2022 All Whites International Fixtures

So had a bit of a look as to who maybe available for the January 2022 window (24 Jan – 1 Feb 2022).
 
AFC teams Uzbekistan (FIFA ranking 84) & Jordan (91) currently look possibilities.

Whilst Congo (64) & South Africa (68) are some useful teams that have missed out on the African Cup of Nations (Jan 9th - Feb 6th 2022).

Final stage CAF World Cup qualifying (2 legged playoff ties) are not scheduled until the March window. Congo have made the final stage, so should be looking for some games in the Jan window. Looks like they are the only team in the final WC qualifying stage (10 CAF teams) who will miss the ACON (24 teams).

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/127011280/all-whites-looking-for-tougher-tests-next-window-as-world-cup-qualifying-nears

Coach Danny Hay said they were “very close to tying down a couple of teams” for the window that starts on January 24, but nothing was finalised. NZ Football had to adjust late ahead of the November window, when plans to play Burundi fell through, and they will be eager to get contracts signed as soon as possible.

Hay said the teams they were looking at would “provide strong opposition where we can start to find out a little bit more about ourselves. I'm excited if we can get them across the line”. It is understood they are most likely to come from Asia, though there are a number of African options inside the top 100 of the Fifa rankings.

either of those four mentioned would be a good step up from Gambia, Curacao etc assuming they will play them in UAE again, then onto the OFC competition.

Good read on what likely lies ahead in 2022.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/127021088/what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-about-the-all-whites-heading-into-a-world-cup-year

It can be easy to get caught up in how players in lower-tier leagues and age-group football in Europe are getting selected ahead of those playing first-team football down under. But the key is the individual players themselves, their ability, and how they fit into what the All Whites are trying to do. Playing as much as possible at the best possible level remains the aim, but it’s not the be all and end all.

Fixtures

The All Whites are hoping to have two matches in the January international window, which is only for teams outside Europe and was added when the Covid-19 pandemic forced the postponement of World Cup qualifiers in 2020. It is understood Asian opponents are most likely, though there are a number of African countries ranked inside the top 100 by Fifa that are also available.

After that will come Oceania qualifying for next year’s World Cup, which is set to take place in Qatar – the controversial host of the actual World Cup – in March. Beyond that, there are no details available four months out, something that has become a source of frustration for Hay and his staff.

The hope was for an eight-team tournament over a period of 16 to 18 days, featuring a three-match group stage, semifinals, and a final, which would mean getting players released from their clubs for twice as long as during a normal nine-day international window. If a tournament was to run that long without an extension of the window, the All Whites would be impacted more severely than their rivals. A compromise could be to extend the window by a day, as has been done for other regions, and go from eight teams to one across three days of knockout fixtures, but that increases the risk of one bad day – or a bad refereeing decision – having an outsized impact. Hopefully there will be clarity soon.

Michael Burgess article on Herald today saying they’re looking good at the moment for one Asian and one African opponent, both inside top 100, for January. So that could mean one of Qatar, Uzbekistan, Jordan or Kyrgyzstan from Asia, and possibly one of South Africa, DR Congo, Uganda, Benin, Zambia, Congo or Madagascar from CAF.

Qatar would be the strongest of those AFC teams, as they’re current Asian Cup champions and have also recorded third in this year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. They also essentially participated in Group A of UEFA’s World Cup Qualifying, unofficially recording 9 points in a group of Portugal, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan, which would have placed them 5th, only ahead of Azerbaijan. All in all, Qatar will have played at least 21 games this year alone, and possibly more depending on how they do in the Arab Cup later this month, for 21 All Whites games you have to go back to March 2017’s 2-0 away win in Fiji.

Qatar would be great. Ranked 46, and Asian champs as you say. Also best chance on offer to play in front of an 'away' crowd to part way simulate what will happen in June 2022 (if AWs win OFC tourney).

And surprised only have to go back to March 2017 to find 21 consecutive AWs games. 17-19 of those must have been away/neutral venue games.

coochiee

Good read on what likely lies ahead in 2022.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/127021088/what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-about-the-all-whites-heading-into-a-world-cup-year

It can be easy to get caught up in how players in lower-tier leagues and age-group football in Europe are getting selected ahead of those playing first-team football down under. But the key is the individual players themselves, their ability, and how they fit into what the All Whites are trying to do. Playing as much as possible at the best possible level remains the aim, but it’s not the be all and end all.

