OFC to finalise 8 clubs for Pro League today

The Oceania Football Confederations (OFC) executives will meet in Auckland, New Zealand, today to finalise the eight clubs to play in the inaugural OFC Pro League that kicks-off in January 15, 2026.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf confirmed yesterday that the two clubs from Fiji are still in the running.

“The OFC will finalise the eight clubs tomorrow (today) but the official announcement will be done on August 29,” he said. 

According to OFC, there are four clubs from New Zealand, two each from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Australia, one club each from Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu. Australia is permitted a maximum of one team in the Pro League, while OFC member associations may have a maximum of two teams.

Yusuf said Fiji FA has made submissions to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, as they seek Government’s assistance in the process.

“This will be a professional set-up,” he added.

Yusuf indicated that one of the clubs is Suva based while the other is going to be in Ba. 

Competition format

The inaugural season will run from early January through to the end of May 2026, with each club playing a minimum of 17 matches. The competition will feature five “circuit series” rounds hosted at various Pacific locations, using a double round-robin format. 

After this phase, teams will be split into two playoff groups: Leaders and Challengers. 

The Leaders Playoff Group will see the top four teams battle for three of the four semi-final spots. 

The Challengers Playoff Group will involve the remaining teams, with the top side earning a playoff match against the fourth-placed team from the Leaders Group for the final semi-final berth. The semi-finals and the grand final will be single-leg knockout matches. The format has been designed to maintain competitive intensity and fan engagement throughout the season.

Stadium update

Meanwhile, Yusuf said the start of Phase One construction of Fiji FA stadium at Lomolomo, Lautoka, is on track.

He said that Fiji FA’s development committee has been working closely with FIFA as the greenlight has been given.

“However, we’re still waiting for certain approvals from the Director of Town and Country Planning (DTCP). We are waiting for the approval from the DTCP and when it comes, the work starts,” Yusuf said.

The first phase is going to cost around $2 million where they are going to raise the ground by one metre.