From paradise to the pyramids

The French Polynesian island of Tahiti has long evoked – in European minds at least – the mythical trappings of a tropical paradise. Until now there has been little room for football in this idyll, but the island’s shock qualification for this month’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt may help change perceptions, and demonstrate…

O’Leary, a New Zealander, is part of a trio of Oceania match officials selected by FIFA and OFC to attend the World Cup and will preside over the second match of the championship tomorrow between Group A favourites Paraguay and Italy – a match that is being tipped as critical to both nations’ chances.O’Leary is…

The fervent support of the Egyptian fans, the presence of a well-balanced field of 24 teams, some spectacular venues, and the promise of new champions – after Argentina’s unexpected failure to qualify – are all raising hopes that this will be a vintage edition of FIFA’s second-oldest competition.As always, the tournament will offer many fans…

Never before has Tahiti featured at a FIFA World Cup finals and their opening challenge couldn’t be greater with a first-up match against Spain – one of the favourites of the U-20 tournament.The match will be played at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo on Friday (25 September) with kick-off at 9:30pm local time.Coach Lionel Charbionnier,…

Both organisations will work together to film, package and broadcast a regular flow of football content from around the Pacific region and further abroad starting next month with the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship to be held in Auckland from 5-9 October. This will be closely followed by coverage of the first round of OFC’s premier…