Eight nations, two places at the FIFA U-20 World Cup and some of Oceania’s most promising young footballers will take centre stage in Samoa as the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship begins on 1 September. The tournament runs until 14 September in Apia and brings together New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, hostsContinue reading “OFC U-19 Championship 2026: Players to watch, contenders and everything you need to know”
Author Archives: Rafael Saltori
Green Shield stay clear as KOSSA and Ghupo keep winning in error-strewn S-League weekend
Green Shield strengthened their position at the top of the Solomon Islands S-League with another victory at Lawson Tama Stadium, while KOSSA and Ghupo continued their own impressive runs in a weekend in which defensive and goalkeeping mistakes had a major influence on the results. Three completed fixtures produced three narrow victories on Saturday, withContinue reading “Green Shield stay clear as KOSSA and Ghupo keep winning in error-strewn S-League weekend”
From Vanuatu champions to OFC history: Roberson Felipe and Willian Medina leave their mark on Galaxy FC
Galaxy FC have said farewell to Brazilian duo Roberson Felipe dos Santos Ribeiro and Willian dos Santos Medina, bringing to an end a highly successful period in Vanuatu in which the pair became central figures in one of the club’s strongest seasons in recent years. The two players have now returned to Brazil following Galaxy’sContinue reading “From Vanuatu champions to OFC history: Roberson Felipe and Willian Medina leave their mark on Galaxy FC”
All Whites defender Tyler Bindon joins Charlton Athletic for new Championship challenge
New Zealand international Tyler Bindon will continue his development in the English Championship after completing a season-long loan move to Charlton Athletic from Premier League side Nottingham Forest. The 21-year-old centre-back was officially announced by the Addicks on Sunday and becomes the club’s ninth signing of the summer as manager Nathan Jones strengthens his squadContinue reading “All Whites defender Tyler Bindon joins Charlton Athletic for new Championship challenge”
Born in New Zealand, carrying the Totori-Feni legacy: Ona Sabetian ready to make Solomon Islands proud
For Ona Sabetian, wearing the Solomon Islands shirt will mean much more than simply representing another country on the football pitch. Born in New Zealand to a Solomon Islands mother and an Iranian father, the 19-year-old attacker is preparing to embrace one of the most important moments of his young career after being selected forContinue reading “Born in New Zealand, carrying the Totori-Feni legacy: Ona Sabetian ready to make Solomon Islands proud”
‘Hekari built me’: Rex Naime targets BOG glory with Labasa and sees Pro League as pathway overseas
Papua New Guinea international Rex Naime is preparing for another major challenge in Fiji as he targets the Battle of the Giants title with Labasa, while looking back at a period of his career that has taken him from a standout OFC Champions League campaign with Hekari United to the inaugural OFC Pro League andContinue reading “‘Hekari built me’: Rex Naime targets BOG glory with Labasa and sees Pro League as pathway overseas”
Batram Suri takes charge of Lautoka FC ahead of Battle of the Giants after Galaxy OCL campaign
Former Solomon Islands international Batram Suri has been appointed head coach of Lautoka FC, taking charge of one of Fiji’s leading football districts ahead of the 2026 Extra Battle of the Giants. The appointment was confirmed by the Fiji Football Association, with Suri set to lead the Blues into the BOG, which will kick offContinue reading “Batram Suri takes charge of Lautoka FC ahead of Battle of the Giants after Galaxy OCL campaign”
PNG confirms MSG Cup participation despite K469,000 in unpaid allowances after government assurance
Papua New Guinea will take part in the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup in Fiji after the PNG Football Association received assurances from the Office of the Prime Minister that outstanding payments owed from previous editions of the tournament will be settled. The confirmation represents a significant change from the position taken by PNGFA earlierContinue reading “PNG confirms MSG Cup participation despite K469,000 in unpaid allowances after government assurance”
Auckland FC’s A-League champions take Oceania to FIFA stage but fall narrowly to Al-Ahli
Auckland FC’s first appearance on the FIFA stage ended in defeat, but the New Zealand professional side produced a competitive performance against the champions of Asia, falling only 1-0 to Al-Ahli in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup in Jeddah. Saleh Abu Al-Shamat scored the only goal of the night in theContinue reading “Auckland FC’s A-League champions take Oceania to FIFA stage but fall narrowly to Al-Ahli”
From World Cup viral sensation to Superclásico winner: Tim Payne is already making his mark in Paraguay
What began as one of the most unlikely stories of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is rapidly developing into something far more substantial for Tim Payne. The New Zealand international arrived in Paraguay carrying an extraordinary level of attention after going from one of the least-followed players heading into the World Cup to a socialContinue reading “From World Cup viral sensation to Superclásico winner: Tim Payne is already making his mark in Paraguay”
Oceania Football Center 