New Caledonia vs Tahiti Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (OFC)

by Alex Lawes · March 19 2025, 09:58

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New Caledonia performed well in Group A of the second round of OFC 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification as they won that group and now face Group B runners’ up Tahiti in this semi-final.

Kick-off date/time: Friday 21st March, 2025: UK – 2:00am / Thursday 20th March, 2025: US ET – 10:00pm / US PT – 7:00pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – FIFA+ / US – FIFA+

Key Stats

New Caledonia have lost only one of their last six international matches against Tahiti (W3 D2).
New Caledonia have won two and drawn one of their previous three matches in the current World Cup qualifying campaign.
New Caledonia have won five and drawn two of their last seven international matches.
Tahiti have won their last two World Cup qualifying matches without conceding a goal.
Tahiti have lost only three of their last 15 international matches (W10 D2).

New Caledonia vs Tahiti Prediction

Such is the nature of Oceanian qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with an expanded 48-team tournament, they are guaranteed a qualifier but, even though that is expected to be New Zealand, runners’ up will qualify for the intercontinental playoffs, too.

The New Caledonians are favourites to be that team that get into the intercontinental playoffs, managing two victories and a draw in their group stage with the two wins against the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea as well as a draw against Fiji that now take on a New Zealand side in the other semi-final of OFC qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Tahiti are the only side that have denied New Zealand winning the OFC Nations Cup since the departure of Australia to the Asian confederation in the mid-2000’s. Tahiti qualified for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup but that was a major upset and the French Polynesians have returned to being a weak side, albeit competitive in the context of Oceanian football.

New Caledonia collected seven points in the groups but were never overly dominant, although they remain favourites for this one in what should be a tighter affair than the other semi-final.

New Caledonia vs Tahiti Tip: New Caledonia to win & under 3.5 goals