Tournament Review Beach Soccer Men's Nations Cup 2026
The ninth edition of the OFC Beach Soccer Men's Nations Cup has wrapped up in Tahiti, with the Tiki Toa retaining their continental crown and qualifying for FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2027™. Four nations competed on the sands of Aorai Tini Hau across four matchdays in Pirae, marking 20 years since the tournament was first held in 2006.
We've recapped the key moments from an action-packed week in Tahiti. Tournament Review Group Stage The Solomon Islands celebrate a goal on their way to joining Tahiti in the final.
Tahiti's title defence began in emphatic fashion on the opening matchday, with an 18-1 victory over Vanuatu - Heirauarii Salem laying down the gauntlet with seven goals. The Tiki Toa went on to win all three group-stage matches and qualify for a fourth consecutive final, including a 7-4 victory over the Solomon Islands in what proved to be the most competitive encounter of the group stage.
The Bilikiki ensured there would be a rematch in the final, defeating New Caledonia 10-5 and Vanuatu 7-2 to finish second in the standings. Final The captains and officials gather before the OFC Beach Soccer Men's Nations Cup 2026 final.
Meeting in the final for the fourth consecutive edition and the fifth time overall, the Solomon Islands made a promising start through Max Fa'ari, who opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Tahiti responded to establish a 3-1 advantage, but two goals from the Bilikiki brought the contest level heading into the final period.
Rainui Tze-Yu scored the decisive goal in the 34th minute, beating James Do'oro with a header to seal a dramatic 4-3 victory for the Tiki Toa and spark emotional celebrations in front of their home crowd. The champions: Tahiti Tahiti celebrate after winning a record fifth continental crown.
The Tiki Toa became the most successful nation in OFC Beach Soccer Men's Nations Cup history, surpassing the Solomon Islands with their fifth continental title on the sands of Aorai Tini Hau. The tournament hosts were dominant throughout, but had to overcome two stern tests against the Bilikiki to retain their crown, scoring 41 goals and conceding just 11 across their four matches.
Tahiti will represent OFC at FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2027™, marking their ninth consecutive appearance at the global finals. Moments of the tournament Tze-Yu's winning header Tahiti celebrate the winning goal.
OFC Beach Soccer Men's Nations Cup 2026, Final, Tahiti v Solomon Islands, Aorai Tini Hau, Papeete, Tahiti, Saturday 31 October 2026. nz The defining moment of the tournament arrived with just two minutes remaining in the final, as Rainui Tze-Yu rose to head home the winning goal against the Solomon Islands.