New Zealand beat New Calendonia to grab OFC’s guaranteed 2026 slot
March 24 – New Zealand laboured to a 3-0 victory against New Caledonia to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and return to the global stage for the first time in 16 years.
Oceania
24 clubs apply to enter eight-team OFC Professional League
March 4 – Twenty-four clubs have expressed interest in playing in the OFC Professional League, the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has confirmed.
OFC opens applications for ‘transformative’ Professional League ahead of 2026 launch
February 11 – The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has launched the club application process for the region’s new Professional League, which will debut in 2026 with the hope of professionalising the club game across the Pacific.
New Zealand FA builds grassroots links with Māori Football Aotearoa
January 2 – New Zealand Football (NZF) have partnered with Māori Football Aotearoa to support the development of the game.
Foley plans stadium build for his new Aussie A League franchise Auckland FC
October 29 – Billionaires Bill Foley and Anna Mowbray, alongside former All Black Ali Williams, have reportedly tabled a “very impressive proposal” for an 8,000-capacity football stadium at Auckland’s Western Springs site, which could become the permanent home of new A-League franchise Auckland FC.
New book documents a 1974 World Cup story that turned the old order downside up
September 24 – Australia first qualified for the World Cup finals in 1974. It was a momentous achievement for a team of mainly immigrants, playing the game as part timers, who were written off as no-hopers.
Former Cook Islands FA president Lee Harmon loses appeal against ban
August 28 – Lee Harmon, the former President of the Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA), remains banned from the game after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed his appeal.
OFC to use FIFA+ streaming channels to build competition awareness
February 28 – The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has partnered with FIFA+ to stream tournaments and competitions in a bid to ensure greater exposure for the game in the region, the confederation confirmed.
Kiwis hammer Solomon Islands to secure Paris 2024 slot
February 20 – New Zealand have booked their ticket for the Olympic Women’s Football tournament after thrashing Solomon Islands 11-1 in the Oceania qualifying final.
New Zealand women stride towards Paris 2024 with Fiji win, Solomon Islands next
February 16 – The New Zealand Ferns are one match away from clinching a ticket for the Olympic Women’s Football Tournament in Paris after they eliminated Fiji to set up an OFC qualifying final against the Solomon Islands.
Bill Foley buys Australian A-League’s new Auckland franchise
November 21 – Australia’s A-League has confirmed that a new Auckland-based franchise will feature in the league next season, heralding the return of professional club football to New Zealand.
Aussies and Kiwis to play Ashes match in London
October 2 – Brentford’s G-Tech Community Stadium will host a historic reignition of football rivalry between New Zealand and Australia later this month, as the ‘soccer ashes’ returns after a 69-year hiatus.
New Zealand secure Oceania’s slot at Paris 2024 with big win over Fiji
September 12 – The Olywhites of New Zealand will represent Oceania at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris after thrashing 10-man Fiji 9-0.
PNG fail to turn up for opening match of Paris 2024 qualifying tournament in NZ
August 29 – The Olympic men’s qualifier between New Zealand and Papua New Guinea was derailed after the island nation failed to travel to Auckland for the opening match of the regional tournament in against the hosts at the Mt Smart Stadium.
Saudis sign OFC MoU to develop Women’s game, as well as Beach and Futsal disciplines
August 18 – The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has strengthened ties with Oceania, signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). The confederation said that the MoU does not involve a cash investment by Saudi Arabia in the region.