Fiji has advanced to the semifinals of the OFC Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after concluding their last Group A match in Papua New Guinea with a 1-1 draw against New Caledonia. This draw secured Fiji a second-place finish in the group, accumulating five points, while New Caledonia topped the group with seven points.
The Bula Boys began the match with hopes of finishing at the top of the group. Fiji’s captain, Roy Krishna, scored from the penalty spot just before halftime after being fouled in a challenging tackle. However, New Caledonia responded vigorously in the second half, with Jean-Jacques Katrawa finding the equalizer in the 59th minute, set up skillfully by Abezeier Jeno from the left.
Fiji nearly clinched a victory in injury time when substitute Christopher Wasasala’s header beat the goalkeeper but unfortunately struck the post and was cleared by New Caledonia’s defense.
The upcoming semifinals will be held in New Zealand next year, with Fiji likely to face the host nation, setting the stage for a challenging yet exciting matchup.
This achievement reflects well on Fiji’s football team, showing their resilience and potential in the international arena. Their journey through the qualifiers continues to build hope for future competitions, emphasizing the growth of football in the region.
Leave a comment