American Samoa vs Samoa Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (OFC) | Preliminary Round
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We have a Samoan derby down in the Pacific as American Samoa take on Samoa in one of the semi-finals in the Oceanian preliminary round of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification for the final spot in the second round group stages alongside the likes of New Zealand.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Friday 6th September, 2024 - UK – 3:00am / Thursday 5th September, 2024 - US ET – 10:00pm / US PT – 7:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – FIFA+ / US – FIFA+
AMERICAN SAMOA PREVIEW: FIRST GAME THIS YEAR
American Samoa are embarking upon their first fixture since losing 6-2 to Tonga in the 2023 Pacific Games last year. That tournament is a good representation and reflection of where American Samoa are in terms of quality.
In their four matches at that competition, American Samoa suffered four successive defeats and conceded 31 goals with two goals scored in those matches. They have moved up to 187th in the FIFA World Rankings, though.
SAMOA PREVIEW: SAMOANS EXPECTANT
Under the management of Northern Irishman Ryan Stewart, Samoa themselves are actually currently ranked 192nd in the world. They had a positive start to 2024 by qualifying for the OFC Nations Cup.
They did so with victories against Tonga and Cook Islands but then suffered three successive defeats in the group stages of the competition over the summer, conceding 13 goals and scoring two against Tahiti, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
AMERICAN SAMOA TEAM NEWS: THE IMPORTANCE OF ROY LEDOUX
It is difficult to become an experienced player for American Samoa but 25-year-old captain Roy Ledoux is the closest they have and they will rely on his presence to avoid a hammering.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Atu; Kaleopa, Collins, Scanlan; Ledoux, Taga’i, Samuelu, Lealuga; Silao, Vaitoelau; Pouli
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
SAMOA TEAM NEWS: SOME INCREASED PEDIGREE
It is unusual for any Oceanian side to have some pedigree within their squad but they do have some attackers with Pharrell Trainor at TSV Schott Mainz and Kyah Cahill at Lusail.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Taupau; Wilson, Chote, Steinmetz, Setefano; Tolo Kent, Salisbury; Cahill, Mariner, Vaai; Trainor
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
AMERICAN SAMOA VS SAMOA PREDICTION
Whilst there would generally be a fair expectation that all matches between the weaker sides in Oceania would be quite low-scoring and relatively tight, this is not one of those occasions. American Samoa have improved but remain one of the weakest teams in world football. Samoa are unlikely to fare too well if they progress to the next round but they should still win this one quite comfortably in order to set up a final against either Cook Islands and Tonga.
AMERICAN SAMOA VS SAMOA TIP: SAMOA TO WIN -1 HANDICAP
