Tonga has secured a place in the final match of Round One in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Oceania Qualifiers after defeating Cook Islands 3-1 in Apia.
Captain Hemaloto Polovili led his team with a commanding performance, assisting the opening goal and scoring the second to advance Tonga into Monday’s final.
Polovili’s sublime through ball in the 27th minute set up Viliami Tikoipau, who calmly slotted the ball past Cook Islands’ goalkeeper Ngereine Maro. Minutes later, Polovili converted a penalty after Ulafala Sonasi was brought down in the box, doubling Tonga’s lead.
Cook Islands, desperate to stay in the contest, found a way back in the second half when Taci Kumsuz took advantage of a defensive lapse and scored from the edge of the box. However, Tonga weathered the pressure and substitute Christopher Kefu sealed the match with a third goal, despite injuring himself in the process.
Tonga will now face the winner of the American Samoa vs. Samoa match in the final, with the victor moving on to the group stages of Round Two next month.
