OFC Men’s Champions League 2026: Complete Guide to the Eight Teams in Fiji

The OFC Men’s Champions League returns in Fiji from August 9 to 22, bringing together eight clubs from across the Pacific for the region’s main continental competition for domestic champions.

Auckland City once again arrive as the benchmark. The New Zealand giants have won a record 13 titles, including the last four editions, and have not lost a match in the competition since the 2019 semi-finals. But the 2026 tournament comes in a different regional environment, with the inaugural OFC Pro League having reshaped several squads and given a number of players professional experience before returning to their domestic clubs.

There is also a major structural change around the competition. The winner of the OFC Men’s Champions League no longer qualifies directly for FIFA club competitions following the introduction of the OFC Pro League, although the tournament remains the continental championship for Oceania’s domestic clubs.

The format remains straightforward. Auckland City, Central Coast, AS Vénus and AS Tiga Sport make up Group A, while hosts Rewa, Galaxy FC, Lae City and Tupapa Maraerenga are in Group B. The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals on August 19, with the final to be played on August 22 at Four R Stadium, Govind Park, in Ba.

GROUP A

Auckland City FC — New Zealand

Any discussion about the favourites has to begin with Auckland City.

The Navy Blues are preparing for their 21st campaign in the competition and have won 13 continental titles. Their latest came in 2025, when they defeated Hekari United 2-0 in the final in Honiara. Twelve players from that championship-winning side remain in the 2026 squad.

There has been an important change on the touchline, with Rudy Mozr taking charge at the beginning of the year. The Czech coach holds a UEFA Pro Licence and will lead Auckland into the Champions League for the first time.

His squad has also received an unusual mid-year boost. Christian Gray and Nathan Lobo return after playing professionally for South Island United, while Michael Den Heijer and Matt Ellis are back following spells with Auckland FC. Fergus Gillion and Matt Foord have also joined after spending time with Bula FC.

Gray is arguably the most important of those players. The centre-back played 16 of South Island United’s 18 Pro League matches and is heading into his sixth Champions League campaign. He also scored Auckland City’s equaliser against Boca Juniors at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Den Heijer brings considerable experience in midfield, while Ellis and Gillion improve Auckland’s attacking depth. More broadly, Auckland’s traditional advantage remains continuity: many of their players know exactly what a short OFC tournament requires.

Key players: Christian Gray, Michael Den Heijer, Nathan Lobo, Matt Ellis.

What to expect: Clear favourites once again, although a new coach and a difficult group make this a genuine test of whether their continental dominance can continue unchanged.

Central Coast FC — Solomon Islands

Central Coast arrive in Fiji with one of the most intriguing squads in the tournament.

The Solomon Islands champions are making their third Champions League appearance after reaching the semi-finals in 2022 and suffering a disappointing group-stage exit at home in 2025. Jacob Moli remains in charge, having coached the club since its creation in 2020.

Their squad has been strengthened significantly by players returning from Solomon Kings after the inaugural OFC Pro League season. OFC reported that nine members of Moli’s group had played professionally for Solomon Kings, while more than half of the squad have represented Solomon Islands internationally. Seventeen players have previous Champions League experience.

The biggest name is Raphael “Rafa” Lea’i.

Still only 22, Lea’i has already played abroad in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Australia and has scored 14 goals in 26 senior internationals for Solomon Islands. His Pro League campaign was quieter than expected, producing one goal in 15 appearances, but he has already made an immediate impact since joining Central Coast.

Javin Wae adds international experience and authority in defence, while Bobby Leslie is another important addition from Solomon Kings. Marlon Tahioa remains part of the established Central Coast core and already has extensive experience in the competition.

The main question is preparation. The Solomon Islands S-League only recently restarted, meaning Moli has had limited competitive time to integrate the returning Pro League players. Central Coast may therefore possess considerable individual quality without yet having reached their collective peak.

Key players: Raphael Lea’i, Javin Wae, Bobby Leslie, Marlon Tahioa.

What to expect: One of the strongest Melanesian squads on paper and capable of challenging anyone in Group A if their new-look team settles quickly.

AS Vénus — Tahiti

AS Vénus return to the Champions League four years after reaching the final.

The Tahitian champions are making their sixth appearance and have reached the knockout stage three times. Their most recent campaign ended in a 3-0 defeat to Auckland City in the 2022 final.

Their 2026 squad has been strongly influenced by Tahiti United’s participation in the OFC Pro League.

Eight players have returned to Vénus after spending the first part of the year with Tahiti United: Roonui Tehau, German Haewegene, Pothin Poma, Maurii Heitaa, Kalï Lenoir, Kevin Barbe, Mana Teniau and Manuarii Shan. Six members of the squad were involved in the 2022 Champions League run, while five have senior international experience with Tahiti.

