New era for football as Solomon Kings join OFC Pro League

By Crofton Utukana

The Solomon Kings, representing the Solomon Islands in the upcoming OFC Pro League, are set to announce their official squad and head coach ahead of the region’s first-ever professional football competition, set to kick off in January 2026.

This follows the soft launch of the OFC Pro League held last Wednesday in Auckland, New Zealand. The Solomon Kings have partnered with Australian club Wynnum Wolves FC to prepare for the historic competition.

Wynnum Wolves President and Solomon Kings Deputy Chairman, Rabieh Krayem, stated that they have spent the past six months carefully identifying players for the Solomon Kings squad.

“Now that we know more details about the OFC Pro League, we are starting to make formal offers to players to begin building the squad,” Mr. Krayem said.

He added that the head coach for the Solomon Kings will also be announced soon.

“Everyone is excited about this league, there’s a lot of excitement within the national team, the federation, the technical staff, and the players. This competition will open up tremendous opportunities for key players in the Solomon Islands,” he said.

Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Technical Director Moses Toata described the introduction of the OFC Pro League as a major milestone for the nation’s football development.

“People are excited to hear that the OFC Professional League is coming,” Mr. Toata said. “It’s a real opportunity for everyone, players, coaches, and administrators alike.”

He said the league will also provide a platform for local coaches to work alongside professional counterparts, strengthening coaching capacity in the Solomon Islands.

“For players, this is a huge opportunity, it marks a new chapter for them,” Mr. Toata added.

Mr. Toata also said in the past, SIFF created opportunities by sending players overseas to gain professional experience, but the new league will bring that environment home.

“But now, it’s coming home. We can create that professional environment right here in our own country,” he said.

He confirmed that the Solomon Kings’ squad will consist mostly of national team players.

“We’ve already had discussions with some of the key players we want in the team. This will also help strengthen the national team if these players perform well in the professional league,” he explained.

Mr. Toata also stressed the importance of the partnership with Wynnum Wolves FC, describing it as a crucial step in the club’s professional growth.

“The partnership with Wynnum Wolves is very important given their experience and strong establishment in professional football,” he said.

The OFC Pro League is the Oceania Football Confederation’s first professional club competition, designed to raise the standard of football across the region and provide players, coaches, and clubs with a clear pathway to professional football.

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