THE Fiji Football Association is hopeful it will be able to kick start a professional league by 2024.
Teams to take part may include clubs from neighbouring Pacific nations.
According to Fiji Football Association CEO Mohammed Yusuf, the initial proposal was for a professional league for local-based franchises but interest from other nations may see an OFC Professional League take precedence.
“We expect a final decision on this by March next year and we are hoping to start the competition by 2024,” Yusuf said.
“Initially the plan was to start with Fiji teams only but neighbouring countries have shown interest so we might have a few outside teams.”
He highlighted the competition would be similar to the A-League played in Australia.
“Three will be two from the west, two from the south and one from the north,” Yusuf said.
“We will have a bidding process where people will bid to buy the franchises.
“All these will be outlined once the league is approved.
An Oceania Football Confederation taskforce was formed in 2019 with the sole purpose of determining the viability of a professional league in the Oceania region.
Since then, extensive research and analysis has been conducted into the formation of this competition, as well as a business case study.
The OFC has approved plans for the formation of the OFC Professional League during the OFC executive committee meeting in Doha, Qatar on November 19.
The formation of the OFC Professional League will support the OFC’s long-term goal of qualifying two teams to the FIFA World Cups in 2026-2027.
