Vanuatu vs Samoa Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (OFC) | Second Round
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
After reaching the OFC Nations Cup final this summer, the Vanuatu national side will be pushing to become the team that gets the Oceanian intercontinental playoff spot as they begin their qualifying campaign by facing Samoa this week.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 12th October, 2024 - UK – 11:00pm / Sunday 13th October, 2024 - US ET – 11:00pm / US PT – 8:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – FIFA+ / US – FIFA+
VANUATU PREVIEW: VANUATU’S PROMISE
The expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup that will be used at the 2026 FIFA World Cup means Oceania is guaranteed an automatic qualifier, likely to be New Zealand, but Vanuatu are one of the leading contenders to get the intercontinental playoff spot.
Over the summer, Vanuatu, as mentioned, defeated the Solomon Islands and then Fiji en route to making the final of the OFC Nations Cup, where they were eventually beaten by New Zealand by three goals to nil.
SAMOA PREVIEW: THE WEAKEST LINK
Samoa are one of the weakest four teams in the Oceanian continent and they had to come through the preliminary round of OFC qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with victories over American Samoa and Tonga.
Over the summer, they also played at the OFC Nations Cup but were knocked out in the group stages. They suffered three defeats from three with a 2-0 loss to Tahiti, 9-1 hammering at the hands of Fiji and then a 2-1 defeat to Papua New Guinea.
VANUATU TEAM NEWS: DEFENCE AND ATTACK
Vanuatu have a fully fit and available squad for this week with the real quality in their team coming with a key man at the back, captain and defender Brian Kaitak, and a key man in attack, Alex Saniel.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Iamar; Clark, Kaitak, Boulet; Kalo, Aru, Timatua, Coulon; Welwel, Spokeyjack; Saniel
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
SAMOA TEAM NEWS: A POOR SQUAD
Samoa only have a couple of players to note really, despite also having a fully fit and available squad. The likes of forward Dauntae Mariner and defender Harry Chote have the most pedigree alongside captain Andrew Setefano.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Taupau; Tolo Kent, Setefano, Chote, Salisbury; Malauulu, Knight; Viliamu, Mariner, Tumua; Vaai
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
VANUATU VS SAMOA PREDICTION
Despite Oceanian football often being quite evenly contested between relatively poor sides that are of the same or similar quality, this would be one of the more lobsided affairs this week. Vanuatu have a strong side that are expected to take the game to Samoa and, especially after their performance this summer, will also have a bit of confidence. Samoa have achieved their goal of reaching the second round of OFC qualification with Vanuatu the firm favourites for this one.
VANUATU VS SAMOA TIP: VANUATU TO WIN