Fixtures

The All Whites are hoping to have two matches in the January international window, which is only for teams outside Europe and was added when the Covid-19 pandemic forced the postponement of World Cup qualifiers in 2020. It is understood Asian opponents are most likely, though there are a number of African countries ranked inside the top 100 by Fifa that are also available.

After that will come Oceania qualifying for next year’s World Cup, which is set to take place in Qatar – the controversial host of the actual World Cup – in March. Beyond that, there are no details available four months out, something that has become a source of frustration for Hay and his staff.

The hope was for an eight-team tournament over a period of 16 to 18 days, featuring a three-match group stage, semifinals, and a final, which would mean getting players released from their clubs for twice as long as during a normal nine-day international window. If a tournament was to run that long without an extension of the window, the All Whites would be impacted more severely than their rivals. A compromise could be to extend the window by a day, as has been done for other regions, and go from eight teams to one across three days of knockout fixtures, but that increases the risk of one bad day – or a bad refereeing decision – having an outsized impact. Hopefully there will be clarity soon.

Good piece, no mention of Waine though?  He must be in contention as the second-choice centre forward. 

Oska

coochiee

Good read on what likely lies ahead in 2022.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/127021088/what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-about-the-all-whites-heading-into-a-world-cup-year

It can be easy to get caught up in how players in lower-tier leagues and age-group football in Europe are getting selected ahead of those playing first-team football down under. But the key is the individual players themselves, their ability, and how they fit into what the All Whites are trying to do. Playing as much as possible at the best possible level remains the aim, but it’s not the be all and end all.

Fixtures

The All Whites are hoping to have two matches in the January international window, which is only for teams outside Europe and was added when the Covid-19 pandemic forced the postponement of World Cup qualifiers in 2020. It is understood Asian opponents are most likely, though there are a number of African countries ranked inside the top 100 by Fifa that are also available.

After that will come Oceania qualifying for next year’s World Cup, which is set to take place in Qatar – the controversial host of the actual World Cup – in March. Beyond that, there are no details available four months out, something that has become a source of frustration for Hay and his staff.

The hope was for an eight-team tournament over a period of 16 to 18 days, featuring a three-match group stage, semifinals, and a final, which would mean getting players released from their clubs for twice as long as during a normal nine-day international window. If a tournament was to run that long without an extension of the window, the All Whites would be impacted more severely than their rivals. A compromise could be to extend the window by a day, as has been done for other regions, and go from eight teams to one across three days of knockout fixtures, but that increases the risk of one bad day – or a bad refereeing decision – having an outsized impact. Hopefully there will be clarity soon.

Good piece, no mention of Waine though?  He must be in contention as the second-choice centre forward. 

Oops, I should have mentioned him alongside Ben Old. Have rectified that oversight. My gut feeling, however, is that if Wood was unavailable right now, you'd see a front two or a front three without someone in the mould of a traditional centre forward.

andrewvoerman

Oska

coochiee

Good read on what likely lies ahead in 2022.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/127021088/what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-about-the-all-whites-heading-into-a-world-cup-year

It can be easy to get caught up in how players in lower-tier leagues and age-group football in Europe are getting selected ahead of those playing first-team football down under. But the key is the individual players themselves, their ability, and how they fit into what the All Whites are trying to do. Playing as much as possible at the best possible level remains the aim, but it’s not the be all and end all.

Fixtures

The All Whites are hoping to have two matches in the January international window, which is only for teams outside Europe and was added when the Covid-19 pandemic forced the postponement of World Cup qualifiers in 2020. It is understood Asian opponents are most likely, though there are a number of African countries ranked inside the top 100 by Fifa that are also available.

After that will come Oceania qualifying for next year’s World Cup, which is set to take place in Qatar – the controversial host of the actual World Cup – in March. Beyond that, there are no details available four months out, something that has become a source of frustration for Hay and his staff.

The hope was for an eight-team tournament over a period of 16 to 18 days, featuring a three-match group stage, semifinals, and a final, which would mean getting players released from their clubs for twice as long as during a normal nine-day international window. If a tournament was to run that long without an extension of the window, the All Whites would be impacted more severely than their rivals. A compromise could be to extend the window by a day, as has been done for other regions, and go from eight teams to one across three days of knockout fixtures, but that increases the risk of one bad day – or a bad refereeing decision – having an outsized impact. Hopefully there will be clarity soon.

Good piece, no mention of Waine though?  He must be in contention as the second-choice centre forward. 

Oops, I should have mentioned him alongside Ben Old. Have rectified that oversight. My gut feeling, however, is that if Wood was unavailable right now, you'd see a front two or a front three without someone in the mould of a traditional centre forward.

Suspect you are right. Waine only got 128 mins at the Olympics. McCowatt & Just both got about double that. Likely Hay thinks Waine is still far from ready at age 20, to lead the line for the AWs.

So if sans Wood, just have to hope that the goals would come from Barba, Just, McCowatt & Singh - who all score a few at club level. You also would hopefully have Thomas, who from memory played as a makeshift false nine for PSV a season or so ago when they were hit by injuries. Reid & maybe Tuiloma to provide real threats at set pieces.

But as with Peru in 2017, Wood really is irreplaceable.

Jeez, another Burgess NZ Herald article today saying FIFA are set to scrap the two-legged intercontinental playoff, in favour of a one-off game, probably in Qatar. Doesn’t look like that Bahrain moment from 2009 will get a 2021 redux, not to mention losing the benefits of having a home crowd and conditions in a tight game.

carlind

Jeez, another Burgess NZ Herald article today saying FIFA are set to scrap the two-legged intercontinental playoff, in favour of a one-off game, probably in Qatar. Doesn’t look like that Bahrain moment from 2009 will get a 2021 redux, not to mention losing the benefits of having a home crowd and conditions in a tight game.

The draw, to decide which confederations are paired together, is expected to be held in Zurich before the end of this month.

If the game is in Qatar the scorching June temperatures will also be a challenge, even if the match is played at night.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/exclusive-radical-fifa-changes-set-to-have-huge-implications-for-all-whites/4YWIFNTWFBM23737AWCT64TFQM/

Man that would suck for several reasons. You could be looking then at close on 5 years (Nov 2017) since the AWs played at home. That's if NZF managed to setup some home friendly(ies) late 2022 - which wouldn't be a given.

And maybe 7 years since the AWs last played a competitive game (ie non friendly) at home!!! That's if say OFC qualifiers for 2026 WC cycle start 2024. Truly terrible.

Would have to be a trigger for FIFA, to sort out OFC for some sort of competitive setup with the AFC post 2022, ie some sort of combined Nations League. Otherwise just doing nothing at all to help the OFC region.

Edit - plus selfishly currently sitting in Lima right now, I was fancying a little trip to somewhere hopefully like Panama City (for the Socceroos if not All Whites!).

carlind

Jeez, another Burgess NZ Herald article today saying FIFA are set to scrap the two-legged intercontinental playoff, in favour of a one-off game, probably in Qatar. Doesn’t look like that Bahrain moment from 2009 will get a 2021 redux, not to mention losing the benefits of having a home crowd and conditions in a tight game.

If this comes to fruition then that's just pure sharke. I'd be very surprised if NZF was pleased about this, given the money spinner it is for us (also assuming we'll get to the playoffs). It almost sucks the air out of us back here in NZ, who would be clamouring over the possibility of getting to Wellington for our one game that we seem to get every four years now.

To be honest though who even knows what the state of the world will be by then anyway? Further lockdowns looming in Europe, Covid on the uptick once more. Oh life is morbid at the moment...

Not best pleased with this news at all.

carlind

Jeez, another Burgess NZ Herald article today saying FIFA are set to scrap the two-legged intercontinental playoff, in favour of a one-off game, probably in Qatar. Doesn’t look like that Bahrain moment from 2009 will get a 2021 redux, not to mention losing the benefits of having a home crowd and conditions in a tight game.

I doubt the confederations involved would protest that idea CONCACAF and AFC would deff prefer the 2 leg play off. OFC would do whatever FIFA want and suck up to them.

While financially it would suck not getting a home game and tv rights potentially to a nice market

Football wise it’s our best chance of actually qualifying. Whoever we play we will be the underdogs and if it’s South America even more so.

Much more chance of getting a result over one game then two. The neutral ground also isn’t necessary a bad thing.

If we get the result and get to the World Cup it would be worth it and then the money comes and the glory

AucklandPhoenix

While financially it would suck not getting a home game and tv rights potentially to a nice market

Football wise it’s our best chance of actually qualifying. Whoever we play we will be the underdogs and if it’s South America even more so.

Much more chance of getting a result over one game then two. The neutral ground also isn’t necessary a bad thing.

