BY RICHARD MENANOPO
The Solomon Islands Under-16 men’s football team, Katukatu will face its toughest challenge yet when it takes on an unbeaten Fiji in the semi-finals of the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship 2026 on Wednesday in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
According to match information shared by the PNG Football Association and tournament updates from AUFFI Australia, the highly anticipated semi-final will kick off at 4:00pm (AEST) at the PNG Football Stadium, with a place in the championship final at stake.
The encounter pits Group B runners-up Solomon Islands against a confident Fiji side that topped Group A after completing a flawless group campaign.
Fiji heads into the knockout clash with an impressive record of three wins from three matches, scoring 10 goals without conceding a single goal, making the Young Bula Boys one of the tournament favourites.
Despite Fiji’s dominant form, Solomon Islands has shown resilience throughout the tournament to earn its place among Oceania’s top four youth teams and will be determined to upset the Group A winners.
The second semi-final will see tournament heavyweight New Zealand meet host nation Papua New Guinea at 7:30pm (AEST) at the same venue.
The winners of Wednesday’s fixtures will progress to the grand final, while the defeated teams will contest the third-place playoff.
Tournament organisers have described the semi-finals as two blockbuster clashes featuring some of Oceania’s brightest young football talents, with football fans in Papua New Guinea expected to turn out in strong numbers. Tickets for both matches are available at the stadium gate for K5.
Supporters unable to attend the matches can watch both semi-finals live and free through the Oceania Football Confederation’s official YouTube channel.
For Solomon Islands, Wednesday’s contest presents another opportunity for the country’s emerging footballers to test themselves against one of the region’s strongest youth sides and move within one victory of continental glory.
The OFC U-16 Men’s Championship 2026 is being staged in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, featuring eight Oceania nations divided into two groups. Fiji, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Solomon Islands advanced to the semi-finals after finishing in the top two positions of their respective groups, with the tournament also serving as a platform to showcase the region’s next generation of football stars.
Photo credit: OFC Media/fb page
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