Twenty years on from its inaugural edition in 2006, the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup returns to the sands of Tahiti this week for its ninth staging.
The region’s leading beach soccer teams will compete for the trophy from 24-31 October at Aorai Tini Hau in Pirae, where the winner will qualify for FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2027™.
Following the withdrawal of Papua New Guinea, four teams will play each other once in a round-robin format, before the top two in the standings contest the final and the third- and fourth-placed teams meet in a play-off. All 8 matches will be available to watch live and free on OFC’s YouTube channel.
Ahead of the competition’s first matchday, the coaches and captains gathered at Aorai Tin Hau to give their thoughts.
New Caledonia
Returning to the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup for the first time since 2019, New Caledonia have finished inside the top three in both of their previous tournament appearances and take a promising squad to Tahiti.
“Our greatest strength is our unity and belief in what we’re doing,” says coach Ludovic Wakanumune. “That’s what the boys who have come here for this tournament bring to the team.”
Germain Haewegene is one of three national team football representatives in the squad and is a star for OFC Pro League club Tahiti United. They may not be favourites, but New Caledonia could be dark horses.
“The biggest challenge is trying to win this tournament, knowing that we don’t have a tournament back in New Caledonia. To those back home and here in Tahiti, please support us. As you’ve seen, there is a trophy to win.”
Solomon Islands
The inaugural winners of the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup in 2006, the Solomon Islands have won four titles, but haven’t lifted the trophy in 13 years, losing each of the last three finals to Tahiti.
“Tahiti is our main target. They are the current champions, and the team we want to finally get past this year,” said head coach James Naka.
Naka is the all-time top goalscorer in OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup history and has also been involved in every edition of the tournament, including seven as a player, and now his second as a coach.
“Back in the Solomons, all the fans expect us to win. We are here on a mission to compete for the title, and we’ll do our best.”
Tahiti
Oceania’s most successful beach soccer nation on the world stage, Tahiti are tied with the Solomon Islands for four OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup titles and have reached the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup™ final twice.
“Everyone will try to raise their game against us, so I don’t think there are any easy opponents,” says head coach Raimana Li Fung Kuee. “Our biggest challenge right from the start will be winning that first match.”
The Tiki Toa haven’t lost a match at the tournament since 2011 and have won each of the last three titles. Playing in front of their fans, they’ll be chasing a record fifth continental crown and qualification for a ninth World Cup.
“Come out in large numbers to support us. Come and help us qualify for our ninth World Cup and write another chapter in the history of French Polynesian beach soccer.”
Vanuatu
Finalists in each of the first three editions of the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cups, it’s been seven years since Vanuatu last graced the international beach soccer stage.
“We’ll try to come back where we left off and set a baseline in beach soccer which we can build from in the future,” said head coach Terry Malapa.
“Preparation didn’t go to plan with many players involved in other competitions, but we’ve managed to get a team together.”
Malapa has selected a squad of players with a variety of backgrounds, across 11-a-side football and futsal, many of whom have also represented Vanuatu national teams at other OFC and regional tournaments.
Match Schedule
How to Watch
Every match at OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup 2026 will be available to watch live and free on OFC’s YouTube channel HERE
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek