BY JOY OFASIA
The Solomon Islands National Men’s U-19 Football Team has begun its journey towards the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
A squad of 23 players and seven officials left Honiara on Wednesday to compete in the 2026 OFC Men’s U-19 Championship in Samoa from September 1 to 14.
The team is aiming to finish in the top two and secure one of the two available OFC qualification spots for next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Solomon Islands National Men’s U-19 Football Team, Head Coach Franco Ne’e told Solomon Star preparations have gone well after two months of training.
“Preparations have been very good. We have been preparing for two months now,” Ne’e said.
He said the players are confident and determined to achieve their goal.
“We have faith in ourselves that we will go and earn a spot,” he said.
Solomon Islands is in Group A with hosts Samoa, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea.
Ne’e admitted the group would be difficult but said his team is ready.
“It is not an easy pool,” he said, adding that Samoa would have the advantage of playing in front of its home crowd.
“New Caledonia will be looking to build on their World Cup qualification from 2024 after finishing runners-up.”
“It will be a tough and exciting competition, but we are ready to give our all,” Ne’e added.
Solomon Islands will open its campaign against Papua New Guinea on September 1, followed by New Caledonia on September 4 and Samoa on September 7.
The top two teams will qualify for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.
