As we count down to our remaining two Group B matches (in the OFC Road to the FIFA 2026 World Cup) in New Zealand, beginning this Friday 15 November against the All Whites, VFF is hopeful of two main outcomes – Winning and Sealing professional contracts for our players.
In the OFC Road to the FIFA 2026 World Cup finals, Vanuatu are grouped with New Zealand, Samoa and Tahiti in Group B. Group A holds Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. So far Vanuatu and New Zealand are on 3 points each, after winning their first group matches, with Vanuatu taking the top spot on goal difference.
While we wait in much anticipation and expectation, VFF would like to encourage local fans and supporters, as well as our partners and other stakeholders, to understand the big picture in our developing the world game of football in our Republic.
“Vanuatu Football Federation aspires to be a leading football federation in the Oceania region; producing top quality football players, coaches, referees & administrators by effectively managing football development within the available resources whilst ensuring access & opportunities for everyone to participate throughout the country.”
Yes we all want to win; And yes we want our football players to present their qualities and getting the attention of professional club scouting agents. We already have our Captain Brian Kaltak as the first ni-Vanuatu professional player, and a role model for other island players, not only in Vanuatu but the whole Pacific region; And we see this as proof that we do have more potential players in the country who can follow the same pathway, if we achieve our development goals.
FIFA provides development funds to all its members, and we at VFF have a strategic plan to develop players (in both men and women) so that we can have competitive championship programs within our national structure, which in effect seeing us compete at high level tournaments, which we see as marketing platforms for our players.
Apart from our Captain Kaltak, Vanuatu Football has produced quality players who have and continue to play with various overseas clubs like Etinne Mermer, Richard Iwai, Seimata Chilia, Jason Thomas, Bong Kalo, Alex Saniel, Azariah Soromon, Jeffery Tasso, Joe Moses, John Alick and several others more.
VFF aims to produce quality players who would be able to play professionally and earn income for themselves, their families and the national economy. FIFA World Cup events are events in which all players around the world are showcased by their respective national federations. It is our hope that we see some of our players are scouted out for potential signing of contracts with overseas clubs.
Meanwhile, as we compete again in another OFC world cup qualifying tournament, VFF would like to thank everyone involved in preparing our national men’s team, including football clubs in-country and abroad, our coaching department headed by Coach Juliano Schmeling, our invaluable partners and sponsors, the Vanuatu government, the local business community and of course the players’ families and communities.
Let’s stand with our team in prayer and hope for positive outcomes for our national team, and for our players as well.
Match Schedules: Vanuatu vs All Whites in Hamilton on Friday 15 November, at 5.30pm local time. Vanuatu vs Tahiti in Auckland on Monday 18 November, at 2pm local time…… Ends…..
