Two-time defending champions Auckland United FC believe the gap between themselves, and the rest of Oceania is closing as they prepare to begin their OFC Women’s Champions League title defence in the Solomon Islands this weekend.
The fourth edition of the regional club competition kicks off on Saturday, with Auckland United FC facing New Caledonia’s Drehu Athletico Club in the opening match at the National Stadium in Honiara.
“I think the gap that might have existed a couple of years ago doesn’t exist anymore,” Auckland United co-coach Jo Dawkins said at the official pre-tournament media conference. “We are taking it one game at a time. All the teams here have national team players, which is amazing, and the strength of football in the Pacific region is getting better.
A lot of those teams have leveraged the consistency they have with their national teams. We kept a close eye on the World Cup qualifiers, and we witnessed Papua New Guinea pushing the Football Ferns,” added Dawkins.
The tournament winner will qualify for the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2026, a stage Auckland United experienced last year when they gave a strong account of themselves in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Wuhan Jiangda in China.
Hekari Women FC have finished runners-up to Auckland United in each of the past two editions, but coach Ericsson Komeng said his side is focused only on the challenge immediately in front of them, rather than looking ahead to a possible final rematch. “I have a full squad that is very experienced, and hopefully that experience will help us through the tournament.” Komeng said.
Hosts Henderson Eels FC will carry the hopes of the Solomon Islands, with coach Godfrey Manehioha describing the opportunity to represent the country on home soil as both a privilege and a challenge.
“It’s a challenge for us as hosts representing the country,” Manehioha said. “Our aim is to do well, take each game as it comes, and go from there.”
“Having this tournament is the best thing that has happened to women’s football in Oceania,” he added. “It has contributed to the development of the women’s game, and the standard of every club is improving.”
Henderson Eels and Hekari Women FC are in a challenging Group A that includes last year’s semi-finalists Ba Women FC from Fiji and 2024 semi-finalists Tafea FC from Vanuatu.
Ba Women FC coach Charlene Lockington said her side is embracing the occasion with humility and a fresh mindset. “We have a lot of students in the team, great students, and we would like to start fresh, remain humble and congratulate the women in Oceania for the incredible growth that we have had,” she said.
Tafea FC coach Robert Calvo, whose side reached the semi-finals in Honiara in 2024, acknowledged the challenge ahead in a competitive Group A. “We are in a tough pool with a strong opponent and a powerhouse like Hekari,” he said. “We will try our best to get through to the semi-finals.”
Drehu Athletico Club coach Damien Waxuie said the New Caledonian side is proud to be making its OFC Women’s Champions League debut. “They have shown all their dignity to win the local competition and are coming with respect and humility,” he said. “It is the first time for the team, so they just want to get better and take it one game at a time.”
Puaikura FC coach Daniel Taoki said qualifying for the tournament is a significant moment for the Cook Islands champions. “It’s a huge privilege to be here,” he said. “We are going to take it one game at a time, prepare the girls and trust them to deliver what they can on the field.”
Auckland United FC and Drehu Athletico Club open Group B action on Saturday evening at the National Stadium, with Puaikura FC completing the three-team group.
Group A begins on Sunday, when Hekari Women FC face Tafea FC before Ba Women FC meet Henderson Eels FC. The competition runs in the Solomon Islands from June 27 to July 10, with all Group matches at the National Stadium and the semi-finals and final to be played at Lawson Tama Stadium.
How to Watch & Tournament Schedule
Fans can watch every match of OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 live and free on OFC’s YouTube channel.
