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All Whites set to clash with New Caledonia for World Cup slot
Ben McKay, AAP • March 21st, 2025 10:59 pm
Photo: Masanori Udagawa/Photosport
Football minnows New Caledonia are one win away from a fairytale FIFA World Cup appearance after defeating Tahiti 3-0 in a crunch qualifier in Wellington.
Standing in their way are regional heavyweights New Zealand, who dispatched Fiji 7-0 - led by a Chris Wood hat-trick - to set up their own shot at reaching sport's biggest stage.
That will come at Auckland's Eden Park on Monday, when the All Whites battle Les Cagous in a single-match qualifier for the 2026 event in the US-Canada-Mexico.
For New Zealand, it would mean a new generation of football heroes experience a World Cup, a return after 16 years away and just their third appearance.
For New Caledonia, it would be a first, with many historic elements, including being the lowest-ranked and the smallest nation to reach the World Cup finals.
Their hero in Friday's semi-final was veteran Georges Gope-Fenepej, who scored a pair of stunning goals in the all-Francophone affair.
In the 50th minute Gope-Fenepej chipped into the net after Teave Teamotuaitau saved a first attack, and in the 75th minute the veteran sailed another lofted strike over the Tahitian goalkeeper from long range.
Lues Waha capped their dreamy day with a stoppage-time effort, before Tahiti defender Pothin Poma received a red card to confirm his side's tough afternoon.
Beyond their world ranking of No.152 and population of under 300,000, New Caledonia's appearance at the World Cup would be all the more remarkable given the country's ongoing political and civil unrest.
A long-running dispute over independence from colonial power France devolved into violence last May, producing at least 13 deaths and prompting Paris to send hundreds of armed police.
While order has been restored, the political impasse between the European immigrant and Indigenous Kanak population remains unresolved.
"The situation in our county is not easy," midfielder Jekob Jeno said.
"And this victory, we want to say 'New Caledonia it is possible to give hope to our people, to our family, to our children.' We are very proud."
Callum McCowatt fights for control against Fiji's Tevita Waranaivalu and Scott Wara | Photo: Marty Melville/AAP
In the second match, New Zealand's hardened professionals made short work of the almost completely amateur Fiji side.
English Premier League striker Wood headed the All Whites ahead in the sixth minute, and the romp continued on the quarter-hour mark when Sarpreet Singh sidefooted home after Marko Stamenic's dancing run and cutback.
After Scott Wara's own goal, fan favourite Tim Payne added a fourth to put the Kiwis in cruise control before halftime.
Wood added another pair of headers - both from Payne crosses - to run up both New Zealand's score and his personal tally: the 27th and 28th goals for either club or country this season in an extraordinary campaign.
With Wood substituted and spotted in the stands taking selfies with fans - earning a yellow card for the indiscretion - the Kiwis finished their rampage.
Callum McCowatt fights for control against Fiji's Tevita Waranaivalu and Scott Wara | Photo: Marty Melville/AAP
Chris Wasasala hit the post in a rare Fijian attack, but less than 30 seconds later Kosta Barbarouses volleyed home the All Whites' seventh from a breakaway.
It might have been eight, only for Ben Waine to miss an 88th-minute penalty.
The huge win shows New Zealand's favouritism to progress at Eden Park and benefit from FIFA's decision to offer the Oceania confederation direct qualification for the first time.
Monday's loser will also remain in contention, heading to a six-nation inter-confederation playoff next year.
Join Sport Nation for live commentary of the Oceania Qualifiers Final at Eden Park on March 24.
