Six nations converge on Badminton North Harbour in Auckland from 13-15 February 2026 for the VICTOR Oceania Men’s Team Championships, where defending champions Australia face the challenge of protecting their title on New Zealand soil. From World Championship competitors to historic veterans making remarkable comebacks, from mentor-coaches stepping onto the court to junior bronze medalists ready to prove themselves at the senior level—this tournament promises drama at every turn.
New Zealand – Home Court Warriors:
If there’s ever a year for New Zealand to strike, it’s now. Playing on home soil at North Harbour, the Kiwis field a lineup that knows every corner of the venue, and they’re bringing championship pedigree to match.
The strength in the squad is undeniable. Dylan Soedjasa arrives as the reigning 2025 Oceania MD champion, while Edward Lau carries the momentum of his 2024 Oceania MS title and 2025 runner-up finishes in both MS and XD. Lau also made his BWF World Championships debut last August, gaining invaluable experience competing against the world’s elite. Vincent Tao adds the 2025 Oceania XD title to the arsenal, giving New Zealand three recent title holders in their squad.
The North Harbour connection runs deep. Chris Benzie and Ricky Cheng will compete in their home arena, where familiarity with conditions could prove decisive in tight matches. Rising talent Raphael Deloy, the 2025 Oceania Junior MD champion, brings youthful energy, while Jonathan Curtin and Dan McMillan round out a well-balanced roster.
Australia – Defending The Throne:
Defending a championship is never easy. Defending it with an almost entirely rebuilt roster? That’s the challenge Australia has embraced.
Only three players return from 2024’s title-winning squad: Shrey Dhand, Frederick Zhao, and Jack Yu. Zhao and Yu are the sole returners from last year’s mixed team competition as well, meaning Australia must forge new chemistry on the fly while carrying championship expectations. Yu brings additional experience from his BWF World Championships debut last August, where he competed on the sport’s biggest stage.
But the Falcons have strengthened strategically. They’ve welcomed Andika Ramadiansyah and Rizky Hidayat Ismail, both of whom recently switched allegiance to compete for Australia, adding international experience and fresh perspectives. Ephraim Stephen Sam joins the fray, completing a squad that blends continuity with calculated reinforcements.
The formula is risky: can three returning champions and the newcomers gel quickly enough to defend the title? In North Harbour, playing away from home, Australia will need every ounce of that championship DNA to repeat.
Cook Islands – Experienced Beyond Years:
The Cook Islands arrive with nothing to lose and experience that belies their youth.
Four members of the squad, Daniel Akavi, Emmanuela Mataio, Kaiyin Mataio, and Edward Patai, have already tested themselves at the BWF World Junior Championships, where competing against the world’s best accelerates development like nothing else. They’ve felt the pressure of international competition and survived.
David Piakura returns for his second VICTOR Oceania Men’s Team Championships, bringing valuable continuity and the lessons learned from his debut campaign. The wildcard is Siaosi Cowan, who will make his international debut for the Cook Islands—a young player stepping into a squad that knows what it takes to compete on this stage.
Experience without expectation makes for dangerous opponents. The Cook Islands won’t be intimidated.
Tahiti – Rising Momentum:
Tahiti enters with quiet confidence, led by the Pacific’s most impressive performer from last year’s championships.
Antoine Beaubois reached further than any other Pacific player at the 2025 Oceania Championships—a statement result that announced Tahiti as a team to watch. He’ll be joined by rising junior Mike Mi You, who earned bronze in men’s doubles at the VICTOR Oceania Junior Championships 2025, proving he can deliver when medals are on the line.
The squad gains depth from Rauhiri Goguenheim’s return to international competition after a six-year absence since 2019. That kind of experience (and hunger after time away) can be invaluable in pressure moments. Elias Maublanc brings two BWF World Junior Championships to the table, while Yann Jeandroz, who made his debut at last year’s Oceania Championships, adds another year of experience.
Tahiti has the ingredients: proven performance, emerging talent, and veterans ready to contribute. They’re not here to participate; they’re here to upset.
Northern Marianas – Bronze Medal Momentum:
Lightning rarely strikes twice, but Northern Marianas is betting on momentum carrying over from an unforgettable 2025.
Five members of the squad, Jude Mallari, Marlon Bautista, Dave Bryan Odicta, Nolan Nate, and Evan Seguritan, were part of the NMI junior team that earned a historic bronze medal at the Oceania Junior Team Championships last year. They know what it feels like to exceed expectations on the big stage, and they’re hungry to replicate that magic at the senior level.
The unique element? Ezekiel Macario and Nathan Guerrero are both national coaches who will compete alongside the athletes they’ve been developing. It’s the mentor-mentee dynamic that also defines the women’s team, creating a rare unity where tactical knowledge and on-court execution merge seamlessly.
Northern Marianas shocked the junior circuit. The seniors have been put on notice: this team believes in itself, and belief can be a powerful weapon.
New Caledonia – Generations Unite:
New Caledonia brings one of the most remarkable stories of the entire tournament: a seasoned competitor returning to the court alongside the next generation.
Thommy Sargito competed in his first Oceania Championships in 1997—29 years ago. He returned to the court at last year’s Oceania Championships, and he’s back again in 2026. His presence alone is a testament to longevity, passion, and the enduring love of competition. Hugo Kasimun Sargito, who competed at the VICTOR Oceania Junior Championships in 2023, joins him, bridging veteran experience and knowledge with emerging talent.
The rest of the squad tells a story of strategic returns. Nathan Nicole last represented his territory at the 2019 VICTOR Oceania Junior Mixed Team Championships, where he excelled in doubles. Carl Nguela returns after an eight-year absence since 2017. Jerome Milesi and Alexandre Milesi reunite as doubles partners after both returning to the scene in 2025—Jerome after a 15-year hiatus since 2010, Alexandre after stepping away in 2010 himself.
Then there are the newcomers bridging past and future: Jun Le Breton makes his debut, while William Hnaissilin (2024 Pacific U17 competitor) and Joseph Guyenne and Theo Bourgeois (doubles partners from last year’s championships) add youth and continuity.
New Caledonia isn’t just a team, it’s a timeline of Pacific badminton walking onto the court together. The members will look to show how far their French territory has come at this year’s competition.
With Australia defending their crown on foreign soil, New Zealand leveraging home advantage and championship firepower, and teams from across the Pacific bringing everything from seasoned veterans to historic junior medalists, the 2026 VICTOR Oceania Men’s Team Championships promises unforgettable competition. The question isn’t just who will win—it’s which story will define the tournament.
For the full Oceania men’s team nomination list, click here.
