Nukuhetulu FC, the Tongan football club, is set to make its continental debut this weekend in the OFC Men’s Champions League 2026 – Qualifying, taking place in Apia, Samoa. This marks a significant milestone as they become the third club from Tonga to participate in the OFC Men’s Champions League, following the legacies of Lotoha’apai United and Veitongo FC, who have participated in international competitive play since 1999.
Coach Lafaele Moala, a former Tongan international, expressed the team’s determination as they prepare for the competition. “We might be a new team, and the new kids on the block, but we are in this competition to win,” he stated. Moala, who played 12 years with Lotoha’apai United, brings valuable experience, having participated in six OFC Men’s Champions League campaigns during his playing career. He has successfully led Nukuhetulu FC to victory in both the Tonga Major League and the Challenge Cup in 2025, which earned the club its place in this prestigious tournament.
The players are eagerly looking forward to this exceptional opportunity, marking their first chance to compete against other champion clubs across the Pacific. “This means a lot to us to compete on the continental stage, and it shows to other clubs that nothing is impossible. If we can do it, they can also do it,” Moala noted.
Despite Nukuhetulu’s senior debut only occurring in 2020, they have quickly established a competitive edge, achieving a level of success that is rare among Tongan clubs. One of the primary objectives for the team is to advance past the qualifying stages and secure a position in the final tournament in Fiji scheduled for August—a feat that has eluded their predecessors, Veitongo FC and Lotoha’apai United.
Nukuhetulu FC will kick off their qualifying campaign against Tupapa Maraerenga FC from the Cook Islands, followed by matches against Pago Youth FC from American Samoa and host club Vaivase-Tai FC from Samoa, playing three matches within a tight timeframe of seven days. The qualifying tournament spans from January 31 to February 6, with all matches held at Samoa Football HQ in Apia. This debut provides not only a significant opportunity for Nukuhetulu FC but also symbolizes the potential growth and development of football in Tonga on an international scale.
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