New Caledonia have qualified for their first FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup after defeating Fiji 1-0 in the seminfals of the 2026 OFC U16 Women’s Championship in Honiara on Wednesday.
The French territory joins New Zealand, who beat Papua New Guinea 3-0 in the other seminial, in qualifying for next year’s FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Kinë Hmaen scored the only goal for New Caledonia, securing the territory’s historic qualification.
New Caledonia’s qualification follows the U20 women’s team’s appearance at its first FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland earlier this month.
OFC said New Caledonia’s lone goal came in just the 10th minute of the contest, Gisèle Hace threading a pinpoint pass in-behind the Fijian defence for Hmaen to score.
They had other opportunities to make the scoreboard look more comfortable though.
Heidra Adjouhgniope forced Fijian goalkeeper Miliana Maramanikabau into making two saves with her attempts, while substitute Tanya Geiller also struck the top of the crossbar after cutting onto her right foot for a shot from the top of the box midway through the second half.
Fiji fought hard for an equaliser but they could not find the back of the net.
The night belonged to New Caledonia instead, sparking wild celebrations at the final whistle.
New Caledonia and New Zealand will meet in the final at Honiara’s National Stadium on Saturday night.
