The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has revealed that 13 clubs have successfully advanced in the selection process for the new OFC Professional League, which is set to begin in January 2026. Among these clubs, two will represent Fiji, marking an important development for Fijian football.
Initially, 24 clubs expressed interest in joining the league, with four clubs from Fiji being part of this initial mix. The list of the remaining 13 clubs includes four from New Zealand, two from Papua New Guinea, one from the Solomon Islands, Tahiti, and Vanuatu, and two from Australia. The final league will consist of eight selected teams, with a cap of two teams from any single OFC member nation and just one from Australia.
Stuart Larman, the Project Manager for the OFC Professional League, clarified that clubs aspiring to participate must acquire an OFC Professional League Club License. The OFC anticipates high-quality applications and has outlined a structured method for selection if more clubs from a single nation qualify than permitted.
In a similar earlier announcement, there was excitement over the league’s potential to transform football in Oceania. The OFC Professional League is expected to enhance the competitive landscape, foster economic and cultural connections among nations, and elevate the caliber of football in the region, particularly as Oceania has secured a guaranteed spot in the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
As the selection continues, the anticipation around the league grows, promising a new chapter for football in Fiji and the Pacific. The league aims to create opportunities for local players and strengthen community engagement through sport, portraying a hopeful future for aspiring athletes.
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