MIAMI (AP) — FIFA World Cup winner Christian Karembeu, now technical director at Olympiacos, has voiced strong support for the upcoming OFC Professional League, describing it as “a revolution for our region” and a pivotal step in closing the gap between Oceania and the global football elite.
Karembeu, born in New Caledonia and celebrated for lifting the 1998 World Cup with France and UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid, praised Auckland City’s impressive display in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup—highlighting their 1–1 draw with Boca Juniors as proof of amateur clubs’ potential. Still, he stressed that only a professional league could forge sustained progress.
“The new Pro League will be a revolution for our region,” Karembeu said, emphasizing that “a professional league brings responsibility, structure and higher standards.”
He pointed to the success of Pacific athletes in rugby—like those in the All Blacks system—and argued that a similar model of disciplined, professional infrastructure could transform raw football talent across Oceania.
Karembeu explained that professionalization goes beyond player ability—it extends to coaching, staffing, and club operations. He urged federations to prepare technical staff, human resources, accommodation logistics, and player education in routines around training, recovery and lifestyle management.
He added that athletes from Pacific Islands enter the game with warrior-like mentalities and humility—traits that will serve them well in professional setups.
The OFC Professional League, scheduled to commence in January 2026, will feature eight senior clubs from across the Pacific and include provisions like VAR. It aims to elevate Oceania’s representative side in global competitions such as the Club World Cup and Intercontinental Cup.
Karembeu commended Auckland City’s participation in the Club World Cup—especially their draw with Boca Juniors—as a sign of what disciplined amateur clubs could achieve and a benchmark of future professional performance.
