For the first time, the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has a direct slot for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with an additional berth available via the FIFA Intercontinental Play-off Tournament. 

This is a boost for the Fiji football team who has moved up 13 spots on the FIFA rankings to be 153. Also moving up is New Zealand who is now ranked 94, Tahiti at 158 and Vanuatu at 162. Solomon Islands have moved down by eight spots to be at 141, New Caledonia at 160 and Papua New Guinea at 168.
The Solomon Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea are drawn into Group A.  

Group B comprises of New Zealand, Tahiti, Vanuatu and the round one winner matches commence in September. 

The path to the FIFA World Cup 26 for Oceania’s 11 member associations has been laid out following the preliminary qualification draw, at the home of FIFA in Zurich. 

The second round features two groups of four nations, with each nation facing each other once in matches played in October and November.
The top two in each group then progress to the decisive third round, set to be played in March, 2025. 

The third round winner progresses directly to the World Cup 26, while the runners-up secure an Intercontinental Play-off Tournament berth. 

Of the region’s current members, only New Zealand has previously appeared at a World Cup, in 1982 and 2010.
The All Whites were slotted into Group B, alongside Tahiti, Vanuatu and the winner of the first round. 

The Solomon Islands were the other top seed for the draw and they top Group A, which also features Fiji, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea. 

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