Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek
The journey to the FIFA World Cup 26™ begins in Samoa tomorrow, as four OFC nations meet in Apia to determine who will advance to the group stage and be one step closer to the dream of representing Oceania on the world stage.
Hosts Samoa are joined by American Samoa, Cook Islands and Tonga, with only one side able to take their place in Group B when qualifying continues in Fiji and Vanuatu next month.
Opening the action on Friday at the Football Federation Samoa Football Stadium will be Cook Islands and Tonga, with the winner advancing to meet either American Samoa or Samoa on the final match on Monday.
Cook Islands Coach Tuka Tisam is taking charge of the men’s team for the first time and is confident that his side’s preparation will put them in good stead as they look to overcome Tonga and keep their World Cup dream alive.
“The boys are very excited for this upcoming match against Tonga. The excitement is there, they can feel the pressure that’s coming, so they’ll be excited for this first game.
“The boys just have to go out there and play. All the training, all the work has been done by management, so I think they’re ready to go on match day,” Tisam said.
On the opposite bench on Friday morning will be Kilifi Uele. The Tongan Coach has build a squad from talent based around the region but is happy with what he has at his disposal as excitement builds.
“For us, the officials and the team, we’re all very excited for this World Cup campaign.
“I think the key is our planning process that we follow. We’re here now, so we’re looking forward to it and so excited,” he said.
The second match on Friday sees hosts Samoa take on American Samoa. Neither nation participated in Oceania Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2022™, making this year the first time in almost a decade that either side has embarked on a campaign.
Shani Simpson is coaching an American Samoa side that has quite a mix of experience and youth amongst the squad and he feels this could be a benefit to his side as they look to upset the odds in Apia.
“Half of the squad – the veteran players – is slowly realising the magnitude of what we’re doing here.
“The younger players, you know, they’re young, they’re ignorant, they’re enthusiastic, they know the World Cup but the veteran players know the reality of it – they understand the emotions, the pressure, the significance of one mistake or one successful idea and we’re slowly, as a group, getting there,” Simpson said.
Leading the host nation is Jess Ibrom, returning to work for Football Federation Samoa after a stint coaching the Cook Islands. Ibrom is excited to get started on Friday but is aware of the additional pressure for his team that comes with being hosts.
“It’s a defining experience to have this World Cup qualification campaign here in Apia, Samoa. It’s been a long time coming for varying reasons, mostly Covid, so we’re really looking forward to this one.
“We’ve got a number of players who have been through a number of campaign, Pacific Games, OFC Nations Cup etc. You know, we’ve got a good blend of younger players, more experienced players, like Andrew Setefano, who’s been through this a number of times.
“World Cup qualification is the pinnacle event for any country, so we understand what it means to the people of Samoa and we’ll be working really hard to represent the country very well tomorrow,” Ibrom said.
With kick-off now just less than 24 hours away, excitement is reaching fever pitch as qualifying begins. With the FIFA World Cup 26™ being the first time ever that a guaranteed qualification spot is available for an Oceania side, there is more on the line than ever before as these four teams begin their World Cup journey.
FIFA World Cup 26™ Oceania Qualifying
Round One
Match Day 1
Cook Islands v Tonga, 11:00am (local time)
American Samoa v Samoa, 3:00pm (local time)