OFC U-19 Championship 2026: Players to watch, contenders and everything you need to know

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, hosts Samoa and Papua New Guinea, who earned their place through the qualifying tournament in the Cook Islands.

The stakes are significant. The two finalists will qualify for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, giving the semi-finals particular importance: winning there means reaching both the continental final and the world stage.

New Zealand enter as defending champions and, once again, the obvious favourites. They have won the last four editions of the competition and arrive with one of the deepest squads in the tournament.

José Figueira’s side includes a large Auckland FC contingent, three Wellington Phoenix players and several footballers already developing in Australia and Europe. Alex Lienard comes from Sunderland’s academy, while Ricky Fransen represents Western Sydney Wanderers and Anton Isaako is with Sydney Olympic. Eight members of the squad also progressed through New Zealand’s recent U-17 cycle.

Perhaps more importantly, several already have experience beyond youth football. Luka Vicelich, Van Fitzharris, Eli Jones, Dejaun Naidoo and Bailey Ferguson were involved with Auckland FC during the inaugural OFC Pro League. Their exposure to senior football gives New Zealand a level of experience rarely seen at this age in Oceania.

Fitzharris is one of the names particularly worth following. He has already featured in some of Auckland FC’s biggest matches during 2026 and now drops back into his age group as one of the more experienced players in Figueira’s squad.

New Zealand are therefore not simply expected to qualify. Their benchmark remains winning the tournament. Figueira made that ambition clear before the competition, saying the objective is not only to reach another FIFA tournament but to continue preparing players who can eventually compete successfully at world level.

If there is a team with the tools to seriously challenge New Zealand in Group B, Fiji may be it.

Marika Rodu has assembled a particularly interesting squad combining domestic players, overseas-based talent and footballers who have already experienced professional competition. Four members of the squad — Delon Shankar, Maikah Dau, Ibraheem Afazal and Ryan Naresh — featured for Bula FC in the inaugural OFC Pro League, where the Fijian side reached the semi-final playoff.

There is also considerable continuity from previous youth teams. Seven members of the group have already played at a FIFA U-17 World Cup, while two are returning for a second OFC U-19 campaign. Fiji have also selected nine overseas-based players, reflecting a growing attempt by Fiji FA to bring diaspora talent into its national pathway.

One of the most recognisable names is Jovesa Uqe. The Labasa winger has already produced senior football performances at domestic level and will miss the opening phase of Fiji’s Battle of the Giants because of his involvement in Samoa. His pace and ability in wide areas make him one of the Junior Bula Boys’ most interesting attacking options.

Fiji have prepared extensively, including a six-week camp at the Fiji Football Academy and training matches against OFC Champions League participants Lae City and AS Tiga Sport. Their stated objective is clear: reach the World Cup.

Tahiti should not be overlooked either.

The French Polynesians remain one of the few nations outside New Zealand to have won this competition, lifting the title in 2008 when it was still staged at U-20 level. They also finished runners-up in 2018 and have regularly been competitive at this age group.

This year’s squad contains three players already seen in the OFC Pro League with Tahiti United: Kalï Lenoir, Bradley Ruiz and Niuhau Firiapu. That experience could be particularly important in a demanding Group B where every point will matter.

Coach Raimana Bu-Luc has had his squad together for several months and has openly stated that qualification for the World Cup is the goal.

That leaves Vanuatu as perhaps the most difficult team to measure in Group B.

The squad contains considerable age-group international experience, with many players having already represented Vanuatu at U-16 and U-19 level. Coach Philemon John has initially set the target of reaching the semi-finals, where qualification could then be decided in a single match.

Given the progress made by Vanuatu football during 2026 — particularly through Vanuatu United’s strong OFC Pro League campaign — there is every reason for their youth side to believe they can trouble the more highly rated teams.

Group A, meanwhile, looks considerably more open.

Solomon Islands enter with genuine expectations after finishing third in 2024. Franco Ne’e’s squad combines players from across the provinces with youngsters who have already accumulated senior football experience at home.

The headline name is Jayroll Patty.

At just 19, Patty was already an important midfielder for Solomon Kings during the inaugural OFC Pro League and now returns to youth international football as one of the most experienced players in the Solomon Islands squad. OFC itself has identified him as a player expected to have significant influence on the tournament.

The Solomon Islands have never qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, meaning a place in the final would represent a historic breakthrough.

Their opening match against Papua New Guinea could already prove crucial.

PNG arrive with something none of the other teams possess: competitive qualification matches already behind them. Matthew Witu’s side won both matches in the preliminary tournament, beating Tonga 4-0 and Cook Islands 5-1 to advance with nine goals scored and just one conceded.

Forward David Tita was the standout performer, scoring four goals across the two matches and finishing as the qualifying tournament’s leading scorer. Captain Nalau Moses also found the net against the Cook Islands and provides another attacking threat.

Witu has retained the same group that succeeded in the Cook Islands, giving PNG valuable continuity ahead of a much more difficult challenge in Samoa.

New Caledonia arrive with perhaps the strongest recent pedigree in Group A.

They reached the final in 2024 before losing to New Zealand and have repeatedly produced technically strong youth sides. Coach Jules Wakanumune is not hiding his ambitions either, stating before the tournament that his team want to progress from the group and potentially challenge for the title.

Their opening match against hosts Samoa will immediately test those expectations.

Samoa themselves enter as underdogs but will have home support behind them. Spanish coach Michael Alvarez has emphasised competitiveness rather than making bold qualification predictions, and the opportunity to play the tournament at home could give his young side an additional lift.

The tournament therefore seems to have two very different groups.

