In a historic moment for Vanuatu football, the Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) has been awarded FIFA’s first-ever Forward Gold Award for Oceania. The award was presented by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to VFF President and FIFA Vice President Lambert Maltock during the FIFA Executive Football Summit 2025 in Miami, USA.

So, What Exactly Is This Award?

The FIFA Forward Awards were launched in 2023 to recognise national football federations (known as Member Associations or MAs) for how well they use FIFA development funds. These awards celebrate countries that don’t just talk about development—but actually deliver it.

At first, the awards only included European countries. But in 2025, FIFA extended them to Asia and Oceania, and guess who rose to the top?

Vanuatu.

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Why Did Vanuatu Win?

The award was given for the Freshwater Stadium—a groundbreaking achievement for our country. Here’s why it stood out:

• It is Vanuatu’s first fully accessible stadium, meaning it’s designed for everyone—including people living with disabilities.
• The pitch uses natural grass, a standard for international matches.
• It’s solar-powered, reflecting Vanuatu’s push for sustainability.
• It has floodlights so matches can be played at night.
• And most importantly—it’s already hosting international and regional matches, raising the level of football here at home.

This stadium was made possible thanks to USD 4.15 million from the FIFA Forward programme, a global initiative supporting football development in over 200 countries. Vanuatu was recognised not only for building a stadium, but also because the funds were used transparently and effectively—demonstrating good governance, accountability, and local impact.

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Who Else Won?

Vanuatu wasn’t alone on the winners’ list. Other countries recognised include:

• Indonesia (Gold Award – Asia): For building a national training centre with full facilities for future national team players.
• Bhutan (Silver): For building four artificial pitches in tough terrain.
• New Zealand (Silver): For a fully inclusive turf hub in Dunedin.
• Fiji and Malaysia (Bronze): For investing in youth development and futsal infrastructure.
• Netherlands and Latvia: For digital platforms and children’s football programmes.

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What Does This Mean for Vanuatu?

This award is not just a trophy — it’s a powerful recognition from the highest level of world football that:

• Vanuatu is capable of delivering real infrastructure
• Our football leaders are using funds responsibly
• We’re ready to host more regional and international events
• The world is watching—and supporting—our growth

It’s also a reminder to continue building: from grassroots to national teams, from coaching to stadium access. And for our youth? It’s proof that the future of football in Vanuatu has never looked brighter.

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Final Word

While we often celebrate wins on the pitch, this is a victory off the pitch that will shape the next generation of players, fans, and leaders. Vanuatu now joins the global conversation—not just as participants—but as leaders in football development.

Congratulations to the VFF, Lambert Maltock, and every person—local or international—who made the Freshwater Stadium dream a reality.

Let’s keep the momentum going.