If we get the result and get to the World Cup it would be worth it and then the money comes and the glory

Sporting wise you can argue the merits in all sorts of ways, but the fact is that it takes away the one game that our national team gets over 20k for in New Zealand. That's devastating. People just want to see the team goddamn play in our own country for once, we're sick of having to watch on tv at some bullshark hour of the morning. At the moment Niki in the UAE is better placed to get to AWs games than anyone in NZ - how ridiculous is that?! And I'm sure the players are upset with it as well - do you think they like playing in front of empty/quiet stadia? 

lthomas20

AucklandPhoenix

While financially it would suck not getting a home game and tv rights potentially to a nice market

Football wise it’s our best chance of actually qualifying. Whoever we play we will be the underdogs and if it’s South America even more so.

Much more chance of getting a result over one game then two. The neutral ground also isn’t necessary a bad thing.

If we get the result and get to the World Cup it would be worth it and then the money comes and the glory

Sporting wise you can argue the merits in all sorts of ways, but the fact is that it takes away the one game that our national team gets over 20k for in New Zealand. That's devastating. People just want to see the team goddamn play in our own country for once, we're sick of having to watch on tv at some bullshark hour of the morning. At the moment Niki in the UAE is better placed to get to AWs games than anyone in NZ - how ridiculous is that?! And I'm sure the players are upset with it as well - do you think they like playing in front of empty/quiet stadia? 

Exactly the money, or getting to the World Cup is only part of it. The week-10 days around these Intercontinental Playoff games is huge for footbal in NZ. People have very fond memories of going to these games, esp obviously Bahrain 2009.

But is just wrong that young kids, esp will be denied chance to see their heroes like Wood actually in the flesh, after waiting soooo long.

Change is confirmed. Sad day.
When will AWs next play in NZ? When will they next play a competitive meaningful game in NZ?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/127049666/boost-for-all-whites-blow-for-kiwi-fans-as-fifa-changes-world-cup-playoff-format

Fifa said the draw for the playoffs would be made this week [Saturday 5am NZ time[. 

I dont get it, is this about player welfare (1 less game, less travel)? or is it purely the big clubs in Europe demanding that they have lose their players for less time? Either way this decision benefits noone! The nations lose home game money, the fans lose our of a home and away challenge and instead they get to watch their team play at a neutral venue with no fans that actually care about the game. Insane! With this kind of ruling we will never get to see the full AW's team play n NZ, at least not against any quality teams. 

theprof

I dont get it, is this about player welfare (1 less game, less travel)? or is it purely the big clubs in Europe demanding that they have lose their players for less time? Either way this decision benefits noone! The nations lose home game money, the fans lose our of a home and away challenge and instead they get to watch their team play at a neutral venue with no fans that actually care about the game. Insane! With this kind of ruling we will never get to see the full AW's team play n NZ, at least not against any quality teams. 

I'm guessing it's all driven by some fear at FIFA, that Covid could return with a vengence again to some parts of the world like Sth America next Southern Hempisphere winter, with borders shut again come June 2022. Then suddenly you have a serious match programming issues leading into Qatar.

But it's a real kick in the teeth to Kiwi football fans, and a big blow to NZF re losing out on TV rights and a full gate at either the ROF or Eden Park.

But doubt countries in other Confeds will care too much about losing gate receipts from a home tie. They are already playing extensive WC qualifying campaigns with regular home games. Though CONEMBOL teams especially will know that they'll lose a big edge by not having 1 home playoff game, in front of a hostile home crowd.

But potential advantage to the AFC playoff team if these playoff games are played in Qatar. Esp for a Middle Eastern team like Oman, UAE etc.

If AWs do somehow qualify for Qatar, NZF should move heaven & earth to stage 1-2 games in NZ, before they leave for the World Cup. A 2 game series in Wgtn & Auckland against the Socceroos would be one idea. 

The neutral ground aspect is another bugging thing, as it isn’t really neutral.

UAE are currently third in Group A of AFC, so very conceivably could be an opponent, should they beat Group B’s third place in another one-off game. Dubai is an hour flight from Qatar, so it’d be similar to flying to Wellington from Auckland, as opposed to half-way around the world for NZ players. Munich to Doha is 6 hours, not to mention A League/MLS guys.

Not to mention climate, June is peak Arabian summer (42deg H and 29deg L). Compare past results vs Solomons home and away for an example of how much this effects it. At home we’ve won the last two games 6-1, away we’ve been lucky to scrape a 2-2, and a 4-3 win.