Group B contains defending champions New Zealand alongside three teams — Fiji, Tahiti and Vanuatu — all capable of making qualification uncomfortable. Group A appears less predictable, with New Caledonia and Solomon Islands carrying strong recent results but PNG arriving with competitive momentum and Samoa benefiting from home conditions.

There is also another reason why this edition may be particularly interesting.

Thirteen players selected across the eight teams have already appeared in the inaugural OFC Pro League. Five come from New Zealand, four from Fiji, three from Tahiti and one from Solomon Islands. For a youth tournament in Oceania, that represents an unusually large pool of players already exposed to professional senior football.

The competition could therefore provide an early indication of whether the region’s new professional structure is beginning to influence its next generation.

Among the players worth following closely are New Zealand’s Van Fitzharris, Luka Vicelich and Alex Lienard; Fiji’s Jovesa Uqe, Maikah Dau and Ibraheem Afazal; Solomon Islands midfielder Jayroll Patty; Tahiti United trio Bradley Ruiz, Kalï Lenoir and Niuhau Firiapu; and Papua New Guinea striker David Tita.

Some will arrive already familiar to followers of Oceania football. Others may leave Samoa as names much more widely known.

The first matches take place on 1 September, when Papua New Guinea face Solomon Islands and hosts Samoa meet New Caledonia. Group B begins one day later with Fiji facing Vanuatu and defending champions New Zealand taking on Tahiti. The semi-finals are scheduled for 11 September, with the final on 14 September.

Every match will be available live and free through OFC’s digital platforms, giving supporters across the region the chance to follow what could be one of the most revealing youth tournaments Oceania has staged in recent years.

For New Zealand, another title is expected. For Fiji, Tahiti, New Caledonia and Solomon Islands, there is a genuine opportunity to challenge that hierarchy. For Vanuatu, PNG and Samoa, the tournament offers the possibility of producing one of its major surprises.

And for every player involved, the ultimate prize is considerably bigger than an Oceania title: a place in the final will also mean a ticket to the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

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, with KOSSA defeating SOSA 3-2, Green Shield edging Malaita Kingz 1-0 and Ghupo overcoming Marist 3-2. The results moved Green Shield to 19 points from eight matches, while KOSSA and Ghupo both reached 12 from seven, keeping themselves within sight of the early leaders.

For Green Shield, the latest three points came in a very different manner from some of their more convincing performances this season. Malaita Kingz kept the leaders scoreless for most of the contest and appeared on course to take something from the match before Green Shield found the decisive goal late on. The breakthrough, however, owed plenty to a goalkeeping mistake, with the Malaita goalkeeper failing to deal cleanly with an aerial ball and presenting Green Shield with the opportunity that ultimately settled the game.

It was not Green Shield at their most dominant, but it was another example of a team finding a way to collect points even when the performance did not produce the same control seen in previous victories. After beating Marist 3-0 and Honiara City 4-0 in their recent matches, Green Shield have continued to build a significant advantage at the top of the standings. (Oceania Football Center)

The most chaotic contest of the weekend came between Marist and Ghupo. Ghupo eventually emerged with a 3-2 victory, their third successive league win following victories over Laugu United and Honiara City, but the five-goal match contained a succession of errors from both teams rather than being a clean attacking display.

Marist’s opening goal came directly from a misplaced pass by a Ghupo defender, allowing the opposition to punish an unnecessary mistake in the defensive third. Goalkeeping was another major feature of the contest, with uncertain handling and several poor attempts to punch balls clear contributing to a match that remained open and unpredictable. Both teams were able to create danger from situations that might otherwise have been comfortably dealt with, and Ghupo were ultimately the side that made better use of the opportunities presented to them.

That should not diminish the importance of the result for Ghupo. The club’s season has attracted considerable attention following a difficult opening period and the controversy surrounding the team, but results have now changed the conversation. The 3-2 win against Laugu, the midweek 2-1 victory over Honiara City and Saturday’s success against Marist have produced nine points in quick succession, taking Ghupo back into the upper part of the table. (Oceania Football Center)

KOSSA are enjoying an even longer winning sequence. Their 3-2 victory over SOSA followed wins against Honiara City, Ghupo and Southern United, giving them four consecutive league victories after an inconsistent beginning to the campaign. The remarkable 5-4 success against Southern United had already demonstrated their attacking threat, and another three goals against SOSA kept their momentum going.

The table consequently gives Green Shield a sizeable advantage, but it still does not provide a complete picture of the championship race. Defending champions Central Coast have played only two league matches because of their continental commitments and the resulting backlog of postponed fixtures. While Green Shield have already completed eight games, Central Coast remain on six points from just two, meaning several catch-up matches will eventually have a major effect on the standings.

For now, however, Green Shield have done what the teams around them have not: consistently put points on the board. KOSSA and Ghupo are beginning to provide genuine pressure after their respective winning runs, but the latest weekend also exposed an issue visible across several S-League matches — basic defensive decisions and goalkeeping errors continue to have an outsized influence on results.

Green Shield may not have produced their most convincing football against Malaita Kingz, and Ghupo’s latest victory was anything but controlled. What matters in the standings, though, is that both found a way to win. As the S-League schedule gradually becomes more balanced and Central Coast begin to recover their postponed matches, that ability to turn imperfect performances into three points could become increasingly important.

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’s domestic success and memorable run to the semi-finals of the 2026 OFC Men’s Champions League.

The Port Vila club confirmed their departures with an emotional message thanking both Brazilians for their contribution on and off the field. Galaxy described Roberson as a leader who had earned the respect of the team and wider community, highlighting his command of Bislama and his role as captain, while Medina was remembered for the extraordinary goalscoring form that made him one of the major figures of the 2026 season.

