Australian soccer clubs - either established or new - could be involved in a new Pacific competition after an invite was extended by the Oceania Football Confederation.
The region's football body is seeking expressions of interest in a new "OFC Professional League" to kick off in 2026.
The project is backed by FIFA supremo Gianni Infantino, given Oceania (OFC) has just two professional football sides: Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC, who play in the Australian A-Leagues.
The new league is yet to have any confirmed teams or format, with a start date pushed back first by the pandemic, and then again as the scale of the task becomes clear.
An OFC statement on Friday said they were open to clubs from Australia - which left the OFC in 2005 to play in Asia - as they built the league.
"OFC’s consideration of an Australian-based club reflects the strong Pacific communities across Australia and the ease of travel access to Pacific nations," it read.
"This inclusion also brings significant benefits, including increased visibility and market reach, enhanced competitive standards, stronger economic and cultural links, and new development pathways for Pacific players.
"An Australian team would also help strengthen regional ties, inspire new partnership opportunities, and contribute to the growth of football across Oceania."
A public meeting will be held next week in Brisbane - Australia's Pacific hub - to scout interest.
Football associations or clubs in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Zealand are all on record as being interested in the league, which would be heavily subsidised by FIFA.
It remains to be seen if the Australian government could also subsidise an Australian club in the league.
The Australian government also markedly increased its "sports diplomacy" in the region, funding tours by national Australian soccer teams and, notably, an NRL side slated for Port Moresby.
While global football's minnows do not boast a record of accomplishment in international tournaments, it is an exciting time for Oceania football.
OFC member New Zealand successfully co-hosted last year's Women's World Cup with Australia, and for the first time in men's World Cup history an Oceania member has been assured of reaching the 2026 men's World Cup.
FIFA granted the OFC both a direct qualification place and a shot at another qualifier at the expanded 2026 tournament through an additional place in the inter-confederation playoffs.
Those qualifiers will resume next week in Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.
In Group A, Fiji are favourites to progress, with New Caledonia and Solomon Islands attempting to join them in the next round.
In Group B, Vanuatu and New Zealand enjoyed first-up wins and are likely to progress unless Tahiti can crash their party.
Qualifying concludes next March when the four top nations meet in New Zealand for crunch knockout matches that will decide OFC's representatives.
