The idea to include an Aussie team(s) in this comp has likely come from talks between Australia and the OFC. Not FIFA driven.
https://www.cessnockadvertiser.com.au/story/8814712/oceania-looks-to-australia-for-new-pacific-league/
Australian soccer clubs - either established or new - could be involved in a new Pacific competition after an invite was extended by the Oceania Football Confederation.
https://www.cessnockadvertiser.com.au/story/8814712/oceania-looks-to-australia-for-new-pacific-league/
Australian soccer clubs - either established or new - could be involved in a new Pacific competition after an invite was extended by the Oceania Football Confederation.
The region's football body is seeking expressions of interest in a new "OFC Professional League" to kick off in 2026.
The project is backed by FIFA supremo Gianni Infantino, given Oceania (OFC) has just two professional football sides: Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC, who play in the Australian A-Leagues.
The new league is yet to have any confirmed teams or format, with a start date pushed back first by the pandemic, and then again as the scale of the task becomes clear.
Football associations or clubs in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Zealand are all on record as being interested in the league, which would be heavily subsidised by FIFA.
Football associations or clubs in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Zealand are all on record as being interested in the league, which would be heavily subsidised by FIFA.
It remains to be seen if the Australian government could also subsidise an Australian club in the league.
The Australian government also markedly increased its "sports diplomacy" in the region, funding tours by national Australian soccer teams and, notably, an NRL side slated for Port Moresby.