Solomon Islands Football team lands in Port Moresby

The Solomon Islands Men's national football team are the first to arrive in Port Moresby as they prepare to compete in their two FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifiers against New Caledonia and the host country. 

Coach Josh Smith said preparations has been good following their narrow loss in their opening fixture against Fiji last month.

“We're looking forward to our remaining matches, I think we had good preparations after Fiji despite a few challenging factors.

“However the team's been together for about two and a half weeks in Honiara, playing some matches but we’re definitely looking forward to getting out here [PNG] and putting on a show for the fans.”

Smith said the weather in PNG is similar to their country as they settle in to acclimatize ahead of their first match on Thursday against New Caledonia and then on Sunday against PNG Kapuls.

“Our boys are conditioned and it'll be the same for the other teams, we will adjust to the weather and adapt to play in this conditions.”

He said the Solomon Islands team have a lot of emerging and experienced footballers who will be on their best in the qualifiers next week. 

The team will be led by captain Philip Mango. 

“We've got experienced and emerging players to be led by the captain Philip [Mango] and Javin Wae-Alick [Vice Captain], he’s a young player with a lot of potential for Solomon Islands in the next couple of years,” Smith said.

He added that their objective now is to compose and finish their chances against their opponents come next week while extending gratitude to their federation for working behind the scenes and ensuring the team’s safe travels into Port Moresby.

“We were blessed to receive a lot of supporters in Fiji so were hopeful to see the Solomon Islands community in Port Moresby turn up to support the boys,” Smith said.

Meanwhile Fiji and New Caledonia will be arriving in Port Moresby at a later date.