Sāmoa have reached the Oceania Football Confederation Under-16 Women’s Championship final for the second year in a row, securing a spot in next year's FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

In the semi-final match held in Apia on Monday, Sāmoa dominated the game and defeated the Solomon Islands with a convincing 5-0 victory, much to the excitement of the home crowd.

Sāmoa will face defending champions New Zealand in the final on Thursday. The Kiwis defeated New Caledonia 4-2 in their semi-final, also played on Monday.

Sāmoa's goals came from Teisika Rotoava (own goal), captain Breanna Kitiona, Aaliyah Johnson, Taimane Devoux, and Tova Auvaa. Kitiona and her midfielders, Devoux and Tuiolosega, were pivotal in creating chances for the strikers Cali Willis, Johnson, and Sagapolutele.

Sāmoa took the lead early in the match, showcasing their skills. In the ninth minute, they were fortunate when a cross from Tuiolosega deflected off the Solomon Islands captain, Teisika Rotoava, and into the goal.

While Johnson had a goal disallowed for offside later in the half, Kitiona extended Sāmoa’s lead with a firm header from a corner kick in the 30th minute. Despite hitting the woodwork with another attempt, Sāmoa went into halftime with a 2-0 lead.

Sāmoa have booked their spot in the OFC U16 Women’s Championship final for the second consecutive year, and with it, a place at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco next year. Photo/OFC

The second half mirrored the first, with the hosts continuing to outplay their opponents. Johnson scored in the 59th minute, followed by Devoux in the 69th. To cap off the scoring, substitute Tova Auvaa delivered a fantastic shot from outside the box in the 83rd minute, solidifying the win.

The Solomon Islands will now compete for third place against New Caledonia, which lost to New Zealand in their semi-final.

NZ defeat New Caledonia

For New Zealand, Isla Robson scored first for the defending champions, followed by a stunning equaliser from New Caledonia's Kinë Hmaen.

After half-time, New Zealand rallied and took control of the game with two quick goals from Amelia Hitchcock and Mia Humphrey, which sealed the win for the Kiwis despite New Caledonia's valiant efforts.

The Oceania Football Confederation says the tournament has showcased the growing talent in women's football in the region.

Defending champions New Zealand (in black) will meet Sāmoa in the final of the OFC U16 Women's final in Apia. Photo/

The OFC also announced the match schedule for Round One of the Road to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ in Brazil.

Round One will be held in Avarua, Rarotonga, on 28 November and 1 December 2025, involving the four lowest-ranked Oceania teams: Tonga, Tahiti, the Cook Islands, and American Sāmoa.

Tonga will face American Sāmoa, while Tahiti play the Cook Islands. The winners will advance to a final qualifying match to enter Round Two, which features teams drawn into two groups: New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Sāmoa, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and the Round One winner.

Round Two matches will take place during the FIFA international window from 24 February to 7 March 2026, and the semi-finals and final will be held in New Zealand from 7 to 18 April 2026.

The top two teams from Round Two will advance to the semi-finals, with the final offering a direct place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™, while the runner-up will have a chance through the FIFA Intercontinental Playoff Tournament.