.
This development represents a hopeful and exciting advancement for football in Fiji and the broader Oceania region, promising to create pathways for talent and enhance the sport’s profile in the area. The transformation of local football through professionalization could foster a new generation of players, promote community engagement, and elevate national pride in their sporting achievements.
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