A new era in international football begins on Sunday when Vanuatu United meet Bula FC of Fiji in Auckland, New Zealand, in the first match of the Oceania Football Confederation Pro League.
Eight teams from seven countries in the region – the others being New Zealand, Tahiti, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Australia – will play at least 17 matches over the next three months.
Organizers say the new competition is a much-needed step for the region, where individual countries are too small to support top-level domestic competitions.
“The OFC was the only confederation that did not have a professional league with any of its member associations, which limited the advancement opportunities for players,” said Stuart Larman, the league’s project manager. The Associated Press.
“OFC players will now have a significant increase in highly competitive matches each year,” Larman added. “This will be the starting point where the best players in the region will become familiar with a professional football environment as they progress in their careers.”
The competition will be split into two phases. In the first, each team faces the other seven twice, spread over five rounds. The first will be hosted in New Zealand and then the matches will move to Papua New Guinea, Australia, the Solomon Islands and Fiji.
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After fourteen matches, the eight teams split into two groups. The top three from the top group and a play-off winner advance to the semi-finals. All these matches will be played in New Zealand.
The competition will also determine which team will represent Oceania at the next FIFA Club World Cup in 2029 and provide significant financial rewards. Auckland City represented Oceania at the Club World Cup last year and caused a major upset in the tournament when the New Zealand side, made up of mainly amateur players, drew against high-profile Argentine club Boca Juniors.
Playing regular football will also help raise standards in Oceania and provide more professional pathways for young players.
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“Technically, the guys (in New Zealand) are very gifted,” said Rob Sherman, head coach of South Island United, an OFC Pro League team based in Auckland. “There is definitely a ton of talent in the region. Hopefully playing at a different level than domestically will accelerate and expose that talent.”
There is also a lot to do outside the field. Small populations mean limited revenue from broadcasts and sponsorships, but pooling these resources can make a difference. Then more clubs from other islands could join.
“It would be a big step in the long term if the league were to expand from the existing eight clubs,” said Larman. “That will require a lot of things falling into place with the existing clubs, but also with those who want to join. As we move forward, we will work hard with the clubs to ensure they build on the foundations they have in place to ensure they are well structured off the pitch, which will also be reflected on the pitch.”
The OFC Pro League could serve as an example for others. There is talk of a new Baltic League, involving Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, to help teams grow and compete in wider European competitions. Similar discussions have taken place among Southeast Asian countries.
“In countries where it is difficult to maintain a professional football league, the cross-border option should always be an option to explore,” Larman said. “The commercial and sporting benefits will help bridge the gap that exists with leading competitions in any region.”
Published on January 16, 2026
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