MSG Prime Minister’s Cup opens with dramatic results in Fiji

The 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup has commenced at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, Fiji, featuring competition between Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and New Caledonia.

In the opening matches, Papua New Guinea secured a 2-1 victory over Vanuatu, with Ezekiel Vela scoring the winning goal in the 87th minute. The match included a minute of silence for former Vanuatu player Ricky Tari.

In a high-scoring encounter, Fiji and the Solomon Islands played to a 3-3 draw. Fiji’s Tevita Waranivalu received a red card in the 72nd minute, leaving Fiji with 10 men. Despite the disadvantage, Fiji held a 3-1 lead until late goals from Jayroll Patti and Javin Wae allowed the Solomon Islands to equalize in injury time.

The tournament serves as a regional championship and a developmental platform for teams aiming toward 2030 FIFA World Cup qualification.