Their impact was already evident before Galaxy travelled to Fiji for the OFC Champions League. The club retained the VFF Champions League title after an exceptional domestic campaign in which they scored 30 goals without conceding. Medina finished as the competition’s leading scorer with 16 goals, including hat-tricks in both the semi-final against Police FC and the 4-0 final victory over Classic FC. Roberson added four goals of his own and was named the best player of the final.

It was on the continental stage, however, that Medina produced the performances that will remain part of OFC Champions League history. He opened Galaxy’s campaign with a hat-trick in the 4-1 victory over hosts Rewa, repeated the achievement as the Vanuatu champions defeated Lae City 3-1 and then scored another three against Tupapa Maraerenga in a 7-1 win. The sequence made him the first player in the 39-year history of the competition to score hat-tricks in three consecutive matches.

Galaxy consequently finished the group stage with a perfect nine points, scoring 14 goals in three matches, and entered the semi-finals as one of the tournament’s most impressive teams. Roberson was an important part of that success from midfield, providing some of the service behind Medina’s extraordinary scoring run. Against Lae City, for example, the Brazilians combined twice in quick succession as Medina completed his second hat-trick of the tournament.

Their continental campaign eventually ended in one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament. Galaxy faced Solomon Islands champions Central Coast in the semi-final and fell two goals behind through Rafa Lea’i before Medina responded with two second-half goals to force extra time. Lea’i eventually completed his own hat-trick in the 117th minute to give Central Coast a 3-2 victory, ending Galaxy’s hopes of becoming the first Vanuatu club to reach the OFC Champions League final.

Despite the elimination, Medina left Fiji with both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball after scoring 11 goals in only four matches. His nine goals during the group stage were followed by the two against Central Coast, leaving him comfortably ahead of the competition’s other leading scorers. The OFC also identified his partnership with Roberson as one of the features of Galaxy’s run to the last four.

For Roberson, the connection with Galaxy goes deeper than the 2026 campaign. The Brazilian was already part of the club’s breakthrough OFC Champions League appearance in 2020, when Galaxy defeated defending champions Hienghène Sport 4-1 and drew 2-2 with New Zealand side Eastern Suburbs. Galaxy reached the quarter-finals on that occasion, but the competition was suspended and eventually abandoned because of the COVID-19 pandemic. His return years later therefore allowed him to become part of another significant chapter in the club’s continental history.

That longer relationship also helps explain the tone of Galaxy’s farewell. Roberson wrote that he was leaving after “seven months of great learning”, thanking club president Andrew Leong for once again believing in his work as well as the executives, coaches, players and supporters who welcomed him. His message reflected a spell that went beyond results, while Galaxy themselves stressed the relationship both Brazilians developed with the club and the wider Vanuatu football community.

For Medina, the numbers provide an unusually clear measure of his impact: 16 goals during Galaxy’s VFF Champions League campaign followed by another 11 at Oceania’s premier club competition. For Roberson, the legacy is different but equally significant — captaincy, midfield influence, domestic success and a connection with Galaxy spanning two separate eras of the club’s continental development.

Galaxy ultimately fell one match short of the OFC Champions League final, but the 2026 campaign reinforced the club’s position among the strongest sides outside New Zealand in Oceania. Roberson and Medina leave Vanuatu having played major roles in that journey: one as the captain and midfield leader, the other as a goalscorer whose extraordinary run placed his name permanently in the competition’s record books. For Galaxy FC, their departure closes much more than a short chapter involving two foreign players; it marks the end of a Brazilian partnership that became an important part of the club’s recent history.

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 squad for the 2026/27 campaign. Bindon arrives at The Valley following a full season at Sheffield United, where he made 26 appearances in all competitions during his first year playing at Championship level.

For Bindon, the move provides another opportunity to secure regular football in one of Europe’s most demanding second divisions while remaining under contract with Nottingham Forest. His parent club signed him from Reading in February 2025 after the young defender established himself as one of the standout emerging players in the English Football League.

“It’s a privilege to be here, and I’m excited to get started,” Bindon said after completing the move. “The way the gaffer talked aligned with what I want to do, and I like the vision of the club. Hopefully I can be a part of that in a positive way.”

Charlton manager Nathan Jones revealed that he had followed Bindon for some time and had previously attempted to sign the New Zealand defender. Injuries within the Addicks squad accelerated the club’s need to reinforce the position, but Jones made clear that Bindon was far from being simply a short-term solution.

“He had a fantastic time at Reading and then got the move to Nottingham Forest,” Jones said. “He’s a player that will add to us and improve our squad, so we’re looking forward to working with him.”

Bindon’s progress in England has been rapid. Born in Auckland, he began playing with East Coast Bays before moving with his family to California at the age of 12. He later developed through the Los Angeles FC academy before returning to the other side of the Atlantic to join Reading in 2023.

It was at Reading that Bindon began attracting wider attention. He quickly established himself at first-team level and was named the club’s Player of the Season for 2024/25, while also receiving a nomination for the EFL League One Young Player of the Season award. Nottingham Forest subsequently moved to secure his services, with loan spells becoming an important part of his pathway towards eventually challenging for Premier League football.

His development has occurred alongside an increasingly important role with New Zealand. Bindon made his senior international debut against DR Congo in October 2023 and has already accumulated 28 appearances for the All Whites despite being only 21. He was also part of New Zealand’s squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, adding experience at the highest international level to an already significant amount of senior club football for a player of his age.

