Oceania football rides the crest of a new World Cup wave

Oceania could be sending two teams to the FIFA World Cup 2026 for the first time ever.

For the first time, the winners of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) qualifiers are guaranteed a place in the group stages, a spot won by New Zealand.

The head of media and communications at OFC, Matt Brown, says this change has been a long time coming.

“Having direct entry ensures that a team from this confederation will compete at every World Cup.

“Showcasing the best of Oceania football every four years is a big thing.

“But then almost even bigger is the fact that there's a half spot.”

As well as the guaranteed spot for the winners of the OFC qualifiers the runners-up, New Caledonia, can also still qualify through the intercontinental playoffs.

These playoffs in March next year provide an unprecedented opportunity for two Oceania teams to compete on the world’s biggest stage.

“Having the half-spot enables incredible aspiration for the member associations to get to that highest level and to become as good as they possibly can,” says Brown.

“You're going have to get past a quality side to have that opportunity but what an experience and what a chance for this generation of footballers.”

These changes come thanks to FIFA’s decision to expand the competition from a 32 to a 48-team format from 2026.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino indicated the decision was to produce an event even more globally inclusive.

“Sixteen more countries, some of which probably would never have dreamt of participating in a world cup, will have the chance to participate and many more will have the chance to dream,” he said.

Hosted across Canada, Mexico and the United States, the World Cup is set to kick off on June 11 2026 in Mexico City's Estadio Azteca.