Listed below are the dates and results for the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the Oceanian zone (OFC). For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification. A total of 10 teams entered the competition. The Oceanian zone was allocated 0.5 places (out of 32) in the final tournament. Format There would be three rounds of play: First Round: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tahiti, the four best ranked teams according to FIFA, received byes and advanced to the Second Round directly. The remaining 6 teams were divided into 2 groups of 3 teams each, namely the Melanesian Group and the Polynesian Group, based on geographical considerations. The teams played against each other once. The winner of the Melanesian Group would advance to the Second Round. The runner-up of the Melanesian Group and the winner of the Polynesian Group would advance to the First Round Play-off. In the Play-off, they played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The winner would advance to the Second Round. Second Round: The 6 teams were divided into 2 groups of 3 teams each. The teams played against each other twice. The group winners would advance to the Final Round. Final Round: The 2 teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The winner would advance to the AFC / OFC Intercontinental Play-off. First round Melanesian Group Papua New Guinea advanced to the Second Round. Solomon Islands advanced to the First Round Play-off. Polynesian Group Tonga advanced to the First Round Play-off. Play-off Solomon Islands advanced to the Second Round by the aggregate score of 13–0. Second round Group 1 Australia advanced to the Final Round. Group 2 New Zealand advanced to the Final Round. Final round |} Australia advanced to the AFC / OFC Intercontinental Play-off by the aggregate score of 5–0. Inter-confederation play-off Goalscorers There were 88 goals scored in 24 matches (including 2 international play-offs), for an average of 3.67 goals per match. 7 goals Noel Berry 6 goals John Aloisi 5 goals Damian Mori Robert Seni 4 goals Aurelio Vidmar Vaughan Coveny Wynton Rufer 3 goals Graham Arnold Ernie Tapai Paul Trimboli 2 goals Craig Foster Harry Kewell Ned Zelic George Kiriau Augustine Peli Eddie Rukumana Timote Moleni 1 goals Mark Bosnich Matthew Bingley Robbie Slater Mani Stenter Solome Pita Esala Masinisau Liuai Duguga Alivate Driu Chris Jackson Simon Elliott Tim