Resetting, rebuilding, and preparing for the future, is the general overarching theme for the five competing nations at this year’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup.  

The same goes for tournament hosts Fiji and their head coach Stephane Auvray, who’s full focus is on identifying players who will represent the Bula Boys for the FIFA World Cup 2030™ Oceania Qualifiers, rather than results in the present.  

“Success will be measured when it matters most in 2029 (when the Oceania qualifiers are set to reach their most critical juncture)”, says Auvray.  

“Until then, we want “small victories” such as identifying the most suited players, creating a strong national team culture, practicing an attractive style of football, and exposing our young talents to the world.”  

Auvray has been dual coach of the Fijian national team and Bula FC since October last year. Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek.

Auvray is in his third international window as head coach of the Fiji men’s national team, having taken charge in October last year for the previous edition of the Prime Minister’s Cup (formerly the Melanesian Cup). Balancing his national team duties with Bula FC in the OFC Pro League, he has only won one of his six international matches though.  

That was against a Papua New Guinea selection in the group stage of last year’s tournament, before they lost to the senior team in the semi-finals. Auvray’s Fiji also travelled to Vanuatu in June, drawing one and losing one of their two matches.  

The former New York Red Bulls midfielder and Guadeloupe international isn’t fazed however, and insists the identity and playing style of Fiji is still in development.

“At this time, I am meticulously observing and evaluating the players’ behavior on and off the field,” Auvray says.

“My only objective is to pick the right ones. Once we start our next cycle in 2027, I will start to have a more collective and competitive approach.” 

Auvray’s identification process has involved keeping a close eye on the U-19 national team. Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek.

Auvray has implemented a concentrated identification process over the last three months, attending various club games and tournaments throughout the country, as well as national training camps for the U-16 and U-19 national teams.  

Notably he was a keen observer of the Junior Bula Boys side who recently travelled to Samoa for OFC U-19 Men’s Championship 2026 and was on the sidelines to watch them play New Caledonian club AS Tiga Sport in Ba last month.  

“The group we have for the Prime Minister’s Cup this month is different to the one I took to Vanuatu. I have attended lots of games, tournaments, and the training camps of our national youth teams to make sure I haven’t missed anyone.”  

Fijian fans will get the chance to see their team compete on home soil for the first time in two years. Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek.

The competition will also serve as Auvray’s first chance to lead the Fijian national team on home soil, with all matches scheduled to be played at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. It will be the first time that Fiji have played at home in two years.  

As well as the chance to reunite with their fans, it also comes at an ideal time for the players too though, many of whom have recently competed at the Fiji Battle of the Giants (BOG) competition for their respective club sides.  

“Playing at home facilitates us in terms of logistics considering that the BOG tournament was played at the same time as the camp. Having to manage the fatigue of the players following their games with their district, plus traveling abroad would have made the task even more complicated.” 

Players from the 1988 Fijian team that won the inaugural Melanesian Cup are honoured. Photo credit: Fiji FA Media.

Fiji are the most successful nation in MSG Prime Minister’s Cup history, having won it five times between 1988-2000 when it was known as the Melanesian Cup. Since the competition was re-established in 2022, they haven’t been able to reclaim the title though, losing to Papua New Guinea in the final of the 2024 edition  

Hosting for the tournament for the first time since last winning it, presents a great opportunity to end their 26-year wait, but Auvray maintains a poker face. For Fiji, it isn’t about success now, it’s about success in the future.  

“Since we are in a phase of rebuilding a team for the next World Cup cycle, our main concern is to use the competition to complete our identification process,” he says.  

“Our plan has always been to dedicate 2026 to identify the players who will represent Fiji during the FIFA World Cup 2030 qualifiers, and we will stick to it.”