THE Crest Fiji Pearls will have their eyes firmly on a place at the 2027 Netball World Cup when they begin their Oceania qualifying campaign in Tonga today.
Five teams will battle for the region’s two World Cup spots, with hosts Tonga joined by Fiji, Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea and Samoa at the Tonga High School Indoor Stadium from September 14 to 18.
For the Pearls, the target is clear, to finish among the top two and secure their place at the tournament in Sydney next year.
Fiji will have to be at its best across the five-day competition, with every match carrying importance in the race for qualification.
The tournament also gives the Pearls an opportunity to measure themselves against the other leading teams in the Oceania region.
With only two qualifying places available, consistency will be important as Fiji looks to avoid leaving its qualification hopes to the final day.
Hosts Tonga will have the advantage of playing in front of their home crowd, while Samoa, Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands will also be pushing for one of the two available spots.
The Pearls will enter the tournament knowing that there is little room for error.
With the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 qualification places at stake, Fiji’s focus will be on starting strongly and building enough momentum to finish inside the top two.
The Oceania qualifier runs from September 14 to 18, with the top two teams earning automatic qualification for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.
Fiji will open its campaign against Cook Islands, Tuesday September 15 at 3pm(FJT).
