The first-ever expanded September-October international window proved a busy one, with eight of OFC’s 11 member associations involved on the international stage.
The men’s and women’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup’s in Fiji were the highlight, but elsewhere New Zealand produced some encouraging performances in Asia, and the Cook Islands defeated Tahiti for the first time in their history.
As the dust settles, we’ve taken a look back at all the international action over the past few weeks.
Fiji return to Melanesian summit on home soil
26 years after their previous Melanesian crown, Fiji lifted the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup on home soil in Suva with a 1-0 victory over Vanuatu in the final. Thomas Dunn scored the sole goal of the match in the 10th minute, as the Bula Boys won a record-extending sixth Melanesian Cup title, and their first international trophy since 2003.
Having won just one of his first seven matches in charge, Stephane Auvray turned Fiji’s fortunes around in the latter half of the tournament, winning all three of their final matches to finish inside the top two and lift the trophy.
Defending champions Vanuatu were again impressive, particularly after a late coaching change saw the nation’s all-time top goalscorer Richard Iwai step up to replace Lars Hopp. They finished atop the standings with seven points from four matches but couldn’t add back-to-back titles after reaching the final for the second year running.
Elsewhere, the Solomon Islands were the most impressive of the three other competing Melanesian nations and ended an almost two-year winless run with a 2-0 victory over New Caledonia in their second match of the tournament. It marked Ben Cahn’s first win in charge, but they finished one point shy of the final.
Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia both only managed one win from their four round-robin fixtures, the latter finishing bottom of the table after fielding a domestic-based squad in Felix Tagawa’s first window in charge.
Rafa Lea’i and Javin Wae from the Solomon Islands, whilst Tony Kaltack from Vanuatu, all scored three goals and finished tied for the Golden Boot. Meanwhile Fiji’s Thomas Dunn won the Golden Ball, and Isikeli Sevanaia Junior won the Golden Glove.
Vanuatu complete fairytale run to win women’s Melanesian crown
Meanwhile, Vanuatu sprung a major upset to lift the women’s edition of the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup, defeating Papua New Guinea 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the final.
Nenny Elipas put the Bilums ahead after 16 minutes, but Leimata Simon equalised just before half-time, and Vanuatu held on for the remainder, including the ensuing 30 minutes of extra-time, to prevail on spot kicks at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Vanuatu dedicated the win to the lives lost during the MV Matui ferry disaster on September 11th.
Papua New Guinea had won all their seven previous matches at the tournament dating back to the inaugural edition of the women’s event last year but couldn’t defend their Melanesian crown. They now turn their attention towards the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ Inter-confederation play-offs in November and December.
Behind the top two, the Solomon Islands were unlucky to miss out on the final on goal difference after collecting seven points from their four matches, bouncing back after a disappointing FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
Fiji were disappointing on home soil and collected just three points in a fourth-place finish, whilst New Caledonia finished bottom of the standings with nothing to show for from their four matches in Suva.
Both the men’s and women’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup are set to be held in Vanuatu in 2027.
New Zealand reach Kirin Cup final on encouraging tour of Asia
The post FIFA World Cup 2026™ era started on a positive note for New Zealand, who played four matches on their tour of East Asia.
The All Whites began with two matches in China, drawing 2-2 with Palestine, before producing a scintillating 3-0 victory over the host nation. It was the first time New Zealand had beaten China in China, in eight attempts.
Darren Bazeley’s side then travelled to Japan to partake in the prestigious Kirin Cup, an invitational tournament that has been held since 1978, reaching the final by defeating Panama 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Played in front of over 60,000 fans at the National Stadium in Tokyo, New Zealand took on hosts Japan for the title, and put up a spirited fight, scoring through Ben Old, but falling to a creditable 1-2 defeat against a nation ranked 70 places above them.
Cook Islands return home with famous triumph
The Cook Islands produced arguably their greatest international win at senior men’s level ever, defeating Tahiti 3-2 in the second match of their two-game series, as part of their return home to Rarotonga for the first time in 28 years.
Ben Mata scored twice in the memorable victory, in what also marked new head coach Rhys Ruka’s first international window in charge. Ruka is set to lead the Cook Islands through OFC Men’s Nations Cup 2027 – Qualifying at home next year, and the first round of FIFA World Cup 2030™ qualifying in 2028.
Four days earlier, Tahiti had won the first match 3-1, also marking their return to international football for the first time in over two years.
The two nations are set to meet again in another two-match series in Tahiti in November.
What’s Next
A huge end to 2026 looms for OFC’s national teams, headlined by Papua New Guinea’s involvement in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Inter-confederation play-offs in November and December. The Bilums will play Uzbekistan, Ghana, and Chinese Taipei, with the top two in the six-team standings qualifying for the second phase of the inter-confederation play-offs next year.
New Zealand’s Football Ferns are also in action in two matches against Panama in October, before the All Whites welcome India to New Zealand for a two-match series in November.
Tahiti and the Cook Islands will lock horns again on Tahitian soil in another two-match series in November too, whilst Tonga are scheduled to end their absence from the international stage with a tour to New Zealand.