Hell of a cost to fly the squad to Europe to play the Faroe Islands though. I understand the logic of looking at UEFA nations league C and D teams, but I can’t see NZF justifying the expenditure that would require.
Around 80% of a first choice 23 man AWs squad though, are already based in Europe/MLS these days.
I know it's natural given the heritage of many Kiwis, to look to Europe. It also being the main centre of the football universe. It's also inherent in the Kiwi psyche (something to do with being at the bottom of the world?), to worry alot about what the world thinks of us. Cue any important guest on the airport tarmac having a microphone thrust up to their mouth, and an earnest journo asking 'what do you think of our beautiful country'. Then the angst if the answer isn't 100% complimentary.
But really what does it matter what an English/Scottish/German/Spanish football fan thinks of NZ football? Why does it matter at all.
Our World Cup qualifying path is through OFC, then a 2 legged playoff against someone from Sth America, CONCACAF or Asia. That's where our football focus should be for the next 9 odd months until June 2022. Then it seems from 2026 WC onwards we just need to finish top spot in OFC, to get a spot at a bloated 48 team WC.
AWs football ain't really linked to Europe at all. That's apart from trying to get the odd friendly up there, for a squad that more than ever would be made up of Euro based players. But for these Oct/Nov 2021 FIFA windows there are hardly any 'free' UEFA teams available to play. Even with these expanded FIFA windows having 3 game slots (due to Covid), there is still a very small number of teams available to play. AV has worked out a list with the 2 windows, and it isn't long.
Will definitely be hugely disappointing if NZF can't secure some Euro/Middle East friendlies this year. These guys badly need games together, before the Intercontinental Playoffs. Faroe Islands or whoever, anyone will do. But obviously ain't easy with so few free teams available to play. To be fair to NZF they showed some real intent with scheduled games against England and Belgium late last year.
But from 2023 onwards I'd be more keen on trying to be involved in some sort of AFC/OFC Nations League with meaningful competitive home & away games against Japan, Sth Korea, Australia etc etc. Incl actual games in NZ.
Don't see the point of just chasing Euro friendlies, played in the dead of a NZ night, just to soothe our insecurities that we can finally be seen to be competitive against a 2nd string big name Euro country. A nation who's fans don't give a toss about such games.
What will really change the playing future for AWs, is Infantino's plans for either a biennial World Cup or Global Nations League. A real power struggle between UEFA and the Euro club leagues in one corner, verus Infantino and rest of the football world in the other corner. Is going to have a huge say in what happens with the AWs, when and who they play beyond 2022 etc etc.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/300403820/we-can-decide-not-to-play-in-it-uefa-threatens-boycott-as-fifa-unveils-biennial-world-cup-plan
Edit - at halfway point (9 of 18 games) Colombia are the 5th team in CONEMBOL. Japan & UAE are placed 3rd in the two AFC pools (after 2 of 10 games), and Panama is the 4th placed CONCACAF team after 3 of 10 rounds.
Top 4 in CONCACAF (Mexico, USA, Canada & Panama) all with 2 points of each other (5 to 7 points). Costa Rica struggling (2 pts), but early days.
Hopefully the Intercontinetal Playoff draw is made soon, so can start following one of these Confederations with some strong interest. I remember switching between 3-4 CONEMBOL games running simultaneously in 2017, end result being Peru came through in the playoff spot.