New Zealand have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, as they’re back in the World Cup for just the third time in their history and the first time since 2010.
They beat New Caledonia 3-0 in the final of Oceania (OFC) qualifying to grab the single automatic qualifying spot for the 2026 World Cup, with captain Chris Wood hobbling off in the second half but still able to celebrate the milestone moment. New Caledonia finished as runners up in OFC qualifying and will now compete in the inter-confederation playoffs.
The 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cup tournaments saw New Zealand win the OFC qualifying tournament only to respectively lose inter-confederation playoffs against CONCACAF foes Mexico, Peru, and Costa Rica.
Now New Zealand are in the World Cup, while New Caledonia will be hoping to cause a few almighty upsets to join them.
Oceania (OFC) World Cup qualification format
- First round (Sept. 6-9, 2024): Four teams play two semifinals, one final in Apia, Samoa
- Second round (Oct. 10 - Nov. 17, 2025): Eight teams, two groups, top two from each group advance
- Third round (begins March 2025): Four teams, two semifinals, one final with winner qualifying for World Cup and runner-up qualifying for inter-confederation playoffs
Oceania (OFC) World Cup qualification schedule — First round fixtures, results
Friday, September 6, 2024
Cook Islands 1-3 Tonga
American Samoa 0-2 Samoa
Monday, September 9, 2024
Tonga 1-2 Samoa (AET)
Oceania (OFC) World Cup qualification standings, schedule — Second round match-ups
October 11, 2024
New Caledonia 3-1 Papua New Guinea
Solomon Islands 0-1 Fiji
New Zealand 3-0 Tahiti
October 12, 2024
Vanuatu 4-1 Samoa
November 13, 2024
Solomon Islands 2-3 New Caledonia
November 14, 2024
Papua New Guinea 3-3 Fiji
Samoa 0-3 Tahiti
November 15, 2024
New Zealand 8-1 Vanuatu
November 16, 2024
Fiji 1-1 New Caledonia
November 16, 2024
Papua New Guinea 1-2 Solomon Islands
Tahiti 2-0 Vanuatu
November 18, 2024
Samoa 0-8 New Zealand
Oceania (OFC) World Cup qualification standings, schedule — Second round groups
Group A
- New Caledonia — 2-1-0, +3 GD — 7 points
- Fiji — 1-2-0, +1 GD — 5 points
- Solomon Islands — 1-0-2, -1 GD — 3 points
- Papua New Guinea — 0-1-2, -3 GD — 1 point
Group B
- New Zealand — 3-0-0, +18 GD — 9 points
- Tahiti — 2-0-1, +2 GD — 6 points
- Vanuatu — 1-0-2, -6 GD — 3 points
- Samoa — 0-0-3, -14 GD — 0 points
Oceania (OFC) World Cup qualification standings, schedule — Third round format, schedule
Semifinals
Thursday, March 20, 2025
New Caledonia 3-1 Tahiti
Friday March 21, 2025
New Zealand 7-0 Fiji
Final
Monday, March 24, 2025
New Caledonia 0-3 New Zealand — New Zealand qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup and New Caledonia qualify for inter-confederation playoffs
