You get the feeling the Island nations are a bit sick of Auckland City (and Team Wellington once) always being OFC's team at the CWC, and now also Intercontinental Cup. They likely feel having their own fully pro club teams gives them a better chance of breaking that virtual NZ monopoly.
I reckon they will certainly be more competitive playing in NZ and Aussie as full pros rather than amateurs, esp with some visa players fleshing out their squads. Would there be many EPL snobs in the Islands? They packed out the stands in Port Vila at the OFC Nations Cup last year, when the home team was playing. You'd think would be the same in football mad Honiara. Likely less so Fiji & PNG where yes the rugby codes are strong.
The Aus Govt is throwing $500M (over 5-10 years) to setup the new NRL team in PNG, but that yes that also includes some related infrastructure stuff (Aus Aid).
That would seem outside the mandate of what FIFA can provide. But you can see them bringing in a shark load of cash & resources re marketing, facilities, staff, media, pitch upgrades etc etc. The newly appointed league Project Manager is a European. Graft & corruption scandals are bad for FIFA's public image, and did eventually bring down Blatter. Infantino won't want to see those days return, but yeah he will want OFC's 11 votes at the next President election
I reckon they will certainly be more competitive playing in NZ and Aussie as full pros rather than amateurs, esp with some visa players fleshing out their squads. Would there be many EPL snobs in the Islands? They packed out the stands in Port Vila at the OFC Nations Cup last year, when the home team was playing. You'd think would be the same in football mad Honiara. Likely less so Fiji & PNG where yes the rugby codes are strong.
The Aus Govt is throwing $500M (over 5-10 years) to setup the new NRL team in PNG, but that yes that also includes some related infrastructure stuff (Aus Aid).
That would seem outside the mandate of what FIFA can provide. But you can see them bringing in a shark load of cash & resources re marketing, facilities, staff, media, pitch upgrades etc etc. The newly appointed league Project Manager is a European. Graft & corruption scandals are bad for FIFA's public image, and did eventually bring down Blatter. Infantino won't want to see those days return, but yeah he will want OFC's 11 votes at the next President election
