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.
Oceania
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.
Infantino jets into Vanuatu and Fiji, unveils a ‘Pele pitch’ and gets a Legends game in
August 7 – Criticised for travelling via private jet on a whistlestop tour of a number of Pacific Rim nations during the group stages of the Women’s World Cup, FIFA president Gianni Infantino was back amongst Oceania confederation nations as the last 16 knockout round was kicking off.
Infantino’s whistle-stop PacRim trip was all about the money… and a bit about the votes
August 2 – Having been criticised for leaving the hosts of the Women’s World Cup to tour the Pacific Islands, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has detailed his meetings and appointments on his private jet whistle-stop tour, adding a video news release from his last stop in Tonga.
Vanuatu’s Maltock returned for another term as OFC president
By Samindra Kunti in Kigali
March 15 – Lambert Maltock from the Pacific Island Vanuatu has been re-elected for another four-year team as president of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC).
Concacaf and OFC look to the future with new Memorandum of Understanding
October 24 – Concacaf and The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will see the two confederations collaborate on developing the game in both regions.
Auckland FC secure 10th appearance at CWC with 10th OFC Champions League win
August 17 – New Zealand’s Auckland City FC have booked a ticket for the Club World Cup after defeating Tahiti’s AS Venus 3-0 to clinch a 10th OFC Champions League.
Cook Islands club gifted slot for Oceania Champions League finals in New Zealand
June 7 – The finals tournament for Oceania’s Champions League will be hosted by New Zealand in August, with all eight competing teams to be confirmed at the end of June, the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has announced.
Fiji to host OFC Women’s Nations Cup, winners earn 2023 World Cup play-off
April 29 – Fiji will host the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2022 in July with the winner earning a spot for the inter-continental playoffs on the road to the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
New Zealand beat Tahiti to set up OFC qualifying final against the Solomon Islands
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
March 28 – New Zealand edged towards a ticket for the international World Cup playoff following a laboured 1-0 victory against Tahiti to set up the OFC qualification final against Solomon Islands.
OFC 2022 qualifiers: Covid kills Vanuatu’s campaign, Cook Islands also hit
March 21 – Vanuatu have withdrawn from Oceania’s eight-team World Cup qualifiers because of a Covid-19 outbreak in the squad. The Cooks Islands’ second game was also postponed due to positive coronavirus cases.
OFC 2022 qualifiers: Solomon Islands open with win, Vanuatu hit by Covid, NZ waiting
March 18 – The Solomon Islands defeated the Cook Islands 2-0 to kick off the eight-team Oceania World Cup qualifiers with a ticket for the intercontinental playoffs at stake, but on the first day of the tournament Tahiti – Vanuatu had to be postponed because of a Covid-19 outbreak.
Arrest warrants issued for OFC bosses charged with fraud over House of Football site in NZ
By Andrew Warshaw
February 17 – Years after being plunged into scandal with a spate of high ranking officials banned for financial wrongdoing, the Oceania Football Association (OFC) has once again become embroiled in chaos and corruption.
AFC mobilises Asian support for OFC’s Tongan appeal
January 25 – Support is gathering for the Oceania Football Confederation’s campaign to support Tonga following the devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami which hit the country.