FIFA World Cup qualifiers: Samoa looking to step up

Pacific minnows Samoa are targeting an historic FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026 after being drawn in a favourable group for the opening stage of Oceania qualifying.

Ranked 194th in the world and 11th in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), Samoa were placed in Group D alongside Tonga, the Cook Islands and American Samoa in the draw for the first round of Oceania qualifying, which was held in Auckland on Thursday.

It is the first time Samoa have reached this stage of World Cup qualifying, and they will be hoping to make the most of their opportunity to progress to the second round, where they would face the likes of New Zealand, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.

Samoa’s coach, Matt Calcott, said he was “proud and excited” by the draw, and that his team would be “giving it everything” to reach the next round.

“We know it will be tough, but we believe in ourselves and we’re confident that we can do it,” Calcott said.

Samoa’s first match in the first round of Oceania qualifying will be against Tonga on March 17th, 2023, in Nuku’alofa.

The Road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international men’s football championship contested by the senior national teams of the members of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

The tournament will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from 8th June to 3rd July 2026, with a total of 48 teams taking part in the finals.

Oceania has been allocated one direct berth at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the winner of the OFC Nations Cup qualifying automatically.

The other OFC teams will compete in a play-off tournament for a chance to qualify for the inter-continental play-offs, where they will face teams from other confederations for a place at the World Cup.

Samoa’s Chances of Qualifying

Samoa are ranked 194th in the world and 11th in the OFC, so they are undoubtedly the underdogs in their group.

However, they have a number of talented players in their squad, including captain Desmond Fa’aiuaso, who plays for Central United in the New Zealand National League.

Samoa also have a good record against their fellow Pacific Island nations, having beaten Tonga 3-1 in a friendly match in 2019.

If Samoa can perform to their potential, they have a good chance of finishing in the top two in their group and advancing to the second round of Oceania qualifying.

Conclusion

Samoa are aiming to make history by reaching the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 2026.

They have been drawn in a favourable group for the first round of Oceania qualifying, and they have a number of talented players in their squad.

If Samoa can perform to their potential, they have a good chance of reaching the second round of Oceania qualifying and taking a step closer to their dream of playing at the World Cup.