All overseas based- players will have to assemble in the country before they travel to Qatar in March, next year, to play in the Oceania qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

This was the message from Digicel Fijian football head coach Flemming Serristlev.

Six months away from the qualifiers, Serristlev has plans of getting the players together before they leave for the qualifiers.

“I’m constantly in touch and communicating well with our overseas based- players in terms of their availability for the competition,” he said.

“We are trying to get all of them to camp here at home.

“The Ba football academy is the perfect place. They will have to come but they will have to obey the FIFA rules in terms of club and players’ availability.

“I understand that their clubs will want to use them but it all depends on the window of opportunity these players have.

“Once their clubs release them, then they will have to come home, quarantine and join the team camp.”

He added that given the short-time to prepare for the qualifiers, they are waiting for Government’s approval for the team to camp.

“I believe we will prepare everything as soon as we get permission from the government,” he said.

“We have submitted our application to the Ministry of Health as we want to get started.

“Most of our players and officials are fully vaccinated including our staff at the Ba football academy.

“This where we will be camping so it is great to mention that they are fully vaccinated.

Now, more people and players are vaccinated, with the borders open we will arrange for a bubble where we can have some friendly matches with local teams.”

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua 

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