Vanuatu United FC will play its first official matches on home soil when it hosts Isuzu UTE A-League Men club Central Coast Mariners in the 2026 PacificAus Sports Challenge.
Supported by the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports program, the two-match series will take place at Freshwater Stadium in Port Vila on Wednesday, 9 September and Saturday, 12 September 2026, with both matches kicking off at 3:00pm local time.
The matches will represent a landmark moment for Vanuatu United, one of the eight foundation clubs of the OFC Pro League, providing local supporters with their first opportunity to watch the club play at home.
The series will provide Vanuatu United with high-quality international club opposition while giving the Mariners two valuable matches as part of their preparations for the upcoming A-League Men season.
The visit will also include a program of community engagement and football development activities involving the travelling Mariners delegation and members of the local football community. Further details of these activities will be announced closer to the series.
The 2026 PacificAus Sports Challenge is being delivered through collaboration between the Australian Government, Football Australia, the Vanuatu Football Federation, Vanuatu United FC and Central Coast Mariners.
The series builds on visits to Port Vila by Australia’s U-17 and U-23 Men’s National Teams in 2024, further strengthening the football partnership between the two countries and highlighting the game’s platform for deepening bilateral and people-to-people ties.
Quotes attributable to Albert Manaroto, Vanuatu Football Federation General Secretary:
"On behalf of the Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) and the entire football family of Vanuatu, we formally acknowledge and express our profound gratitude to Football Australia, PacificAus Sports, and the Australian High Commission in Vanuatu for their invaluable assistance and collaborative efforts in facilitating the upcoming friendly matches.
"Specifically, we appreciate the agreement to host fixtures between Central Coast Mariners and Vanuatu United FC. These opportunities are invaluable in providing our players and technical staff with a high-level football experience that is critical to the continued development and professional growth of the sport in Vanuatu.
"The support extended by the Australian High Commission has been instrumental in ensuring the smooth coordination and success of this initiative, and we are deeply thankful for their continued commitment to strengthening football ties between our two nations.
"We welcome this initiative as a significant step forward in fostering stronger sporting relationships and look forward to a successful and competitive series."
Quote attributable to Matt Simon, Central Coast Mariners FC Sporting Director:
“We’re excited to be travelling to Vanuatu and to be part of what will be a significant moment for Vanuatu United as they play their first official matches at home.
“From a football perspective, these matches will provide our squad with valuable preparation as we build towards the A-League season, but this trip is about much more than what happens on the pitch.
“The Mariners believe football brings communities together, and we’re looking forward to spending time in Port Vila, connecting with the local football community and hopefully creating some lasting memories for young players and supporters.
“We’re grateful to the Australian Government, Football Australia, the Vanuatu Football Federation and Vanuatu United for providing this opportunity, and we’re proud to play a small part in continuing to strengthen the football connection between Australia, in particular, the Central Coast and Vanuatu.”
Quote attributable to Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Max Willis:
“This is an historic occasion for Vanuatu United FC and for football fans across Vanuatu, who will have the opportunity to see their team play official matches at home for the first time,” Mr Willis said.
“Australia is very glad to support opportunities that bring people together, inspire young athletes and strengthen the close ties between our two countries.”
“These matches build on the growing football partnership between Vanuatu and Australia. Football fosters friendships, inclusion and people-to-people links that endure well beyond the final whistle.”
Quote attributable to Martin Kugeler, Football Australia CEO:
“Football Australia, alongside the Australian Government, is committed to supporting the establishment and growth of professional football throughout Oceania and the Pacific.
“The PacificAus Sports Challenge represents a wonderful homecoming for Vanuatu United, and we are proud to help bring this international football experience directly to their passionate fans on home soil, against an A-League club in the Central Coast Mariners which has a strong connection to Vanuatu.”
Further details regarding the squad selection, ticketing information, broadcast arrangements and community engagement activities will be shared ahead of the tour.
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high performance coaching in Australia and internationally. The program partners with Australian national sports organisations to support a range of Pacific sports, with funding split evenly between women and men.
MATCH SCHEDULE – PACIFICAUS SPORTS CHALLENGE 2026
Match One
Date: Wednesday, 9 September
Kick-off: 3:00pm local
Teams: Vanuatu United FC v Central Coast Mariners FC
Venue: Freshwater Stadium, Port Vila, Vanuatu
Match Two
Date: Saturday, 12 September
Kick-off: 3:00pm local
Teams: Vanuatu United FC v Central Coast Mariners FC
Venue: Freshwater Stadium, Port Vila, Vanuatu
