"Kicking off on Jan. 17, 2026, at Auckland's famous Eden Park, the OFC Professional League, even if you might not have heard of it until now, is one of the most ambitious footballing projects in recent memory. Covering the vast expanse of the Pacific, the FIFA-backed league will seek to bring professional football to not just one country for the first time but an entire confederation,"
"In providing a new professional destination, it's hoped the competition will help to raise the level of football in the OFC, which now holds a direct qualification slot to the FIFA World Cup under the newly expanded 48-team format. The competition will also provide a stronger pathway and platform for players from the Pacific to earn moves to clubs in Australia, Asia, and the rest of the world."
The OFC Pro League will begin on Jan. 17, 2026 at Eden Park in Auckland. The league is backed by FIFA and aims to establish a fully professional competition across the Oceania Football Confederation for the first time. By providing a professional destination across the Pacific, the league seeks to raise playing standards and capitalize on the OFC's new direct World Cup qualification slot under the expanded 48-team format. The competition intends to create clearer pathways for Pacific players to move to clubs in Australia, Asia and beyond. The project envisions future expansion, including potential links as far as the United States.
Read at ESPN.com
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