That combination makes Bindon one of the most interesting members of the current New Zealand generation. While Chris Wood remains the most prominent Kiwi presence in English football, several younger All Whites are now attempting to establish themselves across strong European leagues. Bindon’s continued presence in the Championship gives him another season of regular high-level competition and keeps open the possibility of eventually breaking into Nottingham Forest’s Premier League plans.

Charlton, meanwhile, are strengthening considerably ahead of the new campaign. Bindon joins a summer recruitment class that also includes Ivan Mesík, Billy Koumetio, Karlan Grant, Danny McNamara, Millenic Alli, Nathaniel Chalobah, Timothy Ouma and Arthur Okonkwo.

His first opportunity to feature could come when Charlton host Queens Park Rangers at The Valley on 9 September.

For New Zealand, another season of meaningful minutes in England would be particularly valuable. At only 21, Bindon has already travelled from Auckland to California, Reading, Nottingham, Sheffield and now south London. The next stage of that journey begins at Charlton, with the All Whites defender continuing to build a career that increasingly places him among New Zealand’s most significant young players abroad.

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 for Solomon Islands at the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship in Samoa.

Yet Sabetian’s connection to Solomon Islands football runs considerably deeper than his eligibility. He is the nephew of Benjamin Totori, Gagame Feni and Matson Feni — three names closely associated with the country’s football scene — and now has the opportunity to begin writing his own chapter in that family history.

Speaking to Solomon Star’s Star Sports ahead of the tournament, Sabetian made clear what the call-up means to him.

“I’m so proud and honoured to represent Solomon Islands and proud of my Solomon Islands heritage,” he told Star Sports.

“I’m looking forward to the competition and will do my best for this team in any way I can.”

Born on 10 April 2007, Sabetian has developed as a footballer in New Zealand. He currently represents Waitemata FC in Auckland and has previously spent time within the youth systems of Waitākere United and Auckland City FC, giving him experience in some of the country’s established development environments.

His pathway has therefore been largely shaped by New Zealand football, but the possibility of representing Solomon Islands has always carried a strong personal meaning.

Much of that comes from the footballers he grew up watching within his own family.

Benjamin Totori became one of the most recognisable Solomon Islands players of his generation, representing the national team and playing at a high level across Oceania, including spells in New Zealand and with Wellington Phoenix. Gagame Feni has also been an important figure for Solomon Islands internationally, while Matson Feni has been involved at national level and has had his own long career in domestic football.

For Sabetian, their careers provided something tangible to follow.

“Seeing a lot of my uncles playing for the national team in the past and now, and being big names here, I also want to follow in their footsteps and make them and the nation proud,” he told Star Sports.

That family connection gives his arrival an unusual significance.

Sabetian is not simply a New Zealand-born player discovered through eligibility rules. His Solomon Islands identity has remained part of his life away from football as well, and he has previously appeared in New Zealand initiatives promoting Solomon Islands culture and Pijin language within the Pacific community.

Now football provides him with another way of strengthening that connection.

He arrives in the Solomon Islands U-19 setup as the only overseas-based player selected in the squad and offers coach Franco Ne’e a different background from most of his teammates. Described by Star Sports as a pacey attacker, Sabetian has spent his formative years playing in Auckland’s competitive football environment before joining a squad largely composed of locally based players.

Any concerns about adapting to a new group, however, appear to have disappeared quickly.

“I now have a great bond with the team. They are very welcoming and I’m proud to be with the squad. I hope we can go a long way into the competition,” Sabetian said.

His ambitions extend beyond simply making an appearance at the continental championship.

The OFC U-19 Men’s Championship carries major consequences for Solomon Islands. Two places at the next FIFA U-20 World Cup are available to Oceania, meaning a successful campaign would put this generation of Solomon Islands players on the world stage.

Sabetian believes that possibility should not be considered unrealistic.

“I have a strong belief that this squad can make history for the country,” he told Star Sports. “We have great boys, and I think we can match the other teams and really have a shot.”

Solomon Islands will face hosts Samoa, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea in Group A, with every match carrying significant weight in the battle to reach the knockout stages and remain in contention for World Cup qualification.

For Sabetian individually, however, the tournament carries another layer of meaning.

He represents an increasingly common reality within Oceanian football: a player developed abroad who remains connected to his Pacific heritage and chooses to bring that experience back into the region’s international game.

His story is also distinctly his own. New Zealand-born, with Iranian roots through his father and Solomon Islands heritage through his mother, Sabetian arrives on the international stage carrying several identities — but one very recognisable football surname legacy.

Totori and the Feni brothers have already left their mark on Solomon Islands football.

Now their nephew has his opportunity.

And when Ona Sabetian finally pulls on the yellow shirt, he will not only be representing Solomon Islands.

He will be continuing a family story that began long before his own international career.

‘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 and now to an important role with the Babasiga Lions.

The PNG attacker has quickly made his presence felt in Fijian football. Naime has scored three goals in the 2026 Fiji Premier League for Labasa, including an early goal against eventual champions Ba at Subrail Park, and was also involved in the club’s Fiji FACT campaign after arriving in the country.

Labasa finished the league campaign behind Ba, but Naime believes there is still an opportunity to finish this stage of the season with silverware. The defending Battle of the Giants champions will head to Ba looking to retain the trophy.

“The season was good. Our aim was to win the league, but unfortunately we came second,” Naime told Oceania Football Center. “My preparation is to win the BOG in Ba and prove that I am a champion.”

Rex Naime in Labasa colours – Source: Fijilive

The Battle of the Giants represents another chapter in what has been an eventful period for the Papua New Guinean. Labasa will face Nasinu, Suva and Navua in the group stage of the tournament, with Naime expected to be one of the attacking options available to coach Alvin Chand.

His move to Fiji followed an important season with PNG Hekari in the inaugural OFC Pro League. For Naime, playing regularly against some of the strongest clubs and players in the Pacific represented a significant step up.

“Firstly, I thank God for His blessing. It was good because it is the highest level in our region. I am so proud and I learned a lot playing against some big players,” he said.

Naime believes the competition demanded more than technical ability. With the quality of opposition increasing, he highlighted concentration and decision-making as areas where mistakes can quickly be punished.

“I experienced many things. You have to be mentally fit, make good decisions in games and stay focused because all the teams are at the top level. If you make one mistake, the team suffers.”

Hekari, however, endured a difficult inaugural Pro League campaign after entering the competition with significant expectations. Naime believes a lack of experience at that level among several members of the squad was one factor, while changes around the team during its preparation also affected the side.

According to the attacker, months of preparation were disrupted following the departure of the Brazilian coaching staff and players who had been working with the squad.

“I think many players were new to playing at that level of football. We also wasted three months of training because our coach from Brazil came and then left with two of his players. That was the main reason,” Naime explained.

The difficult Pro League season contrasted sharply with Hekari’s continental campaign one year earlier.

Naime was one of the outstanding performers of the 2025 OFC Champions League, scoring four goals as the Papua New Guinean giants reached the final of Oceania’s premier club competition for the first time in 15 years.

It remains one of the defining moments of his young career.

“That was the big moment for me and for Hekari, for people to remember my name, because after 15 years I helped take them to the final.”

But when asked about Hekari’s wider importance to his development, Naime went considerably further.

“Hekari is the foundation of my career. It gave me the chance to play at the top level in PNG, Oceania and now in the OFC Pro League. Because of Hekari, I got to play in the OFC Champions League, score four goals and help the team reach a final after 15 years.”

The attacker also credited the club for helping shape him away from the matches themselves.

“Most of all, I believe it is God’s plan. He opened the doors for me through Hekari. The club taught me discipline, hard work and faith. With God’s guidance and Hekari’s support, I am able to chase my dreams and represent my country.”

Naime summed up the relationship in even stronger terms.

“Hekari built me. Without Hekari, there is no Rex Naime at this level.”

He also thanked Hekari owner John Kapi Natto and Vonnie Kapi Natto for the support given to him during his development at the club.

Now, however, Naime is experiencing football outside Papua New Guinea.

He described Fijian football as having similarities to the game in PNG, and his first months with Labasa have already allowed him to experience the particular importance of district football and tournament competitions in Fiji.

There will also soon be another familiar Papua New Guinean face alongside him. Naime confirmed fellow PNG international Joseph Joe is returning to Labasa after previously representing the club during the Fiji FACT.

Beyond club football, Naime also expects to return to international duty.

With the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup approaching, the attacker said he expects to join the Papua New Guinea squad and is optimistic about what the Kapuls can produce, although he believes the changing standard of football across Oceania means results can no longer be taken for granted.

“Yes, I’ll be joining the team. I believe we are going to produce good results again, but we have to take one game at a time because the level of football in Oceania has changed after the Pro League.”

That change is something Naime has experienced personally.

Having faced international opposition with both Hekari and PNG before playing a full regional club competition, he believes the establishment of the OFC Pro League can have consequences extending beyond the tournament itself.

For players from Pacific nations where opportunities to enter professional football abroad remain limited, Naime sees the competition as a potential bridge to a bigger stage.

“It can change the level of football in Oceania, and I think the OFC Pro League is our way out as Oceania players to other countries overseas.”

That ambition gives additional context to Naime’s current spell in Fiji.

At Hekari, he developed into a player capable of deciding matches on the continental stage. The Pro League then exposed him to regular competition against some of the region’s strongest teams. With Labasa, he is now adapting to another football environment and contributing goals in one of the Pacific’s most competitive domestic leagues.

Naime identified game control, reading situations and finishing among the areas he continues to work on.

For now, however, the immediate objective is much simpler.

The next opportunity is the Battle of the Giants in Ba, where Naime will attempt to help Labasa defend one of Fiji football’s major trophies.

After helping Hekari return to an OFC Champions League final, testing himself in the new Pro League and establishing himself in Fiji, the PNG international has another chance to demonstrate why his name has increasingly become one to follow in Pacific football.

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 off next week at Four R Stadium at Govind Park in Ba.

The move comes shortly after Suri completed another important assignment in Oceania football, leading Vanuatu side Galaxy FC at the 2026 OFC Men’s Champions League in Fiji. His work with Galaxy now opens another chapter in a coaching career that has increasingly taken him beyond his native Solomon Islands.

Suri is already a familiar name in Fiji. During his playing career, the former Solomon Islands international represented Nadi FC, giving him previous experience of the local football environment before returning to the country in a coaching capacity.

After his playing days, Suri moved into coaching and has worked with Solomon Islands age-group national teams as well as clubs across the Pacific. His club experience includes spells with Ifira Black Bird and Galaxy FC in Vanuatu, with the latter becoming his most recent project before the Lautoka appointment.

His arrival represents an important move not only for Lautoka but also for Solomon Islands football, with one of the country’s most recognisable former internationals now being entrusted with a major coaching role in another of Oceania’s strongest domestic football environments.

Lautoka will also provide Suri with an immediate challenge. The Battle of the Giants remains one of the major tournaments on the Fijian football calendar, and the Blues will enter the competition looking to compete for silverware under their new coach.

The timing of the appointment means Suri will have little time to settle before competitive action begins. However, his recent experience in Fiji with Galaxy during the OFC Champions League should provide useful familiarity with local conditions and opposition.

