The top eight teams from the Digicel Fiji Premier League have secured their places in the Super Premier Division of the upcoming FMF Inter-District Championship, scheduled for next month at Churchill Park in Lautoka. The qualified teams include Rewa, Labasa, Lautoka, Ba, Nadi, Navua, Suva, and Nadroga.
Tailevu/Naitasiri and Nasinu have not made the cut and will participate in the Premier Division 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 IDC is set for Tuesday, October 1, at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva at 11 am, with the tournament taking place from October 15-20.
In other news, three new players have been added to the national men’s football team for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Oceania qualifiers. National football coach Rob Sherman announced the inclusion of Sydney United FC midfielder Leroy Jennings, Wellington Olympic AFC defender Gabrieli Matanisiga, and Suva FC defender Kavaia Rawaqa in the 27-member squad as preparations are underway for the forthcoming qualifiers starting October 10 at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
National team manager Kartik Reddy emphasized the additions aim to enhance the squad’s strength in pursuit of the 1.5 qualifying spots available for the Oceania Football Confederation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team will gather for a training camp on September 29 at the Fiji FA Academy in Ba, with the final 23-member squad to be announced on October 5.
Veteran defender Remueru Tekiata and Muni Shivam Naidu have been ruled out due to work commitments. Reddy confirmed that the national team captain, Roy Krishna, will join the squad on October 5 upon completing his obligations with Odisha FC in the Indian Super League.
Fiji has been placed in Group A alongside 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 hosted at the PNG Football Stadium.