“This is the first ever professional league specifically for the Oceania region,” league manager Stuart Larman told The Associated Press, stressing that it provides a pathway for players, coaches, referees, and administrators to develop skills in a professional environment.
A key issue has long been the lack of competitive fixtures. “The best players tend to have two or three highly competitive matches in a year,” Larman explained. With the new format, each club will play at least 17 matches per season, offering consistency and raising standards.
The project also has implications beyond the field. According to former FIFA and AFC executive James Kitching, the OFC’s licensing requirements will push clubs to adopt higher governance and infrastructure standards, potentially leading to transfer fees and training compensation payments that were previously rare in the region.
The competition will also serve as Oceania’s pathway to the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, where officials hope regional clubs will perform more competitively after years of lopsided results on the world stage.
How many teams will play in the OFC Professional League?
Eight clubs from Oceania and Australia have been selected for the inaugural 2026 season.
Why is this league important for the region?
It guarantees more competitive matches, improves standards on and off the pitch, and creates a direct pathway to the FIFA Club World Cup.
Could this model be replicated elsewhere?
Experts suggest the cross-border league format could be adopted in other regions as FIFA becomes more flexible with competition structures.
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