The stage is set for Round 3 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ Oceania Qualifiers, with a prized place at the global finals in Brazil next year on the line.
FMG Stadium in Hamilton will welcome Papua New Guinea, American Samoa, New Zealand, and Fiji, for the semi-finals tommorow afternoon.
With the matches moved forward a day due to extreme weather in the country, the teams joined media the day before the big dance to give their thoughts ahead of the matches.
American Samoa
Following their meteoric rise during Round One and Round Two of the qualifiers, American Samoa enter the semi-final stage as the ultimate underdogs.
Under the tutelage of Head Coach Amanda Cromwell who assumed the role in 2025, the team went unbeaten in Round 1 in the Cook Islands, and handed shock defeats to Oceania champions Solomon Islands, and Samoa, before going down to New Zealand in their final fixture of Round 2.
American Samoa face another Oceania powerhouse, Papua New Guinea, in tomorrow’s first semi-final. Cromwell said it’s been a special journey for the team.
“I don’t think I could measure the amount of pride I have for this team, it’s been amazing,” says Cromwell. Coming in to Round 1 we were the underdogs, but we’ve come a long way.”
“I feel we’ve gotten better we we put a better product on the field each round, we know PNG is a very good team and we have our work cut out for us.”
Capain Anaiyah Tu’ua said the feeling in the group has helped reflect their success on the pitch.
“It’s been such a blessing to be with this group, to be able to guide this group, and the effort each and every person on this team, our staff, and our federation has poured into us, has been like the biggest blessing in itself.”
Papua New Guinea
Oceania powerhouses Papua New Guinea will look to continue their momentum from Round 2, going unbeaten in Fiji without conceding a goal.
Aside from New Zealand, Papua New Guinea have been the closest Oceania team to capture a qualification spot for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, going down in 2023’s FIFA Intercontinental Play-off against Panama 2-0.
The Bilums will look to continue their momentum into their semi-final against American Samoa, as they eye another chance at qualification.
“I think the best part of the preparation has been the experience I have within the team, they’ve been there they’ve done it before, says head coach Eric Komeng. “We didn’t get the result last time, but I think our girls have prepared well and I think if we keep working hard I’m sure we can achieve our goals.”
Alongside New Zealand, Papua New Guinea have not conceded a goal through the campaign so far – which Komeng said has come down to their hard work defensively.
“We’ve been working very hard with our defence and our attack, and I think the girls put hard work into every session. Hopefully we can have a good semi-final here too.”
New Zealand
New Zealand enter the semi-finals as Oceania’s most successful women’s national team, qualifying for six previous FIFA Women’s World Cup’s.
The Football Ferns went unbeaten during Round 2 of the qualifiers, toppling Samoa and Solomon Islands 8-0 , before handing American Samoa their first defeat of the qualification rounds 3-0.
They meet Fiji in their semi-final, whom they beat 7-1 during their last meeting at the Olympic Qualifiers in 2024.
“There’s a lot of respect from our team for all of these teams that are here, this game’s important but there’s a lot of respect for Fiji as our first hurdle,” says head coach Michael Mayne. “We focus on what we’re doing, we’ve got a plan, and a few scenarios that we’ve spoken to the players about.”
“”We know what’s at stake. There’s a lot of positive stuff about we want to get out of this window.”
“Everybody in the team wants to put on a good show in front of our home supporters and whanau in Hamilton and across New Zealand.”
Fiji
The Fiji Kula’s enter the semi-finals after a strong performance in Round 2 of the qualifiers, winning both their matches against New Caledonia and Vanuatu, before going down to Papua New Guinea in the final fixture of the group.
The Kulas have come close to FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification before, finishing runners-up during OFC qualifying for both the 2019 and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup™.
Head Coach Nicola Demaine said the side acknowledge the tall task ahead but believe their team have the tools to get the job done.
“We’re really excited to be here and to still have a chance to qualify for the World Cup,” says Demaine. “We knew early that we would be playing New Zealand, so we’ve been able to prepare for that over the last few weeks. We’re as ready as it can be with the time that we’ve had.”
Captain Sofi Diyalowai said Fiji are looking forward to the challenge ahead against the New Zealanders.
“I know it’s a big challenge for us to come this far and to play the semi-final against New Zealand,” says Diyalowai. For the past few years we’ve been working so hard to get here and we’re happy to have our experienced and young players here too.”
Tickets & How to Watch
Entry for the semi-finals at at FMG Stadium is free and you can watch the action LIVE on FIFA+ HERE