Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek
Fresh from leading Samoa through the first stage of FIFA World Cup 26™ Oceania Qualifying, Coach Jess Ibrom is optimistic his side can cause a surprise during the group stage in October and November.
Samoa play Vanuatu in Port Vila (October 12), Tahiti in Hamilton (November 15), and New Zealand in Auckland (November 18), with the top two teams from Group B advancing to the semi-finals which will be hosted in New Zealand in March next year.
Ibrom says September’s qualifiers against American Samoa and Tonga in Apia was all about the result.
“There are no easy games in World Cup qualifying, in international football anymore. You see that throughout the world.
“There’s been upsets in the last month or so. We knew it was going to be tough and certainly we had the added pressure of playing on home soil. But yeah, we got over the line and we are very excited for the next phase,” Ibrom said.
Samoa’s upcoming match against Vanuatu poses a unique challenge, especially considering the vibrant and passionate football culture in Port Vila. The atmosphere is expected to be electric, with a crowd that will feel much bigger than the 5000 expected to pack VFF Freshwater Stadium.
“The pressure is on Vanuatu,” Ibrom said. “For us, it’s about enjoying the experience and competing with everything we’ve got. I was there with the Cook Islands U-19s. I know what an environment is like. I know it can be hostile towards the away team.”
“It’s a different level of competition. But a lot of the players that are involved played at the Pacific Games (in Honiara) and played Solomon Islands in the opening game, only lost 1-0. So, they’ve had several games this year, against Fiji, Tahiti, PNG.
“We’ll be match ready. But, like I say, the pressure’s not on us. The pressure’s on Vanuatu. They’re the home team.”
While Vanuatu poses the immediate challenge, Ibrom and his team have also started preparations for the November matches against Tahiti and New Zealand.
“Vanuatu is going to be an incredible experience, Tahiti in Hamilton and we want to tap into that Samoan community, in Auckland. It culminates with the All Whites. So, there’s no bigger fixture in this region, you’re playing against professional players.
“These guys play top-level elite football. Chris Wood, I mean, the list goes on and on, but what an experience for our players to showcase themselves against that level of elite talent. We’re under no illusions. There’s a massive gulf between New Zealand and the rest of the countries in this region, and there has been for several years,” Ibrom remarked.
For the first time Oceania has direct entry to the FIFA World Cup™ with the addition of a place in the FIFA Intercontinental Playoff for the team finishing as runners-up.
Ibrom believes it’s not unrealistic for his side to strive for that spot.
“We’re going to be doing everything we can to be as best prepared as we can be, compete in the games if we can get, you know, hopefully some favourable results that puts us close to that spot.
“We know, again, it’s going to be a massive challenge, but if anything, football has proven in the last month with, the games that have taken place throughout the globe. I’ve seen the Socceroos lose at home, San Marino won their first game.”
Ibrom will have a young squad in Vanuatu, and he sees his project very much as a four-year campaign where his players will be at their peak for the FIFA World Cup 2030™ Oceania Qualifiers.
“We are in that phase now. You must work cycle to cycle, World Cup to World Cup. So, you know, directly after this phase, then we’ll already start the preparation towards the next World Cup qualifying campaign.”
The Samoan players will take inspiration from the U-16 Women’s side, who became the first Samoan side to ever qualify for a FIFA World Cup, reaching the final of the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Fiji earlier last month.
“I’ve just got back to Apia at the weekend and it’s the talk of Apia, you know, from everybody internally in the Federation, outside the Federation, it’s been across the media everywhere. I have to say congratulations to Juan, the staff and the players who were just outstanding.
“I said in a recent interview in terms of, rugby here at the national elite level has been quite a dominant sport. And the only way you shift that is by going deep in tournaments and qualifying for the World Cups.
“And the girls have done it. So, it’s history. And I honestly believe that providing this, the continued commitment by everybody, then, we can look at other youth section teams to go towards that goal as well,” Ibrom added.
Samoa fixtures
FIFA World Cup 26™ Oceania Qualifiers
(kick-off times local)
Saturday, October 12
v Vanuatu, 2:00pm, VFF Freshwater Stadium, Port Vila
Friday, November 15
v Tahiti, 4:00pm, FMG Stadium, Waikato
Monday, November 18
v New Zealand, 7:30pm, Go Media Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland