Solomon Islands set for historic double hosting and tough OFC U-16 draws
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
The Solomon Islands is preparing for a landmark year in youth football after official draws confirmed challenging group assignments for both the national men’s and women’s under-16 teams ahead of the 2026 OFC championships.
According to the Oceania Football Confederation, the draws were finalized on 18 February at the OFC Home of Football – Te Kahu o Kiwa in Auckland, confirming match pathways and host arrangements for the region’s premier youth competitions.
The biggest spotlight will fall on Solomon Islands as hosts of the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship from 6–19 September, a milestone moment for the growth of women’s football in the country.
Drawn in Group A, the hosts will face defending champions New Zealand, Fiji and the yet-to-be-decided qualifying winner.
Solomon Islands will open their campaign against New Zealand on Sunday 6 September at Lawson Tama Stadium (3pm), before meeting the qualifying winner on Wednesday 9 September (12pm) and Fiji on Saturday 12 September (3pm), with all host-nation fixtures scheduled for Lawson Tama.
“Hosts Solomon Islands have been drawn alongside defending champions New Zealand, Fiji and the qualifying winner in Group A,” OFC said.
The qualifying tournament, to be played in Papua New Guinea from 18–24 April, will feature American Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Cook Islands in a round-robin format, with the winner advancing to Honiara.
The 2026 event will be the eighth edition of the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, which OFC describes as providing a vital pathway for emerging female footballers across Oceania to gain international experience.
Meanwhile, the Solomon Islands U-16 men’s side faces a difficult Group B assignment at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in Papua New Guinea from July 12-25.
They will meet defending champions New Zealand, Tahiti and the qualifying winner, while Group A contains hosts Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa.
Solomon Islands will begin their campaign against New Zealand on Monday 13 July, followed by Tahiti on Thursday 16 July, before closing group play against the qualifier on Sunday 19 July.
“Defending champions New Zealand headline Solomon Islands’ pool, with Tahiti and the qualifying winner completing Group B”, OFC said.
A top-two finish would secure a semi-final berth on 22 July, with the tournament final scheduled for 25 July.
The men’s championship represents the 23rd edition of Oceania’s premier youth competition, dating back to 1983 when it was contested at under-17 level.
Together, the two tournaments signal a defining chapter for youth football in Solomon Islands — with the girls competing before home supporters and the boys testing themselves against the region’s strongest nations overseas.
“These championships remain central to talent development in Oceania, offering young players a clear pathway toward higher-level international football”, OFC said.
For Solomon Islands, attention now turns to preparation, squad selection and building momentum as the nation prepares to host a major women’s tournament while chasing regional success on both fronts in 2026.
Photo: OFC Media
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