Auckland FC, Chch United in, Nix out
- Dave Worsley
- Aug 29
- 3 min read
Auckland FC and Christchurch United FC are among the eight clubs that have won bids to contest the first-ever professional football league in the Oceania region next year.
However the Wellington Phoenix are not happy in missing out and Auckland FC will have to stagger their teams from the A-League to the new competition as well as in the National League.
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It's not certain how teams in the A-League which is part of the Asia Federation can play in the Oceania competition.
The Phoenix released the following statement:
The Wellington Phoenix are immensely disappointed to have not been selected for participation in the OFC Professional League in 2026.
The Phoenix were informed this afternoon that while their submission met the minimum licensing requirements it received a lower score than Auckland FC and Christchurch United.
Given that the Phoenix is the largest professional football club in Oceania, the club is digesting OFC’s decision and is seeking further information as to how both Auckland and Christchurch received higher scores.
“How the Phoenix, as the only professional club in Oceania for over 15 years, could not be included in the first OFC Pro League is nonsensical,” Phoenix general manager David Dome said.
Another side FC Auckland also missed out despite being associated with Auckland City FC and overseas teams and having good financial backing.
The other teams to make the grade are Bula Boys FC (Fiji), Hekari United FC (Papua New Guinea), Solomon Kings FC (Solomon Islands), Tahiti United FC (Tahiti) and Vanuatu FC (Vanuatu) are all also confirmed as preferred candidates for the OFC Professional League.
South Melbourne FC has been selected to represent Australia as the sole team from outside the OFC region.
The clubs were chosen from 24 applicants based on the recommendations of the Independent Club Licensing Committee. The eight chosen clubs are still subject to the final stages of the licensing and compliance process before full confirmation.
The OFC Professional League will kick off on 10 January 2026 with teams competing in a circuit series format, held across the Pacific.
The League will also serve as Oceania's qualifier for the FIFA Club World Cup in 2029.
OFC general secretary Franck Castillo said the league was "a historic moment for Oceania football'.
"For the first time, our region will have a professional league that provides a pathway for players, coaches, and clubs to compete at the highest level within the Pacific.
"The eight preferred clubs represent the diversity and passion of our Member Associations, and while there are still final steps to be completed, today marks a major milestone on our journey towards January 2026."
The first OFC Professional League season will run from January through to May with each club playing a minimum of 17 matches.
The competition will feature five circuit series rounds. After the circuit series phase, teams will be split into two playoff groups: Leaders and Challengers.
The Leaders Playoff Group will see the top four teams battle for three of the four semi-final spots, whilst the Challengers Playoff Group will involve the remaining teams, with the top side earning a playoff match against the fourth-placed team from the Leaders Group to determine the remaining semi-final berth.
The semi-finals and the final will be single-leg knockout matches.