The Fiji FA announcement did not specify the length of Suri’s agreement with Lautoka, with the appointment currently presented in the context of the upcoming Battle of the Giants.

For Suri, the move adds another important step to a career that has taken him through several different football environments in the Pacific — first as one of Solomon Islands’ prominent players and increasingly now as a coach working across the region.

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 earlier in August, when president John Kapi Natto said the association would not assemble its national teams while allowances, reimbursements and other financial commitments from previous MSG tournaments remained unresolved.

PNGFA has now been instructed to assemble both the Kapuls and the Bilums and begin preparations for the fifth edition of the regional tournament, scheduled to be played in Fiji from September 17 to October 3.

General secretary Armjad Tekwie confirmed that discussions with the Office of the Prime Minister had produced the assurances required for the federation to move forward.

“We have been advised to assemble both teams and commence preparations,” Tekwie said.

However, the dispute is not yet financially resolved.

According to NBC PNG, around K469,000 in outstanding payments remained unpaid as of August 20. PNGFA has been assured that the money will be released before the national teams leave for Fiji, with their departure scheduled for September 14.

“We were assured that payments will be made before the teams leave for Fiji,” Tekwie said.

The outstanding commitments concern players who represented Papua New Guinea in both the 2024 and 2025 editions of the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup.

The 2024 case has been unresolved for more than a year. The Kapuls won the tournament in Honiara, Solomon Islands, but players subsequently complained that allowances promised for their participation had not been paid.

In May 2025, the Post-Courier reported that the PNG Sports Foundation had provided and paid player allowances during the first two editions of the competition but had still not fulfilled the equivalent commitment from the 2024 tournament despite previous assurances and budget provisions.

A separate K100,000 incentive provided by Prime Minister James Marape was distributed to players and officials following the triumph. That payment, however, was distinct from the outstanding allowances. Later in 2025, it was reported that a commitment of K4,000 per player connected to the MSG campaign was still outstanding.

The issue then extended into the 2025 competition, hosted by Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby.

That edition saw the Bilums make history by winning the inaugural women’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup, while the Kapuls reached the men’s final before losing to Vanuatu on penalties. Despite the sporting success, financial commitments arising from the tournament were again left unresolved.

PNGFA has also claimed reimbursements remain outstanding to the association and other stakeholders who contributed money or support to the staging of the 2025 tournament.

It was this accumulation of obligations that prompted Kapi Natto to take the unusual step of putting Papua New Guinea’s 2026 participation on hold.

“Our players and officials have represented Papua New Guinea with pride, discipline and commitment,” Natto said when announcing the federation’s position.

The PNGFA president argued that the association could not continue asking players to represent the country while financial commitments made to them during previous tournaments remained unsettled.

The latest episode is therefore not simply a dispute between players and PNGFA. The MSG Prime Minister’s Cup is government-supported, and much of the current disagreement centres on obligations involving the PNG Sports Foundation and other state structures rather than money directly controlled by the football association.

Nevertheless, delayed payments are not an unfamiliar subject in Papua New Guinea football.

In 2019, K200,000 in National Soccer League prize money remained unpaid to the competition’s top four clubs after the season had finished. Officials blamed unpaid affiliation fees from participating clubs for the delay.

Financial complaints resurfaced in 2023, when match officials publicly claimed that referees across PNGFA-sanctioned competitions were owed more than K20,000, while further outstanding payments reportedly remained from the previous season.

In January 2024, PNGFA again acknowledged that prize money owed to leading clubs from its men’s and women’s national competitions had not yet been paid. The federation said financial difficulties, including a lack of government and commercial support, had contributed to the delay.

An even more serious precedent involved former Kapuls coach Flemming Serritslev. The Danish coach, who led PNG to the historic 2016 OFC Nations Cup final, pursued PNGFA for unpaid salary, contractual payments and a Nations Cup performance bonus. Documents later presented in proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport showed that PNGFA had acknowledged a substantial outstanding debt under a 2017 settlement.

There have also been attempts to change that record. PNGFA described the 2025 Premier Soccer League season as a significant administrative improvement after prize money was deposited directly into the winners’ accounts on the day of the final.

The MSG situation, however, demonstrates that player welfare remains vulnerable when financial responsibilities are divided between football authorities, government institutions and tournament organisers.

For Papua New Guinea, the immediate sporting question has at least been answered.

The Kapuls are scheduled to open their campaign against Vanuatu on September 17 before facing New Caledonia, Fiji and Solomon Islands. The Bilums will also travel to Fiji to defend the women’s title they won in Port Moresby.

But the more important question remains unresolved until the money reaches the players.

Papua New Guinea is going to the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup. The commitments that almost kept the country out of it still have to be honoured.

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 the 63rd minute at King Abdullah Sports City, while Auckland finished the match with ten men following a late red card to Sam Cosgrove.

The result brought an immediate end to Auckland FC’s first FIFA campaign, but the context behind the team that represented Oceania in Saudi Arabia is particularly significant.

Auckland qualified for the Intercontinental Cup by winning the inaugural OFC Pro League earlier this year. However, the side that faced Al-Ahli was substantially different from the one that had spent the first half of 2026 competing across the Pacific.

Instead, Auckland arrived in Jeddah with essentially the strength of their senior A-League operation.

The distinction matters.

During the OFC Pro League season, Auckland FC operated a separate squad under Luke Casserly while the club’s senior team simultaneously competed in Australia’s A-League. The arrangement proved remarkably successful: Auckland’s A-League side won the championship before its Pro League squad defeated South Melbourne 2-1 at Eden Park the following day to complete an extraordinary double for the club.

The Pro League title provided Auckland with the ticket to the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. When the time came to use it, however, the club was able to turn primarily to the squad that had competed at the higher weekly level of the A-League.

Of the 22 players selected to travel to Saudi Arabia, only seven had been members of Auckland’s OFC Pro League-winning group. Just three of those players eventually appeared against Al-Ahli.

Daniel Normann provided the most direct connection between the two campaigns.

One of the outstanding performers of the inaugural OFC Pro League, the Norwegian midfielder made 14 appearances, won Auckland FC’s Players’ Player of the Season award and was awarded the OFC Pro League Golden Ball. His performances earned him promotion into the club’s A-League squad alongside defender Ronan Wynne.

Normann was the only regular member of Auckland’s Pro League championship side to start against Al-Ahli.

Wynne, who made 12 appearances during the Pro League campaign and was named Auckland’s MVP for that competition, joined the action in the 53rd minute. Van Fitzharris was introduced in the 76th minute.

They were the only three players to take the field in Jeddah who had also played a direct role in Auckland’s OFC Pro League campaign.

The rest of the team reflected the strength available to the club through its A-League operation, with names such as Michael Woud, Hiroki Sakai, Nando Pijnaker, Francis de Vries, Felipe Gallegos, Logan Rogerson and Sam Cosgrove involved from the start.

That made Auckland’s FIFA debut a particularly interesting test.

The Black Knights were no longer facing Pacific opposition with the largely separate group assembled for the OFC Pro League. They were taking the core of a team capable of winning the A-League into a match against the reigning AFC Champions League Elite winners.

And the difference between the two continental environments could hardly have been more striking.

Al-Ahli lined up with a squad packed with players accustomed to elite European and international football, including former Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, Brazilian international Galeno, Portuguese attacker Francisco Trincão, Brazilian defender Roger Ibañez and England striker Ivan Toney.

Auckland were also entering the match in difficult circumstances. It was their first competitive fixture since winning the A-League Championship in May, with the New Zealanders still effectively in pre-season under new head coach Pedro Moreira.

In front of an estimated crowd of 45,000 and in demanding heat and humidity, Auckland nevertheless refused to simply retreat and survive.

Al-Ahli controlled more of the ball and produced the greater volume of attacks, but Auckland had opportunities of their own during an encouraging opening half.

Michael Woud was required to make an important save from Galeno after 17 minutes, but Auckland responded through Logan Rogerson.

The New Zealand international caused problems for the Saudi defence and forced Mendy into action, most notably with a looping header that required an acrobatic save from the Senegalese goalkeeper.

Woud was again decisive before half-time, denying Eduard Spertsyan to ensure Auckland reached the interval at 0-0.

For a side playing its first competitive match in three months, away from home against the champions of Asia, Auckland had done considerably more than merely remain alive in the contest.

Al-Ahli continued to push after the restart and finally found their breakthrough shortly after turning to the bench.

Abu Al-Shamat entered the match in the 62nd minute and made an almost immediate impact. Spertsyan broke forward down the left and created the opportunity for the substitute, who finished past Woud in the 63rd minute.

The goal ultimately separated the sides.

Auckland remained in the match and Al-Ahli were unable to turn their territorial superiority into a comfortable victory. Cosgrove’s straight red card with three minutes of normal time remaining made the prospect of a late equaliser considerably more difficult, and the Asian champions eventually closed out the 1-0 win.

Moreira was proud of his side after the match and highlighted the circumstances surrounding Auckland’s first competitive appearance of the new season.

“We did an amazing job. We cannot forget that we are in pre-season,” he said.

“This is the first time these players played a full 90 minutes. With this weather, with this humidity, with this crowd… amazing, I am very proud of this team.”

Auckland’s elimination continues Oceania’s difficult record in the opening stages of the new Intercontinental Cup format, but the margin was considerably narrower than in the region’s previous two appearances.

Auckland City, then qualifying as OFC Champions League winners, were beaten 6-2 by Asian champions Al Ain in the inaugural 2024 edition. The Navy Blues returned in 2025 and suffered a 3-0 defeat against African champions Pyramids FC in Cairo.

This time it was Auckland FC representing the region, following the OFC’s decision to award Oceania’s Intercontinental Cup place through its new professional competition.

A 1-0 defeat against the Asian champions therefore provides an encouraging result for Oceanian football, but it also requires some context.

It would be premature to interpret the performance in Jeddah simply as proof that the OFC Pro League has already closed the gap between Oceania and the stronger continental competitions.

The team that won the Pro League and the team that faced Al-Ahli were largely different.

Auckland effectively won Oceania’s new professional championship with a second squad while its strongest players were focused on the A-League. Once qualification for FIFA competition had been secured, the club was able to bring those two structures together and send predominantly its senior A-League group to Saudi Arabia.

That advantage cannot be ignored when comparing Auckland with the other clubs competing in the OFC Pro League.

At the same time, the pathway created by the competition was visible.

Normann is perhaps its clearest example. He entered the year as part of Auckland’s Pro League squad, emerged as the competition’s best player, earned promotion to the A-League group and, months later, started against the champions of Asia on the FIFA stage. Wynne followed a similar route from the Pro League into Auckland’s senior squad.

In that sense, the Intercontinental Cup highlighted two different strengths of the Auckland FC project: the considerable depth created by having access to both an A-League-level first team and a competitive Pro League squad, and the possibility of using the Oceanian competition to develop players capable of making the step into the senior professional environment.

For the rest of the region, however, Auckland’s performance also provides food for thought.

Most OFC Pro League clubs do not possess another first team competing every week in a competition of the A-League’s standard. Auckland FC do. Their route to Jeddah may have come through the Pro League, but the team that represented Oceania once they arrived there was predominantly the A-League champion rather than the side seen throughout the Pacific competition.

