Former Guadeloupe national team captain and Frenchman Stéphane Auvray has been appointed as the new head coach of the national men’s football team, signaling a new chapter for Fijian football ahead of the 2026 season.

The Fiji Football Association says the 44-year-old former professional midfielder brings with him a wealth of international experience and technical knowledge.

Auvray’s career spanned clubs across several leagues, including Major League Soccer’s Kansas City Wizards and Brunei DPMM FC in the Singapore Premier League.

Fiji FA says Auvray also made his mark as captain of the Guadeloupe national team, where his calm leadership and tactical awareness in midfield earned him wide respect.

They say his playing career, defined by discipline and composure, laid a strong foundation for his transition into coaching.

Following his retirement, Auvray took on the role of head coach for the Saint Martin national team in 2019, before joining FIFA as a Talent Coach in 2023, where he focused on developing young players and supporting football programs across different regions.