Despite it only being the first month of the year Floorball has been busy in the Asia-Oceania region with two qualification events back to back for both the Women’s U19 WFC 2026 in Italy and the Men’s WFC 2026 in Finland.
Women’s U19 WFC 2026 AOFC Qualifications in Mandurah, Australia
We began down under, in Mandurah, Western Australia where 4 nations all competed for 3 spots at the U19 WFC 2026. Hosts Australia, Japan, New Zealand & Singapore. Japan had never before participated in a Women’s WFC and these qualifications were a golden chance for them to make history.
With the home crowd backing Australia started off strong with a tight 3-2 win over Japan before Singapore destroyed New Zealand to set up both countries perfectly for their encounter on day 2. A thrilling match between the two ended all level despite a last second shot off the post from Australia which meant whoever lost between Japan and New Zealand on day 2 was officially eliminated from qualifying for the U19 WFC 2026. Despite some positive chances and keeping it close through 2 periods New Zealand couldn’t keep up with the Japanese attack as they blew past the Kiwis and alongside Australia and Singapore, booked their place in the final round in May, in Italy. Day 3 was a chance for other players to make their mark as Australia had 8 different goalscorers in a win against New Zealand and 3 teams had a chance to rotate their goalkeepers. Japan finished their qualification campaign on form with a strong 7-2 win over Singapore with Yua Kamada setting herself on top of the points table with 12 points in only 3 matches at these qualifications.
It finished with Australia, Japan and Singapore all qualifying for the U19 WFC 2026.
Men’s WFC 2026 AOFC Qualifications in Wellington, New Zealand
Immediately after the U19 qualifications in Australia we headed to (not so close) neighbours New Zealand for the Men’s WFC AOFC Qualifications for the final round in Tampere, Finland this December, 2026. One of the biggest AOFC events ever in terms of participating nations with 10 countries all taking part in Wellington. Singapore, Philippines, New Zealand, China, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Japan, Australia, Korea & Hong Kong, China all took part 7 days of nonstop action at the Akau Tangi Sports Center, in Wellington.
It was an grueling schedule for all teams involved with 7 days of competition meaning some teams having to play 5 matches in 5 days (and Japan 6 matches in 6 days!) The group stages showed a mix of tough, tight results and big blowout wins with the pre event favourites proving their worth and finishing up near the top of the table. With only the group winners qualifying straight away it was Singapore and Thailand who had the reward of an extra day of rest by winning their group with both teams finishing the group stages on 3 wins and a draw and therefore booking their ticket to Tampere early! Hard fought matches left Philippines facing off against Australia and Japan against New Zealand in the playoffs for one final chance to qualify. Philippines took the first deciding playoff match against Australia and despite having the smallest squad at the AOFC Qualifications (13 players) they managed to outscore almost every other team with their two superstar forwards Kim Varga & Melvin Mendoza making the top 2 highest points scorers list, with Varga hitting an astounding 36 points in 6 matches, with 25 of them being goals. Australia who entered this qualification event with only 1 European based player couldn’t quite hit the scoring sheets as in previous events and as a result failed to qualify for the Men’s World Championships for the first time since 2012 (they missed 2021 due to COVID travel restrictions). The other decisive quarter-final saw Japan face off against hosts New Zealand in front of a loud Kiwi crowd. Despite the energy brought from the fans, New Zealand could only keep up with Japan for 40 minutes before the Japanese pulled away in the third period with goalkeeper Reia Nagata holding strong with a 85% save percentage in the crucial game, helping Japan to a 7-3 win and a return to the Men’s World Floorball Championships for the first time since 2018.
The final day was for placement matches as Australia faced off against arch AOFC rivals New Zealand and managed to leave the qualifications with a final victory and 5th place. Philippines were looking to stay undefeated but couldn’t handle the energy of Japan who won narrowly 5-4 to finish 3rd in the qualifications. The final was between two well rested group winners in Singapore and Thailand. Singapore were looking to dethrone the kings of the AOFC region, Thailand who fresh off their recent SEA Games victory at home in Chonburi, were aiming to further stake their claim as the very best in the Asia-Oceania region. For two periods it looked like a very close, tense matchup with both sides creating chances and both goalkeepers keeping things level. Despite leading going into the 3rd period the defensive wall for Singapore eventually broke down and collapsed completely as 5 unanswered Thai goals shocked the Singaporeans and made a too large mountain for them to climb up. The Thai offence clicking at the crucial time to supplement their once again incredible defence not just in the game, but all tournament long as they finished with the least goals conceded of any time and their number 1 goalie Yotsaphong Chaiphring on top of the goalie statistics with an 89% save percentage and only 9 goals allowed in 4 starts. Thailand finishing with a 5-1 win over Singapore and claiming first place in these AOFC qualifications.
At the end of an amazing 7 days of action in Wellington it was Thailand, Singapore, Japan & Philippines booking their tickets to the Men’s World Floorball Championships 2026 in Tampere, Finland at the end of the year. A special shoutout also to the Solomon Islands and Hong Kong, China who took part in their first ever competitive international fixtures with Solomon Islands also picking up their first ever international victory since entering the IFF as a member! Both teams will also feature at the 3v3 WFC later on in the year in Spain which should be a festival of Floorball!
