The qualifying tournament was originally scheduled as a stand-alone tournament in Tonga in December 2015 but the OFC confirmed at its Executive Committee meeting last month that it will investigate the alternative idea.

The Olympic football competition has an under-23 age policy, with just three players aged over 23 allowed per squad, meaning the Pacific Games may not feature a senior competition for the first time since its inception in 1963.

The new approach could see the New Zealand under-23 men's team participate in the Pacific Games men's football tournament for the first time.

The tournament is due to be held between July 4 and 18. 

The OFC Executive Committee has expressed its support for a more rounded representation of nations at the 2015 Pacific Games by involving the likes of Australia ©Getty Images





Historically, New Zealand and Australia's multi-sport teams and athletes have not participated in the Pacific Games, but the Executive Committee expressed its support for a more rounded representation of Pacific nations at the next edition.

When contacted by insidethegames, an OFC spokesman said: "The OFC Executive Committee meets for the final time on December 6 in Auckland, New Zealand, where the latest development will no doubt become apparent."

New Zealand represented Oceania in the football tournament at London 2012, earning their only point in a 1-1 draw against Egypt at Old Trafford in Manchester ©Getty Images

Oceania were represented at London 2012 in the men's tournament by New Zealand, who beat Fiji 1-0 in the final of the OFC Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Taupo.

At the Olympics they finished bottom of Group C after losing 1-0 to Belarus in Coventry and 3-0 to Brazil in Newcastle.

Their only point came thanks to a 1-1 draw with Egypt at Old Trafford in Manchester.

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