PNG has final shot for U-17 World Cup Qualification

Papua New Guinea delivered a spirited fight but lost to New Zealand 3-0 in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U-16 Men’s Championship Semifinal on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, at PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

The hosts were equal to the task in the opening 45 minutes, nullifying New Zealand’s attacking threat and keeping the score sheet clean. However, the defending champions regrouped in the second half and punished PNG. 

Despite the disappointing result, the PNG boys have a chance to redeem themselves when they meet the Solomon Islands in the third-fourth playoff on Saturday, July 25th, at PNG Football Stadium.   

The home side (PNG) started their campaign strongly, winning two matches against Samoa and New Caledonia. However, they lost to Fiji in the final group match and were defeated by New Zealand in the semifinal. 

Fiji claimed the top spot in Group A, while PNG finished second. The PNG men look forward to redemption tomorrow when they take on the desperate Solomon Islanders, who are also aiming for the third spot.

Papua New Guinea has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, including the senior men’s team and the junior side. The U-16 lads are on the cusp of creating history to qualify for the global tournament for the first time. 

Meanwhile, Fiji and New Zealand have remained undefeated in their respective groups and will battle for supremacy in the big dance. Both teams have secured their spots in the 2027 U-17 Men’s World Cup in Doha, Qatar.