The central figure is Roonui Tehau. The 28-year-old midfielder appeared in 16 of Tahiti United’s 17 Pro League matches and has 12 senior caps for Tahiti. He also scored twice during Vénus’ run to the 2022 final.

German Haewegene, Pothin Poma and Maurii Heitaa give the side additional experience through the spine of the team, and the return of so many Tahiti United players should make Vénus particularly comfortable in possession.

There has also been a change in management, with Vateanui Tehau stepping up as head coach after Samuel Garcia departed to lead Tahiti United.

Key players: Roonui Tehau, German Haewegene, Pothin Poma, Maurii Heitaa.

What to expect: Technically strong, experienced and strengthened by professional football. Vénus should be considered a genuine challenger for the semi-finals rather than simply another opponent behind Auckland.

AS Tiga Sport — New Caledonia

Tiga Sport should not be treated as an outsider simply because they attract less attention internationally.

The New Caledonian club reached the semi-finals in 2025 and return with considerable continuity from that campaign. Their recent results have already shown they can compete at this level, including a 4-2 win over Rewa during last year’s group stage.

Their principal creative reference remains Shene Welepane. The midfielder has been one of Tiga’s most important players for several years and brings extensive experience with New Caledonia as well as multiple Champions League campaigns. OFC has previously highlighted his ability to create rather than simply score, making him central to the team’s attacking structure.

Another important figure is Morgan Mathelon, part of the experienced New Caledonian core surrounding Welepane.

Unlike Auckland, Central Coast and Vénus, Tiga have not been reshaped by returning OFC Pro League players. Their advantage instead comes from familiarity and continuity within a group that already reached the final four last year.

That could be valuable in such a demanding section.

Key players: Shene Welepane, Morgan Mathelon and the experienced core retained from the 2025 semi-final campaign.

What to expect: The least discussed side in Group A, but possibly the most dangerous to underestimate. They already know they can reach the knockout stage.

GROUP B

Rewa FC — Fiji

Rewa enter the tournament carrying the hopes of the host nation and with memories of a strong recent continental run.

The Delta Tigers reached the semi-finals in 2024 before losing to AS Pirae after extra time. They returned in 2025 but failed to progress from their group, leaving this year’s home tournament as an opportunity to re-establish themselves among Oceania’s strongest domestic clubs.

The squad has undergone considerable change, and one of the most notable additions is Joseph Athale. The New Caledonia international joins after playing professionally for Tahiti United and brings experience from New Caledonia, France, Australia and Tahiti.

Setareki Hughes remains one of the team’s most experienced Fijian players and provides quality in midfield, while Gabrieli Matanisiga offers senior international experience in defence.

Goalkeeper James Do’oro is another important figure, while Epeli Valevou gives the hosts a powerful attacking option.

Playing in familiar conditions should help Rewa, particularly in a group that appears more open than Group A. They also have enough experienced players to avoid being overwhelmed by the pressure of playing at home.

Key players: Joseph Athale, Setareki Hughes, Gabrieli Matanisiga, James Do’oro, Epeli Valevou.

What to expect: A legitimate contender to win Group B, although they will face immediate pressure from a Galaxy side with considerable attacking strength.

Galaxy FC — Vanuatu

Galaxy may be one of the strongest teams in the tournament that has received relatively little attention outside Vanuatu.

The Port Vila club have built an impressive 2026 campaign around a combination of Brazilian quality, experienced Ni-Vanuatu players and reinforcements from Solomon Islands. Their domestic performances have been dominant, scoring 30 goals without conceding during their VFF title campaign.

The standout has been Brazilian forward Willian dos Santos Medina.

Willian scored 16 goals during the campaign and finished as the competition’s leading scorer, including hat-tricks in both the semi-final and final. His ability to finish chances gives Galaxy one of the clearest individual attacking threats in Group B.

Fellow Brazilian Roberson Felipe dos Santos Ribeiro remains another major influence. Roberson scored four times during the title campaign and was named best player of the final. He is already familiar with continental football, having scored twice for Galaxy in the 2020 OFC Champions League, including against defending champions Hienghène Sport.

Galaxy’s local quality is equally important.

Romain Luake scored five goals during their domestic run and was named the best player of the semi-final, while Bong Kalo remains one of Vanuatu’s most technically gifted and recognisable attacking midfielders. Kalo also has previous Champions League experience with the club.

There is also additional depth from Solomon Islands players, including goalkeeper Michael Laulae, defender Junior Aengari, Jayson Kofela and Clifton Sale. Laulae was named the best goalkeeper of Galaxy’s title campaign.

The combination makes Galaxy a particularly interesting side. They have genuine match-winners from abroad, but they are not dependent on their foreign players. The local core remains strong enough to carry significant responsibility.

Key players: Willian Medina, Roberson, Romain Luake, Bong Kalo.

What to expect: One of the most dangerous attacking teams in Group B and a genuine challenger to Rewa for first place.

Lae City FC — Papua New Guinea

Lae City return to the continental stage carrying a famous club name but a very different squad from the one that became a regular Champions League participant in the previous decade.

This is largely a new generation.

The old Lae City sides built around some of Papua New Guinea’s best-known internationals are no longer the correct reference point for this team. The 2026 squad is much younger, and only a small number of players have previously experienced the Champions League group stage.

The most important veteran is Ronald Warisan.

The 36-year-old goalkeeper has played in all six of Lae City’s previous Champions League campaigns and has extensive senior international experience with Papua New Guinea. His presence gives a young squad a rare source of continental knowledge.

Phillip Steven and Langarap Samol are among the few other players with previous experience at this level, while younger names such as Matthew Sopo and Bomcege Basananuc represent the next generation emerging through Papua New Guinea football.

The contrast is striking: Lae City have the history and identity of a major PNG club, but this group must effectively establish its own continental reputation.

Key players: Ronald Warisan, Phillip Steven, Langarap Samol, Matthew Sopo, Bomcege Basananuc.

What to expect: A young, unpredictable team whose first match against Tupapa could be crucial before tougher tests against Galaxy and Rewa.

Tupapa Maraerenga — Cook Islands

Tupapa arrive in Fiji with a different squad from the one that won the qualifying tournament six months ago. Six loanees featured in qualification, but only two remain, while Daniel Bunch and Jordan Boon, two of their standout performers, are absent from the 22-man squad.

The Cook Islands champions have instead added Tahitian duo Honoura Maraetefau and Tauhiki Bohl, as well as Samoan defender Key Viliamu from Vaipuna SC. Fourteen players have previous Champions League group-stage experience, including ten from last year’s campaign.

Maraetefau is the player to watch. The 24-year-old Tahiti international joins from AS Tefana and brings both senior international and continental experience.

Tupapa are led by player-coach Jarves Aperau.

Key players: Honoura Maraetefau, Tauhiki Bohl, Key Viliamu, Grover Harmon.

What to expect: Still outsiders, but more experienced than their status suggests and with a noticeably different profile from the team that came through qualifying.

Group A: the tournament’s toughest section

Group A looks particularly demanding.

Auckland City have won the last four continental titles. Vénus reached the final in 2022. Central Coast were semi-finalists that same year, while Tiga reached the last four in 2025.

Vénus and Tiga open the group on August 10 before Central Coast face Auckland City later the same day. Three days later Tiga meet Auckland and Central Coast face Vénus, before the section concludes in Ba on August 16.

Central Coast against Vénus could become particularly important. Both possess several players returning from professional football and may view one another as the most direct competition for a semi-final place if Auckland maintain their usual standard.

Tiga, however, complicate that assumption. Their 2025 run proved that they can compete with the region’s strongest clubs.

Group B: Rewa and Galaxy start with a major test

Group B begins one day earlier, on August 9.

Galaxy face Rewa at Churchill Park before Lae City meet Tupapa. Rewa then face Tupapa on August 12 while Lae City take on Galaxy. The final matches on August 15 see Tupapa face Galaxy before Rewa meet Lae City.

The opening Galaxy-Rewa game could shape the entire group.

Rewa have home advantage and an experienced core, but Galaxy arrive with Medina in exceptional goalscoring form, Roberson still influential and strong local players around them.

Lae City’s youth makes them difficult to predict, while Tupapa already have competitive OFC experience from qualifying.

Who can stop Auckland City?

Auckland City remain the obvious favourites.

Their 13 titles, four consecutive championships and extraordinary continuity make them the safest prediction. Even after the creation of the OFC Pro League, Auckland have been able to bring several experienced players back into their Champions League squad.

The gap behind them is less straightforward.

Central Coast have significant Solomon Islands international quality and several players returning from Solomon Kings. Vénus possess eight Tahiti United returnees and a technically strong core. Tiga bring continuity from a semi-final campaign.

In Group B, Rewa benefit from playing at home, but Galaxy should be considered at least as serious a threat after their dominant domestic run and the form of Willian Medina, Roberson, Romain Luake and Bong Kalo.

There are also two very different outsiders. Lae City represent a young Papua New Guinea generation trying to establish itself, while Tupapa have already earned their place through qualifying.

The defining question therefore remains familiar — whether anyone can finally bring Auckland City’s run to an end.

But the composition of the challengers is different in 2026.

Professional experience has returned to several domestic clubs through the OFC Pro League, Galaxy have assembled a particularly strong mix of foreign and local talent, Tiga arrive with recent knockout-stage experience, and Rewa have the advantage of competing on home soil.

From August 9, Fiji will show whether any of those factors are enough to change the order at the top of Oceania club football.