Fiji Junior Bula Boys begin World Cup qualifying campaign

The Fiji Junior Bula Boys are set to begin their campaign at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in Papua New Guinea this weekend. This tournament is a crucial first step on their road to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2027.

Fiji has been drawn into Group A alongside New Caledonia, Samoa, and the host nation, PNG. Their opening match is scheduled against New Caledonia on Sunday, followed by a game against Samoa next Wednesday. They will conclude their group stage fixtures against PNG three days later.

The stakes are high, as the tournament will see the top three teams secure qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Fiji is aiming for its third appearance at the global event. Head Coach Sunil Kumar, who successfully guided Fiji to qualification in the previous two U-16 campaigns, will lead the current squad. The team includes promising young talent from across Fiji, as well as two players based in New Zealand who were identified during last year’s Pacific Community Cup.