Tahiti will boost their preparations for the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2022 with a three-game tour of Europe later this month, with matches locked in against Luxembourg and Andorra.
In the space of a week, which falls inside the FIFA Women’s International Match Calendar, the squad will face Luxembourg twice – in Luxembourg and then France – before playing Andorra in a one-off match.
In addition to the obvious benefits the friendly matches will provide Tahiti, who will by vying for a place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ at the OFC Women’s Nations Cup later this year, the tour marks another step in the return to international football for Oceania nations.
With the exception of New Zealand, who have been able to hold men’s and women’s matches overseas, Oceania countries haven’t been able to leave the region for matches since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic due to border restrictions.
Head of Women’s Football at the Fédération Tahitienne de Football Stéphanie Spielmann said with eight national team players based in France and one in America, the tour will be an important opportunity to get everyone together.
“The team needs to leave Oceania to gain experience. This is a great opportunity for us to play against these two European countries,” Spielmann said.
“This will allow us to make progress and best target the areas to be worked on.”
Outside of the scheduled matches, the Tahiti team will also meet with local clubs and take part in cultural exchanges as part of the trip.
Tahiti women’s matches in February
February 17 | v Luxembourg
February 19 | v Luxembourg
February 22 | v Andorra