The Fiji Football Association will reward each member of the Bula Boys playing squad and team officials with $1,000 each, following Fiji’s historic triumph at the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup.
Fiji FA President Rajesh Patel confirmed the reward after the Bula Boys defeated defending champions Vanuatu 1-0 in the final at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Thomas Dunn scored the decisive goal in the 10th minute as Fiji lifted the regional crown for the first time since 2000 and claimed its first title since the competition was revived as the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup.
Patel says the $1,000 reward for each player and official is Fiji FA’s way of recognising the commitment, sacrifice and pride shown by the national team throughout the tournament.
He says this is a proud and historic achievement for Fiji football and congratulated the players, coaching staff and officials for their tremendous effort in bringing the trophy home.
He says Fiji FA will reward each player and official with $1,000 as a token of its appreciation for their hard work and commitment to the national team.
Patel says they represented the country with pride and showed great character throughout the tournament.
He says winning a championship like this is never easy, and they deserve to be recognised for what they have achieved.
Fiji FA says the victory adds another chapter to Fiji’s proud history in Melanesian football.
The competition was originally known as the Melanesia Cup and was first staged in 1988.
Fiji won the inaugural tournament in 1988 and went on to claim further titles in 1989, 1992, 1998 and 2000.
The regional competition was revived in 2022 as the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup.
Fiji did not compete in the 2023 edition before returning in 2024 and reaching the final, where Papua New Guinea claimed the title.
Fiji FA says the 2026 success ended a 26-year wait for regional honours for Fiji and gave the country its first championship under the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup name.
With the five Melanesia Cup titles and the 2026 triumph, Fiji now has six regional titles across the competition’s history.
Patel says the achievement is particularly significant because it was secured on home soil.
He says Fiji enjoyed a proud record in the Melanesia Cup for many years, and some of the great names of Fiji football represented the country in the competition.
He says seeing this generation of Bula Boys bring the trophy back to Fiji after 26 years is something special.
Patel says the victory is not only for the players and Fiji FA but also for every Fijian football fan who has continued to believe in and support the national team.
Patel also acknowledged Bula Boys head coach Stephane Auvray and his technical team for their work in developing the squad and providing opportunities to a new generation of national team players.
He says the championship is an encouraging step as Fiji continues building towards future international competitions and the next FIFA World Cup qualifying cycle.
Patel says they are proud of the achievement but must continue working.
He adds that they have a young group with a lot of potential, and the victory should give them confidence and motivation to keep improving.
Patel also thanked all the supporters who came to HFC Bank Stadium and stood behind the Bula Boys.
He says the atmosphere and support from the fans played an important part in the historic achievement.
Fiji’s championship campaign was also capped by individual honours, with Dunn named the Men’s Golden Ball winner while goalkeeper Isikeli Sevanaia Junior received the Men’s Golden Glove award.
