FIFA.com - News

Development boost for the women’s game in Oceania

Wed, 15 May 2013 06:33:00 GMT

Each of Oceania’s Member Associations were in attendance this week for the FIFA/OFC Women’s Football Development Seminar with collaborative growth of the game in the region a key focus.

New route opens up for Oceania aspirants

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 05:49:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews the upcoming OFC Champions League season which boasts a new format as eight clubs, led by reigning champions Auckland City, bid for Oceanian club supremacy.

Drama and emotion on Oceania’s World Cup path

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 07:51:00 GMT

FIFA.com takes a look back at what has been a typically fascinating odyssey for Oceania’s Brazil 2014 aspirants, with Tahiti and American Samoa enjoying breakthrough success, while New Zealand eventually secured top spot.

Hollywood treatment for American Samoa

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:11:00 GMT

In a true story of perseverance over adversity, the footballing minnows of American Samoa celebrated their first-ever international victory in late 2011 – after 17 years of trying. Now their historic journey is destined for the big screen.

Cook Islands keep hopes alive amid late drama

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 07:55:00 GMT

Cook Islands left it late before nudging out American Samoa to win the preliminary stage of Oceania qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Apia, Samoa.

New look for Oceania’s elite club competition

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 08:28:00 GMT

The revamped format for the 2013 OFC Champions League has been confirmed with the tournament, previously known as the O-League, undergoing a change of format for the 2013 edition.

Pago Youth seal another title

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 02:00:00 GMT

Pago Youth A have won their third successive national crown, and their fourth title in the past five seasons.

What is international football’s biggest rivalry?

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 10:36:00 GMT

FIFA.com wants to know what you feel is the biggest rivalry in the international game.

England hit high, South Sudan debut

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 08:58:00 GMT

England climbed to third on the global ladder as Ecuador, Libya, Central African Republic, Dominican Republic, Aruba and American Samoa also reached personal bests, while South Sudan made their first appearance.

Grassroots courses building foundations in Polynesia

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 08:26:00 GMT

Aspiring coaches in the Polynesian nations of Samoa and American Samoa have received a boost after a FIFA’s Grassroots course was hosted by the respective national associations.

Auckland continue to reign in Oceania

Tue, 15 May 2012 09:49:00 GMT

Auckland City will once again feature at the FIFA Club World Cup but the Oceania heavyweights were forced to do it the hard way in a gruelling OFC O-League campaign, as FIFA.com reports.

Battling Kiwis defy Oceania challengers

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 09:44:00 GMT

New Zealand may have confirmed expectations in securing passage to London 2012 but the Kiwis were made to work hard before edging past an impressive Fiji in what was a fitting finale to the Oceania qualifying tournament.

London calling in Oceania

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:03:00 GMT

Hosts New Zealand are ranked as strong favourites as Oceanian aspirants prepare to battle for continental glory over the coming week, with passage to London 2012 the prize on offer.

Training, tournaments dominate in Futsal

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:39:00 GMT

FIFA.com's latest monthly Futsal round-up reflects on another busy period of training seminars and tournaments, as well as the announcements of the hosts for the UEFA Futsal EURO 2014 and the UEFA Futsal Cup.

Patience rewarded for American Samoa

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:04:00 GMT

American Samoa have travelled a tough road in seeking international achievement, but after years of heartache the South Pacific nation finally made an emphatic breakthrough.

Shocks sprung in 2011

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 04:22:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks at the teams who have caused major surprises this past year, including American Samoa, Uruguay, the Japanese women, Al-Sadd and Basel.

Spain on top and Wales highest climber

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:00:00 GMT

The last edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking for this year brings little change as world champions Spain remain at the top of the table, followed by Netherlands, Germany and Uruguay.

Long-rangers and a league of nations

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:47:00 GMT

An unlikely win for American Samoa, fresh achievements for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Aleksandr Duric, another stunning strike from Inigo Martinez, and a cosmopolitan Arsenal line-up feature in FIFA.com's latest stats review.

Dreams and history made in Oceania

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:01:00 GMT

A tight and gripping opening to Oceania’s Brazil 2014 qualifiers saw Samoa trump three Polynesian neighbours to advance, but the tournament will long be remembered for the breakthrough achievements of American Samoa.

Samoa edge neighbours to secure passage

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 07:04:00 GMT

Samoa have won through to Oceania’s Round Two stage of Brazil 2014 qualifying but it took a last gasp winner to finally subdue a gallant American Samoa.

Samoa draw sets up decisive final contest

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 08:20:00 GMT

The opening stage of Oceania’s Brazil 2014 qualifiers will be decided on the final matchday after Tonga held hosts Samoa, leaving surprise packets American Samoa with a chance of progressing.

American Samoa denied second win

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 03:59:00 GMT

Following a historic first-ever FIFA World Cup™ win, American Samoa have kept alive their Brazil 2014 campaign with a 1-1 draw against Cook Islands.

American Samoa break new ground

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:05:00 GMT

Qualifying for Brazil 2014 has commenced in Oceania with tiny American Samoa achieving a breakthrough moment with victory over Tonga; the first win of their short FIFA World Cup™ history.

Oceania quartet commence long road

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:58:00 GMT

Apia may be far removed from the bright lights of world football’s elite, but this week the Samoan capital will be the venue as Oceania becomes the fifth continent to begin its Brazil 2014 journey

Committed Tonga’s fresh approach

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:51:00 GMT

Tonga will enter next week’s Brazil 2014 qualifiers lacking in international exposure but buoyed by a single-minded desire to succeed, and with one of the youngest ever international coaches at the helm.