That makes the 1-0 result both encouraging and difficult to use as a direct measurement of the OFC Pro League itself.

What can be measured is Auckland FC.

Less than two years after entering professional football, the club has already won the A-League Championship, captured the first OFC Pro League title and made its debut on the FIFA stage.

In Jeddah, facing a team containing players who have competed at some of the highest levels of world football, Auckland were beaten — but they were not overwhelmed.

Al-Ahli advance to meet African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria on 19 September for the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup.

Auckland FC return home with their first Intercontinental Cup campaign over after only one game, but also with a valuable reference point.

The ticket to Jeddah was earned by their OFC Pro League team. The performance in Jeddah was delivered largely by their A-League champions.

Understanding that distinction is essential when assessing what Auckland FC’s narrow defeat really tells us about the club — and about the new era of professional football that Oceania has only just begun.

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 social media phenomenon with millions of followers. His move from Wellington Phoenix to Olimpia inevitably attracted curiosity well beyond New Zealand and Paraguay.

A few weeks into his South American adventure, however, Payne is beginning to give people a footballing reason to continue following him.

The 32-year-old completed the full 90 minutes as Olimpia defeated arch-rivals Cerro Porteño 2-1 in the Paraguayan Superclásico on Sunday, another important step in a remarkably positive start to life with one of South America’s historic clubs.

It was Payne’s third appearance in the Paraguayan Clausura — and Olimpia have won all three matches in which the All White has taken the field.

His introduction to Paraguayan football could hardly have gone better. After entering from the bench against Rubio Ñu on August 2, Payne marked his official debut with a spectacular goal in a 5-0 victory. He later earned a place in the starting XI for the 2-1 win over Sportivo Ameliano before retaining his position for the biggest domestic fixture on Olimpia’s calendar.

Against Cerro Porteño, Payne was no longer a novelty signing waiting to be introduced to Paraguayan football. He was Olimpia’s starting right-back in front of a packed Defensores del Chaco, playing the entire Superclásico as the Decano recovered from a goal down to claim a 2-1 victory.

That distinction matters.

Payne’s transfer was inevitably accompanied by discussion over its commercial potential. His extraordinary rise on social media during the World Cup gave Olimpia access to an international audience vastly larger than the one normally surrounding a Paraguayan domestic signing.

But the first weeks of his spell have begun shifting the conversation from marketing towards football.

His popularity has also started to become visible among Olimpia supporters themselves.

When the club released its squad for the Copa Paraguay round-of-32 meeting with Cristóbal Colón of J. Augusto Saldívar, Payne was among the regular starters left out as coach Pablo Sánchez prepared to rotate his team following a demanding sequence of matches. The decision quickly generated reactions from supporters on social media asking why the New Zealander was absent and when they would see him again.

Some fans pointed to the obvious explanation — that Payne was being rested and preserved for the Clausura — but the reaction itself was revealing. Only weeks after arriving in Paraguay, supporters were already asking to see the All White every time Olimpia took the field.

There have been other signs of that growing connection.

The match-worn and signed shirt from Payne’s goalscoring debut attracted extraordinary interest when it was put up for auction, with bidding reaching more than 20 million Paraguayan guaraníes. For a player who had never represented Olimpia before August, the attention surrounding his first shirt provided another indication that his World Cup fame had successfully travelled with him to Asunción.

The important difference now is that the relationship is beginning to work both ways. The global following brought attention to Olimpia, while Olimpia supporters are increasingly embracing Payne because of what he has actually done in their colours.

His South American spell has already brought him close to another significant milestone.

Payne was registered by Olimpia for the knockout stages of the Copa Sudamericana and was among the substitutes for both legs of the round-of-16 tie against Brazilian giants Vasco da Gama. He did not enter either match, with the Paraguayan side eventually eliminated after a 4-1 defeat in Asunción following a goalless first leg at São Januário.

That means Payne is still waiting for his first appearance in a CONMEBOL club competition.

The route he has taken remains extremely unusual for a New Zealand footballer.

Former All White Michael Wilson had a spell with Ecuadorian side Aucas in 2009, while Marco Rojas later represented Chilean giants Colo-Colo and went one step further by appearing in the Copa Libertadores. Payne has now added Paraguay to that very short history of New Zealand internationals establishing themselves in South American club football.

His case is particularly striking because of the environment into which he has arrived.

Olimpia are not merely another destination abroad. The club are three-time Copa Libertadores champions and one half of Paraguay’s defining football rivalry. Within weeks of leaving Wellington, Payne has gone from A-League football to playing 90 minutes in a Superclásico and being part of a Copa Sudamericana knockout squad.

The story also remains closely connected to the All Whites.

New Zealand will return to international action later this year, giving Payne another opportunity to carry his Paraguayan experience back into Darren Bazeley’s national team. The All Whites are scheduled to compete in Japan’s Kirin Cup in October before returning home for two matches against India in November.

For Payne, regular minutes at Olimpia would provide a very different preparation for those international windows from anything he had experienced before the World Cup.

And that may ultimately become the most interesting part of the story.

During the World Cup, millions began following Tim Payne because an internet campaign turned an almost unknown New Zealand defender into an unlikely global celebrity.

Olimpia recognised the opportunity and brought that audience to Paraguay.

But football has a way of deciding whether those stories last.

A goal on debut, three league appearances followed by three victories, a full 90 minutes in a winning Superclásico and Olimpia supporters already asking why he is not involved when his name disappears from a matchday squad suggest that Payne is beginning to accomplish something much more difficult than becoming viral.

He is becoming relevant for what happens on the pitch.