While New Caledonia’s men’s team prepare to compete in the FIFA Play-off Tournament in March, their female counterparts open their qualifying campaign for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™ later this week. This is an exciting milestone for a highly ambitious squad, keen to build on the island nation’s recent success at international level and write their own chapter in the history books.
Le Mans defender Marie-Laure Palene, 24, will be a leading figure in this youthful, newly formed group, having arrived in mainland France six years ago. After taking advice from her cousin Georges Gope-Fenepej, also a Kanak international, she left home in 2020 and has worked her way up through the ranks. The New Caledonian now dreams of playing in the Women’s World Cup, with her sights set on the 2027 tournament in Brazil, a country where football reigns supreme.
Drawn in Group B, alongside hosts Fiji, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, a top two finish would secure the side passage through to April’s decisive third round. There, the OFC’s lone direct qualification spot for the global showpiece will be settled, with an additional berth potentially on offer via the Play-Off Tournament.
Everything you need to know about OFC qualifying
Marie-Laure Palene: We’re honoured to be competing in the qualifiers for this major competition. Our training camp began on 16 February in New Caledonia, and the girls are working hard to get themselves in the best possible shape. As for me, I won’t be joining the group until the 23rd in Fiji, as my club, Le Mans FC, still have matches to play.
This is the first opportunity for the senior team to qualify for a World Cup. Football in New Caledonia is on the rise. We’ve been keeping an eye on the U-20 women’s team, which qualified for the World Cup in Poland. I’m so happy for them. When I was their age, I’d have loved to qualify for an event like that, but now another opportunity has presented itself. It’s time to create a new chapter in the history of the women’s national team by qualifying for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Plus, it’s not just anywhere, it’s taking place in a huge footballing nation, so playing in the World Cup in Brazil would be a dream opportunity.
We’re aiming to finish first or second in the group so we can compete in the knockout phase in April. We know these teams pretty well because we usually play them at the Pacific Games. After playing against each team a few times, you start to understand their strengths and weaknesses.
Watch OFC qualifiers on FIFA+
This is a very young team, which is one of our strengths because young players bring something different and enjoy pushing themselves. Another important factor is that people from New Caledonia are very feisty, or rather, combative. We’re a nation of warriors who always support each other, so our team has what it takes mentally. We don’t take part in many competitions, but when we do, we make our presence felt.
I’ve always had two role models throughout my career: N’Golo Kante and Marta. It goes without saying that if we manage to qualify and get to play Brazil, it would be incredible.
Another huge inspiration for me when I was younger was my cousin, Georges Gope-Fenepej. Thanks to him, I left the island to play in mainland France, as he was playing for Le Mans FC at the time and convinced me to join him. He put me in touch with several clubs, but having a friendly face to greet me when I arrived was a huge help.
