The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and Football Australia have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will drive the growth of football across the Pacific and deepen cooperation between the two organisations through to 2029.
The agreement has been signed today at the 2025 Australian Football Leadership Summit in Sydney by OFC President Lambert Maltock and Football Australia Chairman Anter Isaac. It cements decades of collaboration and establishes a clear framework for future development.
OFC President Lambert Maltock says the MoU is an important step for the region. “Australia has deep roots in Oceania football, and this MoU marks an important step in strengthening our partnership. Working with Football Australia will bring new opportunities, resources, and expertise that will benefit players, coaches, referees and communities across the Pacific.
‘This directly connects with OFC’s strategic pillars: Development, Education, and High Performance and will pave the way to success both on and off the pitch, while also building stronger ties between our Member Associations and Football Australia.” Maltock said.
Under the MoU, OFC and Football Australia will collaborate on player pathways, coach and referee development, competitions and international matches, governance and administration excellence, knowledge-sharing, and social responsibility programs. The partnership is designed to ensure football communities in both Oceania and Australia are strengthened, with opportunities and expertise flowing both ways.
A key element of the agreement is Football Australia’s formal support for the establishment of the OFC Professional League, set to begin in January 2026. By sharing technical, governance, regulatory, and competition expertise, Football Australia will contribute to the league’s success as a professional pathway and qualification route for international competitions, benefitting clubs and players across Oceania.
Football Australia Chairman Anter Isaac says the agreement reinforces a long-standing partnership.
“Football Australia and the Oceania Football Confederation share a partnership built on decades of collaboration, respect and shared ambition. This Memorandum of Understanding reinforces our relationship as a cornerstone of regional cooperation and sets the foundation for long-term collaboration that benefits us both.”
The MoU also highlights OFC’s strong record in governance and administration. Football Australia will draw on this experience to enhance its own programs, particularly in supporting emerging administrative talent and raising regional standards of excellence.
The partnership builds on the legacy of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, as well as New Zealand clubs’ participation in the A-Leagues and ongoing sports diplomacy initiatives across the Pacific.