Four Australian clubs are among the contenders for spots in the Oceania Football Confederation’s (OFC) inaugural professional league, set to launch in January 2026. In total, 24 teams have submitted formal applications to participate in this groundbreaking eight-team competition. The interest spans across several nations, with six teams from New Zealand, four from Fiji, teams from Papua New Guinea, Australia, as well as representatives from New Caledonia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, and Vanuatu.
The OFC’s new professional league, a brainchild of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, aims to enhance football standards and create opportunities in the least developed football regions of the world. Stuart Larman, the OFC Professional League Manager, expressed enthusiasm about the significant interest shown by clubs, remarking on the shared vision to elevate professional football across Oceania.
While Australian clubs are no longer part of the OFC, their inclusion in the league is expected to increase its marketability and attract a larger audience. The league’s structure will consist of several mini-tournaments hosted in selected cities between January and May, with the application process running until June and the clubs being evaluated based on specific criteria ahead of issuing licenses in September.
The establishment of this league is a positive development for Oceania football, especially as the region has seen a recent expansion in World Cup opportunities, providing a pathway for local talent and elevating the sport’s profile. As football in Oceania gears up for a professional future, the anticipation surrounding the league reflects a promising period ahead for aspiring players and fans alike.
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