Photo Credit: Pacific Games News Network

New Caledonia come into Round Two of the FIFA World Cup 26™ Oceania Qualifiers perhaps a little undercooked compared to their group stage opponents.

Due to civil unrest in the country, the team were unable to participate in the OFC Men’s Nations Cup earlier this year in Fiji, meaning their last competitive action was back at the Pacific Games in Honiara in November 2023.

That did however prove to be a positive campaign, with New Caledonia beating hosts Solomon Islands in the final on penalties to secure the gold medal – giving Coach Johann Sidaner some positivity to build upon as his side look to hit the ground running on match day three.

Two of their three Group A opponents were sides New Caledonia also faced in qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 202™ and they’ll be looking for a better outcome than two years ago, when they lost all three matches, finishing bottom of their section in Qatar.

It’s been a positive tenure thus far for Johann Sidaner since the Frenchman took charge in August 2022, with seven victories in eleven matches despite the numerous challenge they have faced.

A lack of time together for his squad, however, has proven to be a frustration for the coach.

“We had a hard time getting everyone together. But roughly speaking, we have up to about 90% of the squad that we could have asked for who are present and who will be able to show up for the qualifiers,” Sidaner said.

First up for New Caledonia is Papua New Guinea, with both sides desperate to make a positive start with the margins for error so small.

“First, we will take the matches one by one, as we usually do to gauge ourselves. First, it is Papua New Guinea that is offered to us. It is already be a match with stakes, since over three matches, we know that we do not have much room for error.

“This first match is important. Getting into the competition is really important and starting it well. We will also closely watch the match between Solomon Islands and Fiji after our fixture,” he continued.

New Caledonia fixtures
FIFA World Cup 26™ Oceania Qualifiers

(kick-off times local)

Thursday, October 10
v Papua New Guinea, 4:00pm, HFC Bank Stadium, Suva

Thursday, November 14
v Solomon Islands, 1:00pm, PNG Football Stadium, Port Moresby

Sunday, November 17
v New Caledonia, 1:00pm, PNG Football Stadium, Port Moresby