Nukuhetulu FC, a Tongan football club, is set to make its continental debut in the OFC Men’s Champions League 2026 – Qualifying, taking place this weekend in Apia, Samoa. This marks a significant moment in the club’s history, as they become only the third Tongan team to compete at this prestigious level, following Lotoha’apai United and Veitongo FC, who have represented Tonga since 1999.
Head coach Lafaele Moala, a former Tongan international and veteran of Lotoha’apai United, has expressed the team’s strong determination to succeed. “We might be a new team, and the new kids on the block, but we are in this competition to win,” he stated. Moala, who led Nukuhetulu FC to victory in both the Tonga Major League and Challenge Cup in 2025, aims to exceed the achievements of previous Tongan clubs in the tournament.
The team is filled with enthusiasm as they prepare to face off against champion clubs from across the Pacific. Moala emphasized the importance of this opportunity, noting that it signals a broader potential for growth in Tongan football. “It means a lot to us to compete on the continental stage, and it shows to other clubs that nothing is impossible,” he remarked. This determination to succeed is rooted in their goal of winning the qualifying round in hopes of securing a place in the final tournament to be held in Fiji in August—a goal that has eluded previous Tongan clubs.
The qualifying matches will take place from January 31 to February 6 at Samoa Football HQ. Nukuhetulu FC will kick off their campaign against Tupapa Maraerenga FC from the Cook Islands, followed by fixtures against Pago Youth FC from American Samoa and the host club, Vaivase-Tai FC from Samoa. The team will face the challenge of navigating three games in one week, a rigorous test of their resilience and skills.
This inaugural continental journey signifies a crucial turning point for Nukuhetulu FC and underscores a promising future for Tongan football on the international stage. As they embark on this adventure, the club hopes to inspire other Tongan teams to aspire for similar accomplishments and elevate the profile of football in the Pacific region.