In a historic move for Oceania’s football confederation, FIFA has granted direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup, marking the first time a team from the region will bypass the intercontinental playoff system. New Zealand, the highest-ranked team in Oceania at 89th in FIFA’s rankings, is favored to secure the spot as they face Fiji in the semifinals of the Oceania qualifying tournament in Wellington on Friday. Tahiti and New Caledonia will compete in the other semifinal, with the final set for Auckland next Monday. The winner will join hosts Canada, the United States, and Mexico in the expanded 48-team tournament. The runner-up will still have a chance to qualify through a playoff series involving teams from Asia, Africa, South America, and CONCACAF. Critics have questioned the fairness of low-ranked teams qualifying directly while higher-ranked teams from more competitive confederations are eliminated. However, New Zealand captain Chris Wood defended the decision, stating that a true global World Cup requires representation from every continent. New Zealand’s coach, Danny Bazeley, emphasized the team’s determination to avoid past playoff disappointments, while Fiji’s coach, Rob Sherman, acknowledged the challenge of facing a more experienced and professional New Zealand squad. Despite the odds, teams like New Caledonia and Tahiti have celebrated their semifinal achievements as significant milestones.