The Oceania Football Confederation Home of Football – ‘Te Kahu O’Kiwa’ in Auckland, will host a meeting with New Zealand clubs, interested in joining the new OFC Professional League, tomorrow Wednesday, January 29.
New OFC Professional League Manager Stuart Larman has arrived in New Zealand from the United Kingdom and will brief clubs around the application process and timeline for the league, which is slated to kick off in January 2026.
Australian clubs were briefed late last year and there have been further briefings held with other OFC Member Association clubs.
Expressions of interest open next month with OFC aiming to be in a position by July to recommend teams to the OFC Executive Committee, with the confirmed teams finalised by the end of September.
Background and Context
In 2019, the OFC Executive Committee set out to determine the viability of a professional competition for men’s football in the Oceania region.
This is a key component of the OFC Vision to have two teams from the Oceania region qualify for the FIFA World Cup 26™ and a crucial element of the OFC Strategy 2023-2026.
As part of this, an OFC Professional League Taskforce was formed, comprising of several key figures from the region and beyond, all with expertise in professionalisation of sport and charged with determining the validity and feasibility of this new premier competition.
The OFC Professional League Taskforce has been supplemented with independent advisory members in various disciplines, ensuring all information gathered is variable, helpful and facilitates progress in the formation of the league in 2026.
What is the OFC Professional League?
The OFC Professional League is a forward-thinking initiative designed to propel football in Oceania to new heights, create meaningful opportunities for players and clubs, and establish a professional structure that can compete at a global level.
This league will create essential pathways for talent development, allowing young players to grow within a professional environment and reducing the need to seek opportunities abroad. By fostering professional structures, it enhances player and club development while stimulating economic growth through sponsorships and local business engagement.
Beyond football, the league will strengthen community ties and regional unity, promoting shared growth and collaboration among OFC Member Associations. It also increases the region’s visibility, attracting international recognition and opportunities, aligning with OFC’s strategic goals to professionalise football and create a sustainable, high-quality product that benefits players, clubs and fans alike.
This is a new standalone competition that would run in addition to the current OFC Men’s Champions League as well as the national domestic leagues across OFC’s Member Associations.
How will it work?
The OFC Executive Committee has been presented with a variety of formats that are suitable for a competition that would span several countries across the Pacific.
It is a key outcome of the OFC Professional League that all Member Associations are part of this ongoing professionalisation of the sport, providing opportunities for clubs, coaches, referees, and administrators, promoting good governance off the field, and rewarding exceptional performance on the field.
The eventual formation and format of the league will be established in a way that will enhance the current national domestic league set-up across each Member Association and ensure players can play at the highest possible level for longer.
The OFC Professional League will determine which team qualifies for the FIFA Club World Cup™ 2029 and the annual FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek