OFC Champions League 2026

So is definitely going to be an OCL comp in 2026, despite the new OFC Pro League coming to be (and taking OFC's spots at FIFA club tourneys).

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc-2026-tournament-schedule-confirmed/

OFC Men’s Champions League – Qualifying – 31 January – 6 February, Samoa

OFC Men’s Champions League – 9 – 22 August, Fiji

Confirmed teams:
Auckland City FC - NZ
Rewa FC - Fiji
AS Venus - Tahiti
Central Coast FC - Solomon Islands
ABM Galaxy - Vanuatu
Gulf Komara - PNG
Tiga Sport - New Caledonia

Does anyone understand why this is happening?

AucklandPhoenix

Does anyone understand why this is happening?

It is the 25th edition, so maybe that's a milestone reason OFC want to keep it going.

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc-mens-champions-league-2026-qualifying-draw-announced/

The qualifying tournament kicks off the 25th edition of the OFC Men’s Champions League, 38 years since the first-ever tournament back in 1987, when Australia’s Adelaide City lifted the inaugural crown.

AucklandPhoenix

Does anyone understand why this is happening?

They probably need to have something in place when the other comp falls over in its third season

Cue the cynical takes here, what good reason would there be for the competition not happening? It's largely unconnected to the Pro League.

LT01

Cue the cynical takes here, what good reason would there be for the competition not happening? It's largely unconnected to the Pro League.

The cost. 

Think I read ACFC might need to spend around $200K to attend the OFC CL. 
That was fine for the Trillian Trust when the FIFA dosh was coming in. 

But that train of gravy is finito.

I think the winner will represent Oceania at the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026....
And the other comp is a farce... still don't get how South Melbourne are in it. WTAF

AucklandPhoenix

Does anyone understand why this is happening?

Incorrect 

From next year it will be Pro League clubs going to FIFA tourneys from OFC

Half the OFC doesn't have a team in the Pro League. Even where they are, that doesn't mean other clubs in their country don't want to strive for the top. Have the people here stopped to think about that or is it all about NZ??

For the record other competitions like the Futsal Champions League, Futsal Nations Cup and the Womens Champions League barring the last edition have run with no qualifier to a FIFA competition. 

LT01

For the record other competitions like the Futsal Champions League, Futsal Nations Cup and the Womens Champions League barring the last edition have run with no qualifier to a FIFA competition. 

all the other federations have only pro clubs in their continental championships - this is a mix between amateur and shamateur clubs - so like it was mentioned above is it really financially viable anymore?  however it's a good point about those nations who don't have a team in the Pro League - what do they do - not sure this is the answer to that problem.

The only OFC nation that isn't in the OFC Pro League that really matters is New Caledonia. And for now that's just likely due to the violent civil unrest there the last 1-2 years. 

Hopefully they can be accepted in soon.

Tonga, Cooks and American are tiny (population) minnows and always will be. 

Samoa is a bit of an improver (more so in the women's game), but really none of their players live there. Like the other 3 nations above their domestic football is very weak, and football sits behind the rugby codes. 

Dauntae Mariner is a Samoan international signed by South Island United. So there is opportunity/pathway for guys from the real minnows to play in an OFC League.

Likewise not sure the OFC Champions League is really needed anymore.

Following on what above, just read that Jaylen Rodwell (South Island United) has Niuean heritage. Though don't think Niue are even a full OFC member. 

Squads have to be finalised by tomorrow.
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/12/22/deadline-nears-for-ofc-pro-league-clubs-to-complete-first-season-signings/

The eight founding clubs in the new OFC Pro League are nearing the deadline to complete signings for their squads to play in the opening round of matches in mid-January.

The clubs must submit their first team squad lists for the opening round to OFC by 5pm (NZT) on Tuesday December 23, 2025, providing players have been registered no later than Monday December 22, 2025.

Team lists need to have at least 20 players, including three goalkeepers, and a maximum of 23 players.

The league gets underway on Saturday January 17, 2026.

Participating clubs have been signing players in readiness for the opening round of 12 games to be played at Eden Park and Albany’s North Harbour Stadium.

To play in the competition after completion of Round 1, players must be signed by clubs no later than January 21, 2026 (NZT).

OFC Pro League rules say players can only turn out for one club in the competition during the season.

Matt Foord confirmed for Bula FC.

We’re thrilled to sign 19-year-old Kiwi goalkeeper Matthew Foord as our 22nd Warrior! Matt’s had standout moments with clubs like Wellington Phoenix Reserves & internationally, winning Golden Glove at the OFC U17 Qualifiers. #BulaFC #OFCProLeague pic.twitter.com/cQOpurRIZ3

— Bula FC (@thebulafc) December 22, 2025

Qualifiers began today - featuring national champs Pago Youth (American Samoa), Tupapa Maraerenga (Cook Islands), Vaivase-Tai (Samoa) and Nukuhetulu (Tonga).

Shock result in the first game - despite Vaivase-Tai being the host team and Pago being reduced to 10 in the first half, the American Samoans held on for a 1-1 draw, great result for them but very poor one for Vaivase-Tai.

And perhaps the second game was expected to be close, but Tupapa currently cruising 3-0 up against Nukuhetulu. Difference of Tupapa being regulars in continental footy and Nukuhetulu being on debut I guess.

Key game will be Tupapa vs Vaivase-Tai on Tuesday.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2026/02/25/draw-made-for-ofc-mens-champions-league-tournament/

Auckland City have learned their pathway to defending their OFC Men’s Champions League title at an eight-club tournament in Fiji in August.

The New Zealand men’s National League champions will go into a group with Central Coast (Solomon Islands), AS Venus (Tahiti) and AS Tiga Sport (New Caledonia).

Auckland City, who are chasing their 14th OFC Champions League title, will meet Central Coast in their opening match, before facing last year’s semi-finalists AS Tiga Sport, and AS Venus who they met in the 2022 final.

The other group at the tournament comprises host club Rewa, Lae City (Papua New Guinea), Galaxy (Vanuatu) and Tupapa Maraerenga (Cook Islands), who won this month’s qualifier series to take the last berth.

Games will be played at Govind Park, Ba, and at Churchill Park, Lautoka, between August 9-22, 2026.

The 2026 OFC Men’s Champions League will be the 25th edition of the tournament since its inception in 1987.