Blab Sports
Island Nations Finalise Glasgow 2026 Squads Amid Growing Preparations
As the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow edge closer, a growing number of Pacific island nations are finalising their rosters, underscoring the region’s expanding presence on the global stage.
Fiji has announced the largest delegation yet, with 58 athletes competing in eight sports. The Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) revealed competitors in athletics, 3‑x‑3 basketball, bowling, boxing, judo, para‑athletics, swimming and weightlifting. The squad includes both men’s and women’s 3‑x‑3 basketball teams, para‑athletes, and weightlifters who earned direct qualification or received bipartite invitations. FASANOC chief executive Vanessa Kilner said the athletes “earned their spot” through years of dedication. The delegation is led by chef de mission Ajay Ballu and general manager Jane Wong‑Niubalavu.
Niue’s 18‑member team, named by the Niue Island Sports and Commonwealth Games Association, will compete in athletics, boxing and indoor bowls. The roster features track athletes Caleb Misipeka and Maxine Edwards, alongside a group of boxers and bowlers. Chef de mission Sidney Lui highlighted Niue’s commitment to sport development and international cooperation.
Vanuatu’s 14‑person delegation, confirmed by the Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (VASANOC), will take part in six sports: athletics, judo, swimming, boxing, para‑powerlifting and weightlifting. President David Lolo said the focus is on improving personal bests and advancing performance. He noted that the team has received no government support and is relying on reserve funds to cover travel, accommodation and logistics, estimated at VT 11 million (NZ$159,500). The squad includes judoka Priscillia Monthouel, weightlifters Ajah Pritchard‑Lolo and Thomas Wilbur, and swimmer Loane Russet. Vanuatu’s chef de mission Mike Masauvakalo emphasized the importance of the investment for athlete support.
Tonga’s delegation is still being finalised, but the Tonga Commonwealth Games Association (TCGA) has announced that Hulita Veve will be the flag‑bearer at the opening ceremony. Veve, a long‑time captain of the Tonga side, was selected by the TCGA and the Tonga Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (TASANOC). Finau Ohuafi, a leading swimmer, will carry the ceremonial baton. The TCGA said both athletes embody leadership, dedication and national pride.
The Cook Islands have named a four‑member athletics squad, consisting of decathlete Max Teuruaa, high‑jump athlete Samasoni Hewitt, long‑jump athlete Piritau Nga Junior and sprinter Estelle Short. The athletes were chosen after strong performances at the Oceania Championships in Darwin. The Cook Islands’ full delegation for Glasgow has not yet been confirmed.
Across the island nations, preparation is the common thread. Fiji’s athletes have already secured spots through direct qualification or bipartite invitations, while Vanuatu’s team includes athletes who earned open allocations, a bipartite invitation and merit‑based qualifications. Niue’s athletes were selected after monitoring performances, and Tonga’s final roster is expected in the coming weeks.
The Glasgow Games will feature a reduced programme of ten sports, with a total of 3,000 athletes from up to 74 Commonwealth nations and territories. The event will run from 23 July to 2 August 2026, marking the third time Glasgow has hosted the Games.
For the island delegations, the upcoming Games represent an opportunity to compete against some of the best athletes in the Commonwealth. The teams have been training through pre‑camp sessions in Scotland, Sweden, Fiji and Samoa, and will converge on Glasgow on 20 July for the final departure.
As the Games approach, the island nations will rely on their national Olympic committees, coaches and medical teams to support athletes through the competition. The focus remains on performance, representation and the pride of competing on the international stage.
The Commonwealth Games Federation has confirmed that the Games will proceed as scheduled, and the island delegations are finalising logistics and travel arrangements to ensure a smooth arrival in Glasgow.
The island teams’ participation underscores the growing reach of the Commonwealth Games and the continued commitment of Pacific nations to international sport.
Fiji has announced the largest delegation yet, with 58 athletes competing in eight sports. The Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) revealed competitors in athletics, 3‑x‑3 basketball, bowling, boxing, judo, para‑athletics, swimming and weightlifting. The squad includes both men’s and women’s 3‑x‑3 basketball teams, para‑athletes, and weightlifters who earned direct qualification or received bipartite invitations. FASANOC chief executive Vanessa Kilner said the athletes “earned their spot” through years of dedication. The delegation is led by chef de mission Ajay Ballu and general manager Jane Wong‑Niubalavu.
Niue’s 18‑member team, named by the Niue Island Sports and Commonwealth Games Association, will compete in athletics, boxing and indoor bowls. The roster features track athletes Caleb Misipeka and Maxine Edwards, alongside a group of boxers and bowlers. Chef de mission Sidney Lui highlighted Niue’s commitment to sport development and international cooperation.
Vanuatu’s 14‑person delegation, confirmed by the Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (VASANOC), will take part in six sports: athletics, judo, swimming, boxing, para‑powerlifting and weightlifting. President David Lolo said the focus is on improving personal bests and advancing performance. He noted that the team has received no government support and is relying on reserve funds to cover travel, accommodation and logistics, estimated at VT 11 million (NZ$159,500). The squad includes judoka Priscillia Monthouel, weightlifters Ajah Pritchard‑Lolo and Thomas Wilbur, and swimmer Loane Russet. Vanuatu’s chef de mission Mike Masauvakalo emphasized the importance of the investment for athlete support.
Tonga’s delegation is still being finalised, but the Tonga Commonwealth Games Association (TCGA) has announced that Hulita Veve will be the flag‑bearer at the opening ceremony. Veve, a long‑time captain of the Tonga side, was selected by the TCGA and the Tonga Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (TASANOC). Finau Ohuafi, a leading swimmer, will carry the ceremonial baton. The TCGA said both athletes embody leadership, dedication and national pride.
The Cook Islands have named a four‑member athletics squad, consisting of decathlete Max Teuruaa, high‑jump athlete Samasoni Hewitt, long‑jump athlete Piritau Nga Junior and sprinter Estelle Short. The athletes were chosen after strong performances at the Oceania Championships in Darwin. The Cook Islands’ full delegation for Glasgow has not yet been confirmed.
Across the island nations, preparation is the common thread. Fiji’s athletes have already secured spots through direct qualification or bipartite invitations, while Vanuatu’s team includes athletes who earned open allocations, a bipartite invitation and merit‑based qualifications. Niue’s athletes were selected after monitoring performances, and Tonga’s final roster is expected in the coming weeks.
The Glasgow Games will feature a reduced programme of ten sports, with a total of 3,000 athletes from up to 74 Commonwealth nations and territories. The event will run from 23 July to 2 August 2026, marking the third time Glasgow has hosted the Games.
For the island delegations, the upcoming Games represent an opportunity to compete against some of the best athletes in the Commonwealth. The teams have been training through pre‑camp sessions in Scotland, Sweden, Fiji and Samoa, and will converge on Glasgow on 20 July for the final departure.
As the Games approach, the island nations will rely on their national Olympic committees, coaches and medical teams to support athletes through the competition. The focus remains on performance, representation and the pride of competing on the international stage.
The Commonwealth Games Federation has confirmed that the Games will proceed as scheduled, and the island delegations are finalising logistics and travel arrangements to ensure a smooth arrival in Glasgow.
The island teams’ participation underscores the growing reach of the Commonwealth Games and the continued commitment of Pacific nations to international sport.
