Three nations ready for FIFA U-17 World Cup™ in historic first for OFC | Oceania Football Confederation

Three OFC Nations Set for Historic FIFA U-17 World Cup Debut

For the first time ever, three Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) countries—New Zealand, Fiji, and New Caledonia—will compete in a FIFA event at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025™ in Qatar. The tournament runs until November 27 and marks the first of five consecutive U-17 World Cups hosted by Qatar over the coming five years.

Expanded Tournament and OFC Representation

With the FIFA U-17 World Cup expanding to 48 teams, OFC is represented by three teams, its largest delegation ever at a FIFA competition. Fiji will make its historic debut at this event, drawn into a challenging group with Argentina, Belgium, and Tunisia.

Fiji's Historic Participation and Outlook

“We are very humbled and excited to be part of the FIFA U-17 World Cup™ for the first time, and very thankful for this opportunity,” said Head Coach Sunil Kumar. “We are preparing well and aware of the tough challenges ahead. We are grateful to face top teams, as it will expose our local boys to high-quality games.”

Competition and Future Outlook

The Junior Bula Boys, representing Fiji, will start their campaign against Tunisia. They have also secured a spot at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026™ after finishing third in the 2025 OFC U-16 Men’s Championship held in the Solomon Islands.

Author's summary: Three OFC nations will compete at the expanded FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025™ in Qatar, with Fiji making its debut and gaining valuable exposure against top international teams.

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Oceania Football Confederation Oceania Football Confederation — 2025-11-03

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