Today in New Zealand, the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup qualification for the Oceania region took place, and the two teams vying for a spot in the tournament have now been decided.
In the first match, New Caledonia dominated Tahiti with a 3-0 victory.
The second match was a one-sided affair, with New Zealand crushing Fiji 7-0, scoring 4 goals before halftime.
The final showdown between New Zealand and New Caledonia will take place on March 24 in Auckland, where the winner will secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
For the first time ever, Oceania has earned a direct World Cup spot due to the tournament’s expansion. The loser of the final will enter a playoff against the team finishing seventh in the CONMEBOL zone for another chance at qualification.
New Zealand has qualified for the World Cup twice before, while New Caledonia will be aiming for their first-ever appearance at the prestigious event.
Reminder: For all the latest results from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the CAF zone, head over to Sportsmacro.
