New Caledonia Moves Closer to World Cup with Friendly Victory

In an inspiring display of determination, New Caledonia secured a 2-0 victory over Gibraltar in a friendly match on October 8, 2023. This win not only marks a historic moment for the South Pacific island nation but also propels them closer to a potential spot in the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.

The match took place at Europa Point Stadium in Gibraltar, where forward Germain Haewegene scored the second goal, leading to jubilant celebrations among his teammates. Despite the excitement, Haewegene and his fellow players face a daunting journey back home. A bus is scheduled to collect them at 02:30 a.m. for a grueling 30-hour journey covering approximately 12,000 miles, just three days after arriving for the game.

Haewegene, holding an apple rather than sports drinks, expressed his pride in representing New Caledonia. “It is a joy to play football and a big joy to score a goal, which I dedicate to my son and my wife,” he told ESPN. He emphasized the significance of this victory, stating, “It is the first time New Caledonia has played in Europe and we won.”

New Caledonia’s path to the World Cup is a challenging one. They recently reached the final of the Oceania qualification campaign, where they lost to New Zealand, but their semifinal win against Tahiti secured them a place in the upcoming FIFA interconfederation playoffs. Midfielder Jekob Jeno noted the rivalry with Tahiti, saying, “It is always special to beat Tahiti.”

Despite their success, New Caledonia faces formidable opponents in the playoffs, including Bolivia and teams from Concacaf, Asia, and Africa. Ranked 150 by FIFA, they aim to become the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup, surpassing Iceland. Coach Johann Sidaner acknowledged the challenge, stating, “Maybe we have a 1% chance of qualifying for the World Cup. But we will play 100% to do it.”

New Caledonia’s footballing journey has been relatively recent. The nation became a FIFA member in 2004 and has a unique relationship with France, from which it receives support. Sidaner, who took on the coaching role in 2022, highlighted the welcoming culture of the people and their passion for football. “It was an easy decision for me,” he said.

The team’s domestic club, AS Magenta, is currently the reigning champion of New Caledonia’s Super Ligue and is set to participate in the Coupe de France. However, the connection with France can lead to complications. When Gibraltar announced the friendly, the inclusion of flags caused diplomatic tensions, necessitating a swift adjustment to adhere to UEFA guidelines.

After their victory against Gibraltar, the players celebrated, knowing they have a long journey ahead. The team plans to continue their preparations with a training camp in France in January, hoping to play at least one competitive match before heading to Mexico for the playoffs in March.

Following the game, players gathered outside the stadium, capturing moments on their phones and enjoying the camaraderie. Haewegene encapsulated the team’s aspirations, stating, “Every young boy wants to play in a World Cup; it is a dream. That is our dream, and we know we have a chance.”

As New Caledonia prepares for the next stage of their journey, they do so with the spirit and determination that have defined their rise in international football.