From Fiji to Latvia - are cross-border football leagues the future?

Auckland FC topped the A-League in 2025 but, because Australia compete in the Asian Football Confederation and New Zealand in the Oceania Football Confederation, had to pass up a spot in the AFC Champions League Elite

Eight clubs, seven countries and an opportunity to face the world's best for the winner.

A trailblazing new competition kicks off in Oceania this weekend - but could a similar cross-border league follow in Europe?

The OFC Professional League contains two clubs from New Zealand and one each from Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu.

It will be the first professional league in Oceania since Australia switched to the Asian Football Confederation in 2006, meaning the winners will qualify for Fifa's annual Intercontinental Cup - pitting the champions of each confederation together - and the expanded Club World Cup.