Round Two of the FIFA™ Women’s World Cup 2027 Oceania Qualifiers continues this week, with Group A kicking off in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Four ambitious nations are chasing progression and a place in the final stage, to be held in New Zealand in April and the possibility of World Cup glory.
American Samoa
American Samoa arrive as one of the tournament’s emerging stories, having progressed from Round One despite being ranked fourth in their group.
Head coach Amanda Cromwell praised both her squad’s diversity and the federation’s commitment to long-term development.
“And the first couple of days have been really good. The facilities and everything here are looking great for the way we want to play,” said Cromwell. “I’m really lucky to have a squad that’s based all around the world in different clubs, different environments, playing different levels.”
With players arriving from across the globe, preparation has required flexibility.
“I was having a bit of a laugh yesterday at lunch that it was matchday minus two and I had no players in the hotel yet,” she said. “It’s going to be a quick turnaround. But we’ve got players in a lot of good leagues and good clubs around the world wanting to come here and do a good job.”
Cromwell acknowledged their underdog status but believes progression to Round Two represents something greater for football back home.
“We are the underdog… not necessarily supposed to be here,” she said. “But winning that stage and moving to Round Two is such an important part of the development for the on-island players. They have something to aspire to. They see what this team can be.”
With eight new additions since Round One in the Cook Islands, cohesion has been a key focus for the youthful squad.
“We are a very young team, so hopefully youth coming into a high-pressure situation can be oblivious to it sometimes. That’s a good thing. Just go and have fun. Play with joy, play with freedom.”
Solomon Islands
Hosts Solomon Islands enter the tournament settled and well prepared, according to head coach Daniel Barrett.
“We’re going to put our best foot forward here. We’re just excited and honoured to be here,” he said. “We’ve had the team full-time, so they’re very familiar with how I want the team to operate.”
A focus on succession planning and youth development has underpinned their build-up, including a preparatory tournament in Papua New Guinea last October.
“Everything was around building for this tournament right now,” he explained. “As a nation and as a female football department, we’re very settled and very comfortable. The plan is always to keep moving forward.”
Training daily within one of the Pacific’s strongest football infrastructures has been a significant advantage.
“We’ve been very lucky,” Barrett added. “Now we’ve just told the girls, just enjoy it. The hard work’s done.”
Barrett also confirmed the absence of key creative player, Madeline Arukau through injury but remains confident in the squad’s depth.
“She’s a big loss…a dead ball specialist. But we’ve had time to make sure we can fill that gap. As soon as she’s over her injury, we’ll absolutely welcome her back.”
Samoa
Samoa head coach Paul Ifill returns to familiar surroundings, having previously coached in the region during the Pacific Games.
“Firstly, thank you for having me. It’s great to be back,” said Ifill. “It’s a bit fresh for us. A lot of the squad has changed.”
Like American Samoa, Samoa have looked globally to strengthen their squad.
“We’ve scoured the world for new players. Logistically, that’s been pretty difficult as well. Our squad is not actually all here yet.”
Despite those challenges, Ifill has been encouraged by the spirit within the group following preparations in Auckland.
“There seems to be really good camaraderie with the group. Firstly, making sure they want to be here to represent their country and have fun whilst doing it.”
Drawn in a challenging group that includes hosts New Zealand and an improving American Samoa, Ifill expects his side to compete.
“I don’t think we’re just here to make up the numbers. I think we’re going to be pretty competitive. I expect us to cause a few surprises.”
He also pointed to the influence of youth development pathways, crediting the work done in recent years to inspire the next generation.
“In four years’ time when those girls are 16 to 20, I think that’s going to make a massive difference. But certainly in this tournament, we can cause a few surprises.”
New Zealand
Tournament heavyweights New Zealand approach the qualifiers aware of both expectation and increasing competition across the region and head coach Michael Mayne welcomes the pressure.
“We know what’s at the end of this series. It’s good that we still feel pressure coming into these games. That’s the way it should be,” he said.
“I know these other three coaches and teams are all chasing the same dream. I can see the gap closing.”
Mayne highlighted the growing tactical sophistication across Pacific teams.
“I know every single one of these teams that we play over the next 10 days will be well set up, well organised. There’s some good football brains on this table.”
With a long-term objective in sight, his focus remains firmly on the immediate task.
“There’s no point worrying about the final or anything. We’ve got to get through the next week first. That’s a good place to be mentally for the group.”
As Round Two unfolds, ambition, preparation and pride unite these four nations. For some, it is about building toward the future; for others, about seizing the moment now. For all however, the dream of progressing further in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ Oceania Qualifiers burns brightly.
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek