The group stage of the 2026 OFC U-19 Men’s Championship came to an end in Apia with Tahiti producing one of the tournament’s biggest turnarounds to eliminate Fiji, while defending champions New Zealand completed a perfect first phase with a dominant 6-0 victory over Vanuatu. Tuesday’s results completed the semi-final lineup, with Solomon Islands setContinue reading “Tahiti complete remarkable recovery as New Zealand cruise through perfect group stage at OFC U-19 Championship”
Author Archives: Rafael Saltori
Fiji FA unveils six-team professional league plan to extend pathway beyond Bula FC
Fiji Football Association has revealed plans for a new six-team professional franchise league that could begin in late 2027, in what would represent one of the most significant changes to the structure of domestic football in the country. The proposed competition would introduce privately owned franchises, professional coaching structures and televised matches, creating a newContinue reading “Fiji FA unveils six-team professional league plan to extend pathway beyond Bula FC”
From Real Kakamora to Nasinu: Paul Francis fuels another underdog run
Paul Francis has found himself at the centre of another football story few would have predicted. Two years after becoming one of the main figures in Real Kakamora’s extraordinary rise in the Solomon Islands S-League, the attacker is now helping Nasinu challenge the established order in Fiji, with the Giant Killers reaching the Battle ofContinue reading “From Real Kakamora to Nasinu: Paul Francis fuels another underdog run”
Ba tunnel controversy adds to turbulent BOG as semifinals loom
The 2026 Battle of the Giants is heading into its decisive weekend with four teams still in contention for the title, but events away from the pitch have increasingly become part of the story. Hosts Ba secured the final semifinal place with a 3-1 victory over Lautoka, only for their qualification to be followed byContinue reading “Ba tunnel controversy adds to turbulent BOG as semifinals loom”
Central Coast Mariners bring A-League pedigree to Port Vila for Vanuatu United series
Vanuatu football is set for a major occasion this week as Central Coast Mariners prepare to face Vanuatu United in a two-match series at Freshwater Stadium, bringing one of Australia’s most established professional clubs to Port Vila. The Mariners arrived in Vanuatu ahead of the opening fixture scheduled for Wednesday, 9 September, with the firstContinue reading “Central Coast Mariners bring A-League pedigree to Port Vila for Vanuatu United series”
PNGFA still owes coach behind Kapuls’ historic OFC Nations Cup run nine years later
Almost a decade after guiding Papua New Guinea to one of the greatest achievements in the country’s football history, former Kapuls head coach Flemming Serritslev says an old chapter remains unresolved. The Danish coach, who took PNG to the final of the 2016 OFC Nations Cup, has told Oceania Football Center that he is stillContinue reading “PNGFA still owes coach behind Kapuls’ historic OFC Nations Cup run nine years later”
Vanuatu leave out Alex Saniel as Richard Iwai names reshaped squad for MSG Prime Minister’s Cup title defence
Vanuatu will defend their MSG Prime Minister’s Cup crown with a significantly reshaped national team after the Vanuatu Football Federation confirmed a 20-man squad for the 2026 tournament in Fiji. The selection, which will be led by Richard Iwai, contains a mixture of experienced internationals and a considerable number of players with limited exposure atContinue reading “Vanuatu leave out Alex Saniel as Richard Iwai names reshaped squad for MSG Prime Minister’s Cup title defence”
“There should be no room for match-fixing”: Navua coach Rodicks Singh makes strong integrity statement after BOG exit
Navua head coach Rodicks Singh has made one of the strongest public statements of the 2026 Battle of the Giants after his side bowed out of the tournament, using a social media post to stress the importance of integrity and fair play following Navua’s final group-stage match against Labasa. Although Navua were already out ofContinue reading ““There should be no room for match-fixing”: Navua coach Rodicks Singh makes strong integrity statement after BOG exit”
Galaxy core spotted training with Vanuatu United as club shapes new-look squad for second OFC Pro League season
Vanuatu United appear to be preparing significant changes to their playing group ahead of the second season of the OFC Pro League, with a number of established Vanuatu internationals and recent Galaxy FC players now training with the country’s professional club in Port Vila. No complete list of new signings has yet been announced byContinue reading “Galaxy core spotted training with Vanuatu United as club shapes new-look squad for second OFC Pro League season”
New Caledonia hit PNG for seven as Solomon Islands complete perfect OFC U-19 group stage
Solomon Islands confirmed themselves as one of the leading contenders at the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship by completing a perfect Group A campaign, while New Caledonia produced the performance of the final matchday with a remarkable 7-0 demolition of Papua New Guinea to secure the second semi-final berth. The final round in Apia began withContinue reading “New Caledonia hit PNG for seven as Solomon Islands complete perfect OFC U-19 group stage”
