As the OFC Pro League prepares to get underway in Auckland, new names will announce themselves, and old ones will reaffirm their credentials on the continental stage, welcoming in a new professional era for Oceania.
The opening round will feature 12 fixtures across six match days at Eden Park and North Harbour Stadium respectively, with each club playing three games
We've picked out one player from all eight clubs to watch out for across the opening round – all capable of lighting up the inaugural OFC Pro League.
Roy Krishna | Bula FC
Age: 38
Position: Forward
The marquee man of the inaugural OFC Pro League, Roy Krishna will mark his return to club football in the Oceania region during the first round in Auckland.
Krishna previously spent a decade of his playing career in New Zealand, including professionally with the Wellington Phoenix in the Australia A-League, whom he remains their all-time leading goalscorer. He’s also won six New Zealand National League titles during stints with Waitakere United and Auckland City FC respectively.
Now the 38-year-old returns after five years away in the Indian Super League, and 18 years after originally leaving Labasa FC in Fiji. Krishna is also his nation’s all-time top scorer with 44 goals and the most-capped player with 60 appearances.
Raphael Lea’i | Solomon Kings FC
Age: 22
Position: Forward
Touted as one of the most promising football players in the Solomon Islands, Raphael Lea’i was the first of his countrymen to sign a professional contract in Europe when he joined Velez Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina in 2023.
He spent a year at the club, before relocating to Australia to play for Adelaide City and the Wollongon Wolves in the NPL, and now makes his return to the Solomon Islands with their first professional club after three years away.
The 22-year-old attacker has already scored 12 goals and collected 24 caps for his country, also winning the Golden Boot at the 2018 OFC U-16 Men’s Championship with eight goals.
Isa Prins | Auckland FC
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
Making the move north from Wellington, Isa Prins shapes as an exciting young talent for Auckland FC during the inaugural OFC Pro League.
It comes off the back of a breakthrough domestic season, including a man of the match performance in New Zealand’s Chatham Cup final, where he scored once and bagged two assists in Wellington Olympic’s triumph.
Prins also won New Zealand's Central League with Olympic in 2025, scoring 11 goals from 15 appearances on their way to the title.
Matt Acton | Vanuatu United FC
Age: 33
Position: Goalkeeper
Australian goalkeeper Matt Acton is one of Vanuatu United’s marquee overseas signings and has prior professional experience in the Australian A-League.
The 33-year-old is a former Australian U-20 international and has had stints with both Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory, amassing over 50 A-League appearances combined across ten seasons in the competition.
Acton has also spent time in Southeast Asia – with Yangon United in Myanmmar, and Kaya FC in the Philippines.
Erick Joe | PNG Hekari FC
Age: 30
Position: Defender
Centre-back Erick Joe is one of three Brazilian players in the PNG Hekari FC squad, joining their compatriot, coach Marcos Gusmão, for the inaugural OFC Pro League.
Joe has already spent seven years with Hekari United and was a key member of the side who reached the OFC Men’s Champions League final in 2025.
Prior to his arrival in Papua New Guinea in 2019, Joe spent five years in his home nation, including featuring for current Brazilian top-flight side EC Vitoria, and other lower-level domestic clubs.
Teaonui Tehau | Tahiti United
Age: 33
Position: Forward
Widely recognized as one of Tahiti’s most successful players, Teaonui Tehau will captain Tahiti United at the OFC Pro League.
The 33-year-old has the most international caps and goals for the Tahitian national team and has also represented his nation in beach soccer and futsal, appearing at two FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup’s in 2021 and 2024 respectively.
Tehau was also part of the Tahitian national team side that won the OFC Men’s Nations Cup in 2012 and played at the FIFA Confederations Cup the following year.
David Yoo | South Island United
Age: 26
Position: Midfielder
Raised through the youth football systems in Christchurch, David Yoo makes his return to the garden city with the South Island’s first professional football club - South Island United - for the OFC Pro League.
Yoo joins from Auckland City FC, where he played at the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, and won the OFC Men’s Champions League that same year. During his last stint in the south island, he also won the New Zealand Southern League MVP award with Christchurch United and has previously spent time in Portugal with multiple clubs.
Born in South Korea, the attacking midfielder will be one to watch for his creativity in the final third throughout the coming months.
Marco Jankovic | South Melbourne FC
Age: 30
Position: Defender
Son of former Yugoslavia international Milan Jankovic, Marco Jankovic recently captained South Melbourne FC to the 2025 Australia Championship title.
The defender joined the club in 2021 and won the Grand Final MVP award, as he marshalled the defence to a 2-0 win over Marconi Stallions.
Jankovic has over 100 appearances for South Melbourne FC, and coming off the back of a breakthrough season, will be eager to prove himself against international opposition in the OFC Pro League.