Four teams have arrived in Apia, Samoa for the qualifying stage of the OFC Men’s Champions League 2026, set to kick-off this Saturday at the Samoa Football Headquarters.
Hosts Vaivase-Tai FC of Samoa, Tupapa Maraerenga FC of the Cook Islands, Pago Youth FC of American Samoa, and Nukuhetulu FC of Tonga, are set to compete for a place in the OFC Men’s Champions League 2026 held in Fiji, later this year.
At this morning’s media conference, coaches shared their thoughts on the tournament and the chance to advance to the next stage.
Vaivase-Tai FC
Hosts Vaivase-Tai FC enter the tournament looking to repeat their qualifying stage success from 2024, topping the group with two wins, including an impressive 14-0 victory over Vaiala Tonga SC.
This year they’ll be looking to repeat that success, using the experience they gained from their 2024 campaign to to push them towards another spot in the next stage.
“The challenge is on us as we are hosting the qualifying tournament,” says Vaivase Tai Physical Trainer Taumateina Tugaga.
“It has added some pressure on us and we must do our best. It’s our second time at the qualifying stage, and we’ve learned a lot that has influenced our preparation.
“It’s a golden opportunity, to reach the second round again and we realise there’s another level of football. We’ve seen it and experienced the final tournament with our players in 2024, and it’s a good sign for our football to compete at that level.”
Tupapa Maraerenga FC
The Cook Islands will again be represented by their most successful club, Tupapa Maraerenga FC, who enter the OFC Men’s Champions League for the tenth time, having previously won the qualifying stage on four occasions, including in 2025.
“The boys are ready for this tournament, especially after gaining the experience that we did last year. For us, our goal is to finish on top, but it’s going to be tough and will come down to the wire. When the opportunity comes, we must take it.” said head coach Paavo Mustonen.
On top of qualifying for the next stage in Fiji, Mustonen said the tournament would help support football in the Cook Islands
“For the boys themselves, they’ll gain a lot of experience if we can make it to the second stage, and they’ll be able to bring the experience back home and help out the with the development of the game in the country.”
Pago Youth FC
American Samoa’s domestic champions Pago Youth FC will be appearing in the OFC Men’s Champions League for the fifth time – having last competed on the continental stage in 2019. Coming off the back of a successful domestic season that saw them score 198 goals in 20 matches, they arrive in Apia with confidence, and will be attempting to become just the second American Samoan club to win a match in the competition.
“Preparation has gone well, we know it’s a tough tournament,” says head coach Paul Ualesi. “We know there’s very high expectations as well, and this kind of level is high. We stay united, and respect all our opponents.”
“It’ll mean a lot to qualify, and it will be a huge milestone if we reach the second stage. Our club has high expectations though, and our mission is to be the first team from American Samoa to qualify for the second stage.”
Nukuhetulu FC
Nukuhetulu FC of Tonga are competing in the OFC Men’s Champions League for the first time, and are only the third Tongan club to participate in the tournament. Having only made their senior debut in 2020, their rise has been rapid, and they are looking to become the first team from Tonga to advance to the qualifying stage.
“My expectations are that it’s going to be a tough and very competitive tournament,” says head coach Lafaele Moala. “We are small in size but big in heart, and we are not here as tourists, but here to compete.”
“If we qualify, it will mean a lot. My team is the third team from Tonga to play in the tournament, and if we make it to the next stage we will re-write history again.”
Matches kick off this Saturday at Samoa Football Headquarters.
See the full match schedule below.
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Avii Faalupega Studio.