Pacific Games 2023/24

Football is a quadrennial tournament for national teams from the Pacific region, governed by the Pacific Games Council. The event was first held in 1963 in Suva, Fiji, and was renamed the Pacific Games in 2007 following the Apia edition in Samoa. It is distinct from club competitions such as the OFC Champions League. The tournament features both men's and women's competitions, though the structure has evolved over time. The men's tournament originally served as an Olympic qualifier for the 2015 and 2019 cycles, but since 2023, Olympic qualification has been separated into a standalone tournament. This change coincides with football becoming a core sport for the Games in 2017, making it a mandatory inclusion. The men's competition has frequently utilized Under-23 age restrictions, particularly during its time as an Olympic qualifier. The format typically involves a group stage followed by knockout rounds. The number of participating teams varies by edition; the 2023 men's tournament featured 12 teams in four groups, while the women's tournament had 10 teams in three groups. New Caledonia is the most successful nation in the men's competition with eight titles, followed by Tahiti with five. Papua New Guinea dominates the women's tournament with six titles. The women's tournament was introduced in 2003 in Suva, Fiji, and has generally been open to senior national teams. Notable records include Vanuatu's 46–0 victory over the Federated States of Micronesia in 2015, one of the largest margins in international football history. The competition is organized by the Pacific Games Council, which was established by the South Pacific Commission, now the Pacific Community, in 1962. The event includes teams from nations such as New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Tahiti, Samoa, and Vanuatu.