Football is flourishing in the in the Solomon Islands, with the women’s game one of the main growth areas, and FIFA’s support has been a key factor in that, according to the President of the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF), Donald Marahare. The FIFA Forward Programme has contributed to the renovation of a stadium and the establishment of a National Academy; Football for Schools (F4S) has made football more accessible to children, and the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) is helping talented young players fulfil their potential. The first Solomon Islands national women’s football league was established in 2020, subsequently growing from eight to 10 teams, and has proved to be a solid foundation for the growth of the game. Since then, results for the women’s national team have improved significantly. After finishing third in the OFC Women’s Nations Cup in 2022, they produced an outstanding display to win the tournament for the first time in July 2025, beating holders Papua New Guinea 3-2 after extra time in the final.

The victory, widely celebrated across the archipelago, propelled the team to a record high of 73rd in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking. “FIFA’s development work has allowed women’s football in the country to grow rapidly in popularity,” said Marahare. He mentioned that the Solomon Islands also finished as runners-up in the Oceania qualifiers for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024. “Three main FIFA programmes have aided this growth: the Women’s Football Development Programme, the Covid-19 Relief Plan and the FIFA Forward Development Programme which will ensure the women’s game continues to thrive in the Solomon Islands.”

FIFA’s support has been visible elsewhere. FIFA Forward has funded gym equipment, the IT system and other equipment at the new SIFF headquarters, which features two full-sized football pitches, one futsal pitch, two beach soccer pitches and an academy. It is one of the Pacific region’s single biggest government-funded football projects and has been built with significant collaboration from the SIFF. FIFA President Gianni Infantino saw it for himself when he became the first FIFA President to visit the country in August 2023.

As with many of Member Associations (MAs), FIFA has provided support so that the national teams can participated in more competitions – a challenge in a region where travel is difficult and expenses. A SIFF National Academy has also been established while the renovation of the JFK Stadium, in the Western Province on Ghizo Island, is also receiving FIFA Forward support. “FIFA's support has made a significant contribution to the growth of football in the Solomon Islands. With the support of FIFA Forward and the TDS programme, we've established our National Academy,” said Marahare.

“FIFA Forward funding allowed us to fit out our facilities to ensure they are safe and fit for purpose. FIFA Forward has also supported our national teams and the renovation of JFK Stadium. The FIFA Football for Schools programme has made football more accessible to children across the country; providing a nurturing environment for more children to learn and grow.” An estimated 3,600 children have benefitted since Football for Schools was implemented in 2024, with 32 educators trained by FIFA and 120 footballs distributed. Talented players are being given a better chance to fulfil their potential as the SIFF has also joined the FIFA Talent Development Scheme.

In 2024, TDS funding supported the operation of the residential National Academy for U-15 and U-16 boys, covering accommodation, meals, transport, education, safeguarding, equipment and other day-to-day needs. This funding continued in 2025 with 40 boys in the U-15 and U-16 age groups, half of them residing at the Academy and the other half living locally. “With FIFA's support, we are investing in infrastructure and providing opportunities at all levels of the game in Solomon Islands,” Marahare concluded.