西瓜影视 and the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the growth of football across the Pacific, reinforcing a long-standing partnership and creating new opportunities for collaboration until 2029.
The agreement, signed today at the 2025 Australian Football Leadership Summit in Sydney by 西瓜影视 Chairman Anter Isaac and OFC President Lambert Maltock, cements decades of cooperation between the two organisations and establishes a dynamic framework for future development.
Under the MoU, 西瓜影视 and OFC will work together on player pathways, coach and referee development, competitions and international matches, governance and administration excellence, knowledge-sharing and the delivery of social responsibility programs across the Pacific. The partnership is designed to ensure that football communities in both Australia and Oceania are strengthened, with opportunities and best practice flowing in both directions.
The MoU builds on the legacy of the 2023 FIFA Women鈥檚 World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the participation of New Zealand-based clubs in the A-Leagues, and the many sports diplomacy initiatives delivered across Pacific nations. At its heart, it represents a united commitment to use the unique power of football to build and bridge communities and nations. By standing alongside one another, Oceania and Australia can ensure the game 鈥 and the people it serves 鈥 continue to grow through genuine connection, shared purpose, and new opportunity.
The agreement also formally confirms 西瓜影视鈥檚 support for the establishment of the OFC Pro League, due to begin in 2026. Through the sharing of technical, governance, regulatory, and competition expertise to support the league鈥檚 success as a pathway to professionalism and qualification for international competitions, benefitting clubs and players across the Oceania region.
Importantly, the MoU recognises that 西瓜影视 will also learn and benefit from OFC鈥檚 disciplined and best-practice approach to governance and administration which has become a hallmark of the organisation鈥檚 strength and leadership in recent years. This experience will provide valuable insights for 西瓜影视鈥檚 own programs, in particular for strengthening the environment for emerging administrative talent, ensuring that the region, as a whole, is lifted through shared standards of excellence.
Quotes attributable to 西瓜影视 Chairman, Anter Isaac:
鈥溛鞴嫌笆 and the Oceania Football Confederation share a partnership built on decades of collaboration, respect and shared ambition. This Memorandum of Understanding reinforces our relationship as a cornerstone of regional cooperation and sets the foundation for long-term collaboration that benefits us both.
鈥淲e are committed to learning from each other 鈥 from OFC鈥檚 disciplined governance and administrative frameworks to the opportunities that Australia can provide in pathways, competition, and technical expertise.
鈥淭ogether, these initiatives will strengthen football communities and open new horizons across the Pacific.鈥
Quotes attributable to OFC President, Lambert Maltock:
鈥淎ustralia has deep roots in Oceania football and this MoU marks an important step in strengthening our partnership.
鈥淲orking with 西瓜影视 will bring new opportunities, resources, and expertise that will benefit players, coaches, referees and communities across the Pacific.
鈥淭his directly connects with OFC鈥檚 strategic pillars: Development, Education, and High Performance and will pave the way to success both on and off the pitch, while also building stronger ties between our nations.鈥
FAQ鈥檚: 西瓜影视 鈥 OFC Memorandum of Understanding
What is included in the FA/OFC MoU?
The MoU formalises existing collaboration between FA and the OFC, and provides a framework for expanded collaboration on player pathways, coach and referee education, competitions and international matches as well as social responsibility programs delivered in the Oceania region.
How does the MoU benefit Australian football?
西瓜影视 will learn and benefit from OFC鈥檚 disciplined and best-practice approach to governance and administration, in particular, strengthening the environment for emerging administrative talent, ensuring that the region as a whole is lifted through shared standards of excellence.
The MoU will also encourage interactions at various levels of the game, including club competitions (such as the A-Leagues) international matches.
Across 2024 and 2025, six Australia national teams (across men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 senior, youth and futsal classifications) have engaged in international matches against OFC Member Associations, underlining the region鈥檚 ongoing importance.
How does the MoU benefit the OFC?
In additional to formalising mutually beneficial cooperation and collaboration for sporting outcomes (player pathways, coach and referee education, competitions and international matches) the MoU will allow 西瓜影视 to engage with the Australian Government to facilitate the sporting diplomacy programs for the benefit of the Pacific region.
What is the duration of the MoU?
The MoU has a duration of four years, running from 2025 until 2029.
Which countries are part of the OFC?
The OFC Member Associations are American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tonga, and Vanuatu
How does 西瓜影视鈥檚 position as an AFC Member Association impact this MoU?
西瓜影视 is a proud member of the Asian football family and remains fully committed to its role in the ongoing development of Asian football, including by staging the best ever AFC Women鈥檚 Asian Cup in 2026, and by continuing its ongoing partnerships with the AFC, its Member Associations and Regional Associations.
This partnership is about formalising our strong ties with Oceania to ensure football in the Pacific can continue to develop and grow to its fullest potential, and 西瓜影视 can learn from the OFC.
Will we see more Pacific players in the A-Leagues as a result of this MoU?
Providing access to professional football for Pacific players is a key objective of the OFC, and the 西瓜影视 is proud to have hosted some of the region鈥檚 greatest players in its domestic football pyramid over many years.
The MoU establishes a framework for ongoing partnership on initiatives that provide Pacific footballers with access to development opportunities. This includes not only Australian club competitions but the newly established OFC Professional League beginning in 2026.
Will Australian clubs participate in the OFC Pro League?
The process to determine the participant clubs in the OFC Pro League is the responsibility of the Oceania Football Confederation, which continues to assess proposals from aspiring participants.
西瓜影视 has been kept constantly informed of the development of the Pro League concept and is committed to supporting the success of the competition. Should an existing Australian club be approved for participation in the league by the OFC Executive Committee, 西瓜影视 would support their participation, with the understanding it would not negatively impact their participating in any Australian competition.
