Junior All Whites seal World Cup berth
By Elton Lonaratha Jnr
New Zealand, Fiji and the Solomon Islands have become the first countries to join hosts Qatar at the 2027 U-17 World Cup.
A total of 48 teams will compete at the November tournament in Qatar – which hosted the senior men’s version of the football spectacular four years ago.
The Solomons qualified after beating Papua New Guinea on penalties to clinch third place in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U-16 Men’s Championship at PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby, before New Zealand trounced Fiji at the same venue in the final on Saturday.
Captain Ben Trenberth gaining composure with the ball-Photo: DJ Mills / www.phototek.nz
Goals from Golden Boot winner Zach Cashmore, player of the match Davi Valles Dos Santos and teammate Jack Clegg helped Martin Bullock’s side claim their 11th regional title and continue New Zealand’s dominance in Oceania age-group football.
Davi Valle Dos Santos celebrates a goal against Fiji at the Final- Photo: DJ Mills / www.phototek.nz
The victory secured New Zealand’s 13th appearance at the U-17 World Cup. The tournament was held in New Zealand in 1999.
“I’m very happy with the game because a 5-0 win never happens in a final. Fiji brought the energy, but we played well,” goalkeeper Will Martin told OFC Media after the match.
Centre-back Keigo Shimokawa, who was joined by his father during an OFC Media post-match interview, said the win was a special moment for the squad.
“It’s an amazing experience. The boys worked together to get an early lead. We are so thankful to have great support behind us because it makes everyone work harder,” Shimokawa said.
Midfielder Rylan Kumar said New Zealand’s intensity from the opening whistle helped them overcome a determined Fijian side.
“Going to the World Cup is special because we worked so hard. It’s a reward for the boys,” Kumar said.
Kumar also thanked supporters back home in New Zealand and said having his mother at the match made the occasion even more memorable.
The 23rd edition of the regional qualifying championship featured New Zealand, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and Samoa.
FIFA awarded Oceania three places at the 2027 tournament, with the winner, runner-up and third-place finisher all qualifying for the World Cup.
New Zealand will be joined by runners-up Fiji and Solomon Islands, who secured the third qualification spot after beating hosts Papua New Guinea 4-1 on penalties in the third-place playoff earlier in the day.
While New Zealand will be making their 13th appearance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Fiji and Solomon Islands will each be making their second appearance at the tournament.
New Zealand’s Jackson Skinner (L) & Fiji’s Ryan Swami (R) in action during the Championship Final-Photo: DJ Mills / www.phototek.nz
Fiji made their debut at the global tournament last year, while Solomon Islands will return to the world stage after eight years since making their debut in Brazil in 2019.
Meanwhile, New Zealand remain one of Oceania’s leading football nations at both senior and age-group level.
With their senior men’s team recently returning from the FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States, New Zealand’s next generation will now turn their focus to another appearance on the global stage.
