Oceania Cup

The Oceania Cup is the main national football (soccer) competition of the Oceanian nations. It is held every two years since 1996; before 1996 there were two other tournaments at irregular intervals. Participating nations are Australia, New Zealand and insular states from Polynesia and Melanesia. The latter have to qualify in a preliminary tournament.

A very large gulf separates Australia and New Zealand from the small, poorly-resourced island competitors. The tournament is paid little attention by the rest of the football world. Australia's top players, based in Europe, are generally not even selected on the basis that they would refuse to play in what they regard as a meaningless event - allowing New Zealand to embarrass its larger neighbour on a regular basis.

Winners

• 2002 New Zealand
• 2000 Australia
• 1998 New Zealand
• 1996 Australia
• 1980 Australia
• 1973 New Zealand

Hosts

• 2002 New Zealand
• 2000 Tahiti
• 1998 Australia
• 1996 (no host)
• 1980 New Caledonia
• 1973 New Zealand