New Caledonia coach Johann Sidaner has named an extended 27 player squad which will be reduced to 23 this weekend ahead of the FIFA World Cup 26™ Oceania Qualifiers semi-final against Tahiti in Wellington.
The Fédération Calédonienne de Football (FCF) announced the extended squad on Monday morning.
Sidaner will wait until after this weekend’s league action in France before confirming his final squad on Sunday before the team’s departure to Wellington.
“We have called up an expanded group, which will be reduced to 23 players for this semi-final against Tahiti. Given the current hazards and constraints, we have chosen to anticipate each eventuality, particularly in the event of injury, in order to limit the unknowns. In any case, the staff and players worked hard to be ready on D-Day. For us it’s just a bonus, we’re already very happy to be able to play in these Oceania semi-finals” Sidaner said.
New Caledonia have picked 15 players who ply their trade in the South Pacific country with a further 12 selected who are mainly based in France.
They play Tahiti at Wellington’s Sky Stadium at 3pm NZT on Friday 21 March with the winner to play either New Zealand or Fiji at Eden Park on Monday 24 March in the FIFA World Cup 26™ Oceania Qualifiers final.
The winner of that match will qualify directly for the FIFA World Cup 26™ in Canada, Mexico and the United States, while the runner up will get a second chance to qualify through the FIFA Intercontinental playoffs.
Feature Photo Credit: Trevor Mallen Photography