The Junior Bula Boys are gearing up for a high-pressure third-place playoff against Papua New Guinea in the OFC U16 Championship — a crucial clash that will decide who claims the final qualifying spot for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026 in Qatar.
Fiji has impressed throughout the tournament, going unbeaten in the group stage with a 2-1 win over Tahiti, a 2-0 victory against Papua New Guinea, and a commanding 5-0 result over the Cook Islands.
In the semi-final, Fiji played bravely against New Caledonia, with the match ending 1-all and after extra time, they lost 5-4 in the penalty shootout.
Coach Sunil Kumar stressed the importance of composure, saying this is where it counts most, and the team needs to regroup, stay composed, and finish strong.
The third place playoff kicks off at 2:30pm at the National Stadium in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Meanwhile, New Zealand will face New Caledonia in the final at 6pm.
