The Solomon Is have been awarded hosting rights for the 2012 OFC Nations Cup, the second round in OFC qualifiers for Brazil 2014. Fiji were originally named hosts, but according to reports, the OFC executive committee made the decision to move the tournament due to a legal dispute involving leadership of the Fiji Football Association and the OFC. Honiara in the Solomons will now host the Nations Cup FRI 01-SUN 10 JUN 2012, from which the top two teams in each group will progress to the final round.

The last place in the OFC Nations Cup has been claimed by Samoa, winners of the OFC first round of Brazil 2014 qualifiers. Samoa capped their performance with a 1-0 win over an inspired American Samoa squad that had earlier won an international match for the first time, following 30 successive defeats. Diamond OTT nearly had a winner for Amer Samoa in the 81st minute, but his shot struck the post. Silao MALO scored in the 89th minute to secure advancement for the Samoans. Tonga claimed second place with their 2-1 win over the Cook Is. The OFC Nations Cup will be played in Fiji in JUN 2012, and the top four teams will progress to the OFC final round.

In the qualifiers for the 2006 Men’s World Cup, New Zealand lost to eventual last place finishers Vanuatu, opening the door for the Solomon Is to make the final playoff instead. This time, the Solomon Is and New Zealand are in the same qualifying group at the OFC Nations Cup, the second round of OFC qualifying for Brazil 2014. Two teams advance from each group to the final round, with the winner progressing to the playoff with a CONCACAF side. more...

At the qualifying draw for Brazil 2014, the draw for the OFC Nations Cup will be made. American Samoa, Cook Is, Samoa, and Tonga have already been assigned to the first round. The other seven OFC members will be drawn into two groups, along with a slot for the first round winner. Each group will contain two teams from each of the two pots. more...

FIFA has approved a change to the OFC’s qualifying process for Brazil 2014. Where the men’s football tournament at the 2011 Pacific Games was to serve as the first round, there will now be a first round involving the four lowest ranked teams [as of the FIFA rankings for JUL 2011], with the winner joining the other seven OFC members in the 2012 OFC Nations Cup. The semifinalists of that tournament will then play in the final round, which will be a four team, double round robin group as before. The winner advances to the playoffs against an opponent from another confederation. more...

The OFC will determine its entrant to the playoff for Brazil 2014 in much the same way as for the previous tournament. 10 of the 11 member nations are competing in the men’s football tournament at the Pacific Games. Kiribati and Tuvalu will also compete, but as they are not FIFA members, the top three finishers amongst the remaining teams will be eligible to compete in the final round, to which New Zealand receives a bye. The winner of this group competes in the playoff for a place at the Men’s World Cup. more...