Two years after their historic debut at the OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup, Papua New Guinea are back in 2026, attempting to build on the momentum of their maiden appearance as the sport continues to grow in the country.
“Beach soccer was born in PNG in 2024 through our first ever participation in the tournament and it’s here to stay,” says team manager Joel Keimelo.
Trailblazers for their nation two years ago, they won just one of their four matches and finished fourth on the competition standings but have continued to work on developing their skills and domestic league structures in the time since.
“Since coming back home, we have tried to improve our understanding of the rules of the game, and more importantly, tried to learn the skills needed in beach soccer.”
The sport remains in its infancy, having first been played on Fisherman’s Island, located 30 minutes off the coast of Papua New Guinea’s capital city, Port Moresby, where most of the beach soccer national team’s players descend.
Nevertheless, they hope their second participation at the tournament will continue to grow their domestic competitions and help expand the sport across the nation for all its passionate football followers to enjoy.
History
Papua New Guinea made history by winning their very first international match at OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup 2024, defeating Fiji 8-6 in the opening match of the tournament in the Solomon Islands.
Unfortunately, their competition ended with three consecutive defeats and a fourth-place finish, but they’ll be better served for the experience in 2026.
The Coach: Babob Labong
The coach behind their historic inaugural campaign in 2024, Babob Labong is back in charge for his second OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup with Papua New Guinea.
Labong has called upon a tightly knit group, most of whom he has also coached in 11-aside football at the Moukele Football Association on Fisherman Island.
The Squad
Eight of Papua New Guinea’s 12-man squad for OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup 2026 are survivors from their inaugural campaign, providing plenty of experience from which Labong can draw upon in Tahiti. Five of those eight were also goalscorers for Papua New Guinea in 2024.
“Preparations have gone well,” says team manager Joel Keimelo. “Seeing the level and quality of our opponents, we know we have a lot to do. It’s just about getting the mindset of our players ready for what they will face.”
Player to Watch: Kopi Samuel
The captain and goalkeeper for Papua New Guinea, Kopi Samuel is one of the nation’s current crop of pioneering beach soccer players and lives in the history books as the first player to lead them on the international stage in 2024.
PNG conceded 43 goals in their four matches on debut, so his immediate concern in Tahiti will be to keep that tally lower this time around.
Squad List
Match Schedule
(All matches held at Aorai Tini Hau, Pirae, Tahiti)
Papua New Guinea v Solomon Islands
Thursday 22nd October, 2pm local time
Papua New Guinea v Vanuatu
Saturday 24th October, 2pm local time
Tahiti v Papua New Guinea
Tuesday 27th October, 4pm local time
New Caledonia v Papua New Guinea
Thursday 29th October, 2pm local time
How to Watch
All matches are available to watch LIVE and FREE on the OFC YouTube Channel