FIFA.com - News

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.

Redemption time for Solomon Islands

Thu, 10 May 2012 11:39:00 GMT

After treading new ground in their 2006 FIFA World Cup™ campaign, Solomon Islands are aiming to put recent disappointment aside when the football-obsessed Oceania nation hosts the continent’s Brazil 2014 qualifiers next month.

Solomons icon Suri treading a new path

Wed, 09 May 2012 01:48:00 GMT

After a ground-breaking career spanning two decades, Solomon Islands legend Batram Suri is now seeking to turn the next generation of talent in the Melanesian nation into stars of tomorrow.

Makau, the Solomons' Jack of all trades

Thu, 03 May 2012 08:20:00 GMT

FIFA.com hears from 19-year-old Coleman Kabini Makau of the Solomon Islands, who is determined to make a splash at the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012.

Futsal World Cup schedule confirmed

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:23:00 GMT

The FIFA Executive Committee has approved the match schedule for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012, which will begin with four matches on Thursday 1 November 2012.

Newcomers and veterans eye futsal showpiece

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:23:00 GMT

A record number of teams sought a place at this year's FIFA Futsal World Cup. FIFA.com reviews the facts and stats from qualifying for the tournament in Thailand.

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.

Solomon Islands embraces FIFA's '11 for Health'

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:51:00 GMT

The Solomon Islands is the latest nation set to benefit from FIFA’s '11 for Health' programme following the recent visit by FIFA’s Chief Medical Officer and Chairman of the FIFA Medical and Research Centre, Professor Jiri Dvorak.

Kurukurus enjoying Spanish lessons

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:06:00 GMT

After a baptism of fire at Brazil 2008, the Soloman Islands have called on the services of Spain coach Venancio Lopez, who spoke with FIFA.com, to give them some pointers ahead of Thailand 2012.

Futsal World Cup to kick off on 1 November

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:49:00 GMT

The FIFA Futsal Committee has approved an amendment to the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012 match schedule, which will now see the 24-team competition kicking off on Thursday 1 November 2012.

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.

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.

Goals galore as frontrunners endure

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:47:00 GMT

FIFA.com visits Australia, India, Uzbekistan, New Zealand and elsewhere on a goal-laden weekend of club football across Asia and Oceania.

Ambitious Oceania elite eye glory

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:40:00 GMT

The road to continental glory in Oceania will commence this weekend as eight clubs take to the field for the newest edition of the OFC O-League. FIFA.com previews the forthcoming campaign in the Pacific.

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.

Fabregas stars as Brazil, Argentina rise

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:42:00 GMT

FIFA.com examines all the action from the latest batch of international friendlies, which saw Brazil and Argentina prosper while Poland, Ukraine and USA fell flat.

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.

Kiwis head tight section

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 08:47:00 GMT

New Zealand may be warm favourites in Oceania Group B, however, the presence of Fiji, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea will make for a fascinating four-way competition.

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.

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.

Futsal review: April/May

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 07:39:00 GMT

We round up a busy couple of months in the world of Futsal, which featured cup finals, training events and the latest team to book their place at FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012.

Solomon Islands secure World Cup ticket

Fri, 20 May 2011 10:22:00 GMT

The Solomon Islands have reached the FIFA Futsal World Cup for the second consecutive time after triumphing in Oceania Zone qualifying.

Oceania aspirants seek world stage

Mon, 16 May 2011 01:00:00 GMT

The Oceania qualifiers for the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup will take place in Fiji this week with the victor to become the first nation to secure passage to Thailand.

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.

New Zealand take Oceania's place

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 06:52:00 GMT

New Zealand booked their place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011 with a comprehensive 3-1 OFC U-20 Championship victory over Solomon Islands.

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.

Amicale hoping history repeats

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 09:19:00 GMT

Though making their bow at continental level, Vanuatu’s Amicale have booked their place at next month’s OFC O-League final against regional giants Auckland City, with a ticket to the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup awaiting the winners.

Tahiti unseat Pacific kings, reach Ravenna

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 12:51:00 GMT

The long reign of Solomon Islands as kings of the sand in Oceania came to an end, with Tahiti, who will host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2013, edging the Bilikiki 4-3 to qualify for Ravenna 2011.

Tahiti stuns Solomons to reach world stage

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 04:15:00 GMT

Tahiti will feature in just their second FIFA tournament after overturning the form book by defeating the Solomon Islands and qualifying for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, ending the Bilikiki’s long-held regional dominance on sand.

Champs Hekari ousted as Auckland reach final

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 02:00:00 GMT

Auckland City are the first team into the OFC O-League final where they almost certainly will face Amicale in what would be new ground for a Vanuatu club, while holders Hekari United have been eliminated.

Solomons lead Pacific charge for Italy

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 11:14:00 GMT

The Solomon Islands will start as firm favourites in this week’s Oceanian qualifying tournament, a competition which offers a place at September’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Italy.

Asia/Oceania leagues review

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 09:00:00 GMT

FIFA.com’s regular review of club action across Asia and Oceania this week takes in the latest from Australia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran and New Zealand, plus the opening round of the Solomon Islands' new national league.

Shocks abound in O-League

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 03:40:00 GMT

Three remarkable scorelines marked Matchday 4 in the OFC O-League with 17 goals scored and both group leaders, Lautoka and Waitakere United, suffering defeat, while the hopes of champions Hekari United hang by a thread.

Island nations again proving their worth

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 09:00:00 GMT

One of the tightest competitions in the brief history of the OFC O-League has left the door ajar for a Pacific Island nation to again claim glory following last season’s breakthrough triumph by Papua New Guinea’s Hekari United.

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.

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.

Islanders incredulous at Hekari fairy tale

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 03:04:00 GMT

Hekari United's Kema Jack tells FIFA.com that the Oceanian champions' success in reaching the FIFA Club World Cup is so unlikely that many in their native Papua New Guinea don't even believe it happened.

Hopes high for ambitious Solomons

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 10:24:00 GMT

The Solomon Islands is rich in natural football talent and, having achieved much in a relatively short space of time across all forms of the game, the Pacific archipelago is aiming its sights even higher.

Hekari back in form, Kiwis share spoils

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 05:01:00 GMT

Reigning OFC O-League scored a much-needed boost ahead of their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with an impressive victory, while in Group B New Zealand heavyweight duo Waitakere United and Auckland shared the spoils.

Champs stumble in O-League opener

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 07:16:00 GMT

New Zealand giants Waitakere United and Auckland City kicked-off their OFC O-League campaign with wins, but there was a shock for champions Hekari United who crashed against Vanuatuan newcomers Amicale FC.

Recruitment push boosts Oceania's elite

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 08:55:00 GMT

The OFC O-League commences this weekend with most clubs in the field strengthening as they look to claim the crown won in stunning fashion last year by Papua New Guinea’s Hekari United.

Oceania queens aim high

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 11:00:00 GMT

New Zealand stormed into the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ displaying an unprecedented level of regional dominance leaving the Oceania representatives optimistic of making their mark at Germany 2011.

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.

Dominant Kiwis take their place

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 09:22:00 GMT

Rosie White scored four times as New Zealand completed a hugely successful qualifying campaign by beating Papua New Guinea 11-0 in the grand final of the OFC Women's Nations Cup.

Oceanians eye ticket to Germany

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 16:19:00 GMT

New Zealand enter this week’s qualifiers for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany as favourites to progress on home soil, although their Oceania rivals are set on causing an upset.

Kurukuru secure Futsal hat-trick

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:13:00 GMT

Solomon Islands have continued their reign as Oceania Futsal champions with a dominant display in Fiji ahead of next year’s FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifiers.

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.

Waitakere's familiar success story

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:51:00 GMT

The domestic season in New Zealand ended with familiar clubs claiming silverware but a number of new faces pressing their South Africa 2010 claims.