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OFC 2026 WC Qualifying

Yeah the only thing that surprised me with the NZ Vanuatu game was how few goals Chris Wood scored. I mean only 2, come on, step it up mate hahahahaha
 
Will be interested in the Tahiti v Vanuatu game tbh - lots to play for.

Path to the World Cup at the moment in Oceania is:

New Caledonia v Tahiti/Vanuatu (Tahiti ahead on goal difference)
New Zealand v Fiji
Winner of Match 1 v Winner of Match 2 (Winner qualifies for World Cup, loser goes to intercontinental playoffs)

The above matches all held in NZ during the March window.
 
NicCarBel said:
Will be interested in the Tahiti v Vanuatu game tbh - lots to play for.

Path to the World Cup at the moment in Oceania is:

New Caledonia v Tahiti/Vanuatu (Tahiti ahead on goal difference)
New Zealand v Fiji
Winner of Match 1 v Winner of Match 2 (Winner qualifies for World Cup, loser goes to intercontinental playoffs)

The above matches all held in NZ during the March window.
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Oooh, and this match is on in 5 minutes! (on FIFA+ app)
 
Watching games like this just makes me miss the World Cup games they stopped releasing after 2014. Was so fun to try and play through and qualify as an Oceanian team.
 
2-0 to Tahiti after an early own goal, and a penalty in the second half.

New Zealand still yet to play Samoa, although they are guaranteed top place in the group (unless Samoa miraculously manages to thrash them by 9 goals)
The March games will see New Zealand v Fiji on one side, with a French Territory derby on the other - New Caledonia v Tahiti. Winners face off for a place in the World Cup finals.
 
Friday March 21st - held at Sky Stadium:
New Caledonia v Tahiti
New Zealand v Fiji

Monday March 24th - held at Eden Park:
New Caledonia or Tahiti v New Zealand or Fiji*

*winner qualifies for 2026 FIFA World Cup (Canada-Mexico-USA)
*loser qualifies for Inter-confederation play-offs
 
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NZ destroyed Samoa in the end. Chris Wood with a hat-trick for his efforts. I do have to say it is nice seeing Sarpreet Singh back involved with the NZ NT.
 
Volrath2002 said:
View attachment 301

NZ destroyed Samoa in the end. Chris Wood with a hat-trick for his efforts. I do have to say it is nice seeing Sarpreet Singh back involved with the NZ NT.
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I do think that with one auto qualifying spot now for Oceania, New Zealand won't hold back, gives their team more time to gel.
To be fair, I don't think they ever really went through a period where the best didn't play (unlike Australia in 2002 WCQ as one example)
 
NicCarBel said:
I do think that with one auto qualifying spot now for Oceania, New Zealand won't hold back, gives their team more time to gel.
To be fair, I don't think they ever really went through a period where the best didn't play (unlike Australia in 2002 WCQ as one example)
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Yeah, NZ have always put their best foot forward with team selection for World Cup quals. Most of the time it has not worked out, but sometimes it has. I do think they will benefit from more players playing overseas and having 2 ALM teams now. Plus having an auto spot for the WC makes it a far more achievable goal for them. No oh btw to make the World Cup, here is Mexico, good luck :P.
 
Volrath2002 said:
Yeah, NZ have always put their best foot forward with team selection for World Cup quals. Most of the time it has not worked out, but sometimes it has. I do think they will benefit from more players playing overseas and having 2 ALM teams now. Plus having an auto spot for the WC makes it a far more achievable goal for them. No oh btw to make the World Cup, here is Mexico, good luck :P.
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I'm interested to see how/if the likes of Tahiti, et al will improve given they get the playoff now.
 
New Zealand against New Caledonia next week for a place at the WC. Imagine if the minnows win!
 
A mate sent me the goals from New Caledonia v Tahiti. Two great goals from the same player, whose name escapes me. Check them out if you get the chance!
 
JS96 said:
New Zealand against New Caledonia next week for a place at the WC. Imagine if the minnows win!
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Just imagine the buzz though if we stayed in Oceania - while it would almost essentially mean Australia v NZ in the final every four years, would be an interesting playoff
 
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