Oceania Football League Set to Kick Off: Which Clubs Will Make the Cut?

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has confirmed that out of the 24 clubs that expressed interest in the upcoming OFC Professional League, 13 will advance to the Club Licensing phase, which is an essential step toward the league’s launch in January 2026. This list includes clubs from various member associations: four from New Zealand, two from Fiji, two from Papua New Guinea, and one each from the Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Vanuatu, alongside two clubs from Australia.

The selection will ultimately be narrowed down to eight teams for the inaugural competition. According to OFC guidelines, no more than two clubs can be selected from a single Member Association, with a single slot allocated for Australia.

The league is expected to run from early January to the end of May, with each team guaranteed a minimum of 17 matches. Stuart Larman, the Project Manager for the OFC Professional League, emphasized the importance of obtaining the OFC Professional League Club License for participation. He remains optimistic about the quality of applications as clubs work to meet the necessary requirements.

The selection process includes a rigorous method for evaluating clubs, particularly in cases where multiple teams from a single country meet licensing standards. Recommendations from the OFC Club Licensing Committee will be presented to the OFC Executive Committee in August, with final selections announced in September.

The competition format will consist of five circuit series rounds across various Pacific locations in a double round-robin setup. Following these rounds, teams will be divided into two playoff groups: Leaders and Challengers. The top teams from the Leaders Group will vie for semi-final spots while the top team from the Challengers Group will face the lowest-ranked team from the Leaders Group to secure the final semi-final position.

This development is particularly exciting for the region, especially considering Oceania’s recent qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The league promises to elevate the standard of football in the Pacific and strengthen community engagement through the sport. As anticipation builds, there is a hopeful outlook for the future of football in Oceania, creating new opportunities for athletes and fans alike.