The Fiji Football Association will reward each member of the Bula Boys playing squad and team officials with $1,000 following Fiji’s historic triumph at the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup.
Fiji FA President Rajesh Patel confirmed the incentive following the Bula Boys’ 1-0 victory over defending champions Vanuatu in the final at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Thomas Dunn scored the decisive goal in the 10th minute as Fiji lifted the regional crown for the first time since 2000 and claimed its first title since the competition was revived as the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup.
Patel said the $1,000 reward for each player and official was Fiji FA’s way of recognising the commitment, sacrifice and pride shown by the national team throughout the tournament.
“This is a proud and historic achievement for Fiji football. On behalf of the Fiji Football Association, I congratulate our players, coaching staff and officials for the tremendous effort they put in to bring this trophy home,” Patel said.
“Fiji FA will reward each player and official with $1,000 as a token of our appreciation for their hard work and commitment to the national team.
“They represented our country with pride and showed great character throughout the tournament. Winning a championship like this is never easy, and they deserve to be recognised for what they have achieved.”
The victory added another chapter to Fiji’s proud history in Melanesian football.
The competition was originally known as the Melanesia Cup, first staged in 1988. Fiji won the inaugural tournament and went on to dominate the competition, claiming titles in 1988, 1989, 1992, 1998 and 2000.
The regional competition was later revived in 2022 as the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup.
Fiji did not compete in the 2023 edition before returning in 2024 and reaching the final, where Papua New Guinea claimed the title.
This year’s success therefore ended a 26-year wait for regional honours for Fiji and gave the country its first championship under the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup name.
With the five Melanesia Cup titles and the 2026 triumph, Fiji now has six regional titles across the competition’s history.
Patel said the achievement was particularly significant because it was secured on home soil.
“For many years Fiji enjoyed a proud record in the Melanesia Cup, and some of the great names of Fiji football represented our country in this competition,” Patel said.
“To see this generation of Bula Boys bring the trophy back to Fiji after 26 years is something special.
“This victory is not only for the players and Fiji FA. It is for every Fijian football fan who has continued to believe in and support our national team.”
Patel also acknowledged Bula Boys head coach Stephane Auvray and his technical team for their work in developing the squad and providing opportunities to a new generation of national team players.
He said the championship was an encouraging step as Fiji continued building towards future international competitions and the next FIFA World Cup qualifying cycle.
“We are proud of this achievement, but we must continue working. We have a young group with a lot of potential, and this victory should give them confidence and motivation to keep improving,” Patel said.
“We also thank all the supporters who came to HFC Bank Stadium and stood behind the Bula Boys. The atmosphere and support from our fans played an important part in this historic achievement.”
Fiji’s championship campaign was capped by individual honours, with Dunn named the Men’s Golden Ball winner while goalkeeper Isikeli Sevanaia Junior received the Men’s Golden Glove award.
