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New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea will battle for three points in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification game on Thursday (October 10th). New Caledonia have not been in action since claiming a penalty shootout victory over Solomon Islands in the final of the Pacific Games in December 2023.
They took a 2-1 lead into the break while Solomon equalized in the second half. Les Cagous eventually triumphed with a 7-6 victory in the shootout.
Papua New Guinea, meanwhile, were last in action when they claimed a 2-1 victory over Samoa in the OFC Nations Cup in June 2024. Tommy Semmy broke the deadlock in the 28th minute while Ati Kepo doubled their lead two minutes into the second half. Pharrell Trainor halved the deficit midway through the second half but neither side advanced from the group.
The Cuscus will begin their quest to qualify for the FIFA World Cup here. They have been drawn alongside Fiji, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia in Group A. The top two will advance to the next round of the qualifiers while the bottom two get eliminated.
New Caledonia vs Papua New Guinea Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two sides have clashed on 18 occasions in the past. New Caledonia were victorious on 12 occasions, two games were drawn while Papua New Guinea were victorious four times.
- Their most recent clash came in October 2023 when New Caledonia claimed a 3-1 victory.
- Six of New Caledonia's last eight games have produced three goals or more.
- Papua New Guinea's victory over Samoa ended their 11-game winless run (excluding the awarded victories against Tuvalu and Cook Islands).
- New Caledonia have won their last four games on the bounce.
- New Caledonia form guide: W-W-W-W-L Papua New Guinea form guide: W-D-L-L-D
New Caledonia vs Papua New Guinea Prediction
New Caledonia are the more in-form side and will be hoping to claim maximum points in this game. Neither of the two sides have ever made it to the World Cup and a win here would boost their chances of success.
Papua New Guinea will be hoping to build on their most recent victory as they seek to qualify for their maiden World Cup.
We are backng New Caledonia to to claim maximum points with goals at both ends.
Prediction: New Caledonia 2-1 Papua New Guinea
New Caledonia vs Papua New Guinea Betting Tips
Tip 1 - New Caledonia to win
Tip 2 - Both teams to score
Tip 3 - Over 2.5 goals
