National striker Roy Krishna, the leading goal scorer in Oceania football, is set to play a key role in Fiji’s preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Oceania Qualifiers next month. Krishna, who has represented Fiji for 16 years, is also the country’s most-capped footballer.
Fiji’s football chief executive officer, Mohammed Yusuf, announced that the team has been training effectively, highlighted by a recent Tri-Nations series where they secured a victory against the Solomon Islands and had a draw with Hong Kong.
The Bula Boys will depart for Papua New Guinea on November 9, where they will compete in two matches. Krishna is expected to arrive on October 6 and participate in a match on October 10 before returning to India on October 12 to play for his club in the Indian Super League. He will then rejoin the national team for the fixtures in PNG.
Yusuf noted that experienced players like Samuela Kautoga, Setareki Hughes, Akuila Mateisuva, and Krishna are working well with younger talents. He mentioned that coach Rob Sherman and the team management are developing a strategy for their upcoming match against the Solomon Islands.
Yusuf expressed confidence in the team, aiming for a strong start with a win against the Solomon Islands. The World Cup Qualifier fixtures include Fiji vs. Solomon Islands on October 10 at HFC Bank Stadium in Fiji, and matches against Papua New Guinea on November 14 and New Caledonia on November 17 at the PNG Football Stadium.