FIFA’s Performance Seminar a success

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:06:00 GMT

Oceania Football Confederation’s 11 Member Associations will be the beneficiaries as FIFA’s new development programme, known as PERFORMANCE, is rolled out aiming to help national governing bodies reach their maximum potential.

Rongen to coach American Samoa

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 07:26:00 GMT

American Samoa have secured a coup with the appointment of former USA national youth team coach Thomas Rongen ahead of November’s Brazil 2014 qualifiers.

Tight margins among Pacific elite

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:39:00 GMT

New Caledonia emerged triumphant on home soil at this year’s Pacific Games as a number of teams continued their preparations for Brazil 2014 qualifying.

Pitch perfect in Oceania

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 05:51:00 GMT

OFC’s Member Association’s were the beneficiaries as FIFA conducted its first ever FIFA Playing Surface Seminar last week in Auckland.

Wide open in Oceania's Group A

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:02:00 GMT

New Caledonia, Tahiti and Vanuatu will all have high hopes of progressing to Oceania’s final stage of qualifying after avoiding regional heavyweights New Zealand.

High-flying Kiwis face tough task

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 22:05:00 GMT

The draw provided New Zealand with an intriguing challenge against Fiji, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, while Group A features Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Tahiti and the Round One winner.

Qualifying tales through the ages

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:32:00 GMT

With the draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ set for Saturday, FIFA.com looks back on some of the more weird, wonderful and ground-breaking qualifiers since the first almost 80 years ago.

The preliminaries in numbers

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:30:00 GMT

Ahead of Saturday's Preliminary Draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, FIFA.com looks at some statistics from the qualifying competition's history and some other records on the verge of crashing.

Oceania goalkeeper stocks receive a boost

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 02:42:00 GMT

Auckland was the location this week as Oceania Football Confederation members were the recipients of the new FIFA Goalkeeping Course.

Kiwis rule Oceania, reach Colombia

Mon, 02 May 2011 10:41:00 GMT

New Zealand qualified for just their second FIFA U-20 World Cup in impressive fashion, dominating the Oceania qualifiers with dynamic attacking play and a resolute defence.

Intrigue awaits Oceania’s young elite

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 09:18:00 GMT

Hosts New Zealand will undoubtedly start as favourites to rule the region and qualify for this year's FIFA U-20 World Cup, but Tahiti's surprise triumph three years ago proves nothing can be accepted as a foregone conclusion.

Hard work maintains Kiwi stranglehold

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 09:21:00 GMT

Although New Zealand triumphed for a third successive time at this week’s OFC U-17 showpiece, the closeness of competition indicates a levelling out of the playing field in Oceania.

Samoan Goal project brings hope after tsunami

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 13:17:00 GMT

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter made the trip to Pago Pago in American Samoa to inaugurate a Goal project designed to rebuild the sporting infrastructure that was destroyed in the 2009 tsunami.

Battlelines drawn in Oceania

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 17:50:00 GMT

The quest to be crowned Oceania U-17 champions and secure passage to Mexico 2011 will be played out with a new level of intensity and competition over the coming 11 days.

Vicelich, Riley claim Oceania's top honour

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 07:34:00 GMT

New Zealand’s Ivan Vicelich and Ali Riley were presented with their OFC Player of the year awards prior to the All Whites international against Honduras in Auckland.

Long path to South Africa began in Pacific

Tue, 04 May 2010 04:27:00 GMT

The long road to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa commenced nearly three years ago in the Pacific Island nation of Samoa.

PNG's breakthough success

Mon, 03 May 2010 12:41:00 GMT

Papua New Guinea’s Hekari United can now turn their attention to the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2010 after their history-making Oceania club title.

Women's round-up: April 2010

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 09:05:00 GMT

FIFA.com's latest monthly review details the latest developments in FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying and the start of the second WPS season.

White excels for dominant Kiwis

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:08:00 GMT

Inspired by 16-year-old Rosie White, New Zealand cruised to OFC U-20 Women's Championship gold and will now head to Germany 2010 in high spirits.

New Zealand reach Germany 2010

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:17:00 GMT

An 11-0 win over Tonga concluded a successful OFC U-20 Women’s Championship for the Kiwis, who qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

Oceanian football thinking big

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:59:00 GMT

New Zealand’s success in qualifying for South Africa, their first finals since 1982, has provided a welcome fillip to the whole of Oceanian football.

Oceania FIFA World Cup qualifying review

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:33:00 GMT

Global qualifying for South Africa 2010 commenced in the Oceania zone in mid-2007 and culminated over two years later as New Zealand qualified.

Cahill dedicates goal to tsunami victims

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:35:00 GMT

Everton and Australia midfielder Tim Cahill dedicated his UEFA Europa League match-winning goal to victims of this week's tsunami in the Pacific.

OFC and Australia enter Pacific partnership

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:50:00 GMT

The OFC, FFA and the Australian government have signed a $4 million AUD agreement to deliver football and other sporting programmes across the Pacific.

Smeltz and White claim Oceania honour

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 07:23:00 GMT

New Zealand duo Shane Smeltz and Rosie White have both capped an impressive 2008 by being named the OFC Players of the Year.