NZ All Whites add extra games to international window
The All Whites have added games against China PR and Palestine to their September fixtures, taking the team to four matches across the FIFA international window.
New Zealand ranked 86th will face Palestine (95th) on 24 September 2026, kicking off at 9:30pm NZT, at Tongliang Long Stadium in Chongqing, China.
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On 28 September 2026, kicking off at 12:35am NZT, the team will face 91st ranked China PR at Longxing Football Stadium, also in Chongqing, China.
The games come directly before the All Whites take part in the Kirin Cup 2026, alongside Ecuador, hosts Japan, and Panama.
The All Whites will start against Panama on 1 October at Yokohama International Stadium, before facing either Ecuador or Japan in the final or third-place play-off on Monday 5 October at Tokyo’s National Stadium.
Head coach Darren Bazeley believes the four games represent a nice, varied blend of different fixtures for the squad as they look to play their first matches since the FIFA World Cup 2026.
“This window could see us face teams ranked from the 90s right up to 17th in the world, so it’s a really good mix of challenges, which is great for the squad to have these different opportunities, straight after the World Cup.
“Having four games gives us a great chance to give good game time and opportunities to a wide range of players, including players from our recent World Cup squad, some players from our wider squad who missed out on that selection, and an opportunity to see some of our younger players integrate into the environment.
“These should be four interesting games for us, so I’m really looking forward to getting this squad together, getting back out on the pitch, and giving the players the opportunity to push themselves forward and show their abilities.”
Following the September/October FIFA international window, the All Whites’ next games will see the team return home to face India over two matches: at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on 12 November and One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch on 15 November.
