FIFA U17 World Cup: Fiji, New Caledonia and NZ opponents confirmed

Oceania football champions New Zealand have been drawn in Group L of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, which will be held in Qatar later this year.

The Kiwis will face Mali, Austria, and Saudi Arabia. New Zealand, coached by Martin Bullock, earned their spot for November's finals after defeating Fiji in the OFC U16 Men’s Championships in Tahiti last year.

Fiji have also qualified for Qatar and face a tough challenge. The Sunil Kumar-coached Fijian team have been placed in Group D, where they will face South American powerhouse Argentina, European giants Belgium, and North African giant-killers Tunisia.

New Caledonia, which secured Oceania's last spot by finishing third in Tahiti, will compete against Asian giants Japan, Morocco, and European starlets Portugal in Group B.

The FIFA U17 World Cup has expanded to include 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group, including the eight best third-placed sides, will move on to the knockout stage starting from the Round of 32. The tournament will be held from 3 to 27 November.

Vanuatu, FIFA seal deal with Christchurch United

Another exciting development for football in the Pacific is that FIFA has partnered with Christchurch United Football Club to support Vanuatu's soccer community.

Lambert Maltock, FIFA Vice President and head of the Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF), signed the partnership agreement during his visit to Christchurch at the weekend. He was impressed by the New Zealand club's facilities and hospitality.

In a statement, Maltock says the partnership brings big opportunities for young Vanuatu footballers, as the country lacks pathways to pursue their aspirations internationally.

“Vanuatu has no pathway beyond its borders to help our young, talented players pursue their dreams and unlock their potential.

Watch highlights of the OFC Under-16 Championship final between New Zealand and Fiji below.

“We think this partnership with Christchurch United can elevate our players’ performances to a higher level of competition and will help tremendously in improving and bridging this existing gap.

“I was also impressed by their professional approach to every aspect of the club, so I think our players can do well here,” Maltock says.

As part of the agreement, Vanuatu stars Jordy Tasip and Walter Leoru will travel to Christchurch to train with the club's top team once their visas are sorted. Tasip spent a season with Auckland City in 2023, while Leoru has established himself as a talented goalscorer in Vanuatu's leagues.

Maltock says the programme is also set to improve the players' training and education in New Zealand.

Photo/Ryan Maternini/FIFA

“It will help our elite players undertake better training with better facilities as well as attend advanced education to help enhance their potential on and off the field,” says Maltock, who visited Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery, where the young footballers will continue their education.

Maltock also inspected the construction of the One New Zealand Stadium and met with officials from the regional federation, Mainland Football and members of the local Vanuatu community, who will support the players coming to New Zealand.

“Seeing the facilities and meeting the club people and Vanuatu community in person gives me a lot of confidence that Christchurch can become a great home and pathway for Vanuatu football players," he says.

New Zealand (black) pressure the New Caledonia goal in their 2024 U16 OFC Championship match in Tahiti. The Kiwis won 5-0 to reach the final against Fiji. Photo/OFC Media