I’ve also seen a lot people say it’s better for the All Whites for one leg, but even then is it really? Would we have beaten Bahrain in front of 3600 people in Durban? Not sure. Would we draw with Peru in Moscow? You gain things in only needing to park the bus for 120 minutes to get penalties, but you lose the reprieve of having a second leg. Imagine that Woud Honduras game was the playoff, would be a lot easier to rectify had it been in Tegucigalpa ahead of a game in Auckland/Wellington, as opposed to be-all-end-all in Doha. Not to mention, if your game plan is to defend for penalties against Honduras, what are you going to do once you get to the group stage anyway?

If we end up with the UAE rather then Australia or Japan or any of the other confederations we should celebrate.

While the players may like to play in front of home fans, they would much prefer not to lose to a Mexico or Peru over two legs and get spanked in the away leg. 

They want to go to the World Cup 

One game at a neutral venue gives us the best chance as underdogs 

The Qatar WC has been moved to a Nov-Dec time slot, as June-July was considered too brutal heat wise. 

Same should apply to these Intercontinental Playoffs. Stage them in Switzerland (FIFA's HQ), or Paris or London. 

But yeah June in the Middle East would be a massive disadvantge for the AWs. You could see at the Olympics how our boys struggled more in the heat & humidity near Tokyo. And how much more they enjoyed the conditions for the one game they had in cooler Sapporo (Romania).

But the biggest loser of this change to a 1 leg, neutral venue game, is the NZ football fan.

Coming from a non-kiwi, let me give you this perspective. With Covid still an ongoing pandemic and ever evolving situation, there is absolutely no guarantee that the NZ borders will open at that point and so the two week quarantine wil not be something FIFA or other FAs will tolerate (You can imagine the drama and scandal South American teams will make leading up to the game about this and will no doubt make appeals and complaints to fifa) Players and footballing bodies complain players play too much and player welfare, flying from Panama to NZ via USA is at least a 24 hour journey and even longer for European based players (assuming NZ gets CONCAF). FIFA doesn’t care about what little James from Auckland or Hamilton cares when it comes to seeing their heroes in Chris Wood in live action, they want to make sure the fifa program gets underway and isn’t further interrupted. Also got to remember in many countries they’re playing qualifiers without crowds even in their home nation (China has had to play their entire world qualifiers in Dubai im front of an empty stadium let alone a one per play off game) Unfortunately the fifa world can be an unfair place most of the time, and sentimental feelings like seeing your heroes at home doesn’t cut the fifa mustard. Covid has shafted a lot of things, I have had to delay my wedding, I couldn’t fly to NZ for a relatives funeral (because I live in Covid torn Melbourne) so this is the consequence of this pandemic, I think perspective is needed among this frustration. And, if NZF were so desperate to get home games, they would lobby the OFC to be held in NZ, km sure there is little Covid in Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Samoa, funnily enough they don’t seem desperate to do it, probably because if makes no money 

You make a lot of sense Alon. 

Though NZF would like to be hosting AWs games now, even against OFC teams. 

But is just no chance that NZ Govt would be letting in teams from likes of PNG, Tahiti & New Caledonia any time soon, without 2 weeks MIQ required. Plenty of Covid cases in those countries, though with latter 2 is an improving trend. PNG is the Covid problem child of the OFC region, and will be for quite some time.

And that’s exactly what fifa is seeing with this and thinks when it comes to this decision. It’s not just get on a flight and come to NZ to play a game, these games takes months of preparation behind the scenes that we don’t realise, with so much uncertainty in the world, this is the most logical decision. 

coochiee

You make a lot of sense Alon. 

Though NZF would like to be hosting AWs games now, even against OFC teams. 

But is just no chance that NZ Govt would be letting in teams from likes of PNG, Tahiti & New Caledonia any time soon. Plenty of Covid cases in those countries, though with latter 2 is an improving trend. PNG is the Covid problem child of the OFC region, and will be for quite some time.

coochiee

Change is confirmed. Sad day.
When will AWs next play in NZ? When will they next play a competitive meaningful game in NZ?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/127049666/boost-for-all-whites-blow-for-kiwi-fans-as-fifa-changes-world-cup-playoff-format

Fifa said the draw for the playoffs would be made this week [Saturday 5am NZ time[. 

Streaming live on the FIFA website from 5 am NZT Saturday 27 next week:
https://www.fifa.com/
The European play-off draw precedes it.

alon222

And that’s exactly what fifa is seeing with this and thinks when it comes to this decision. It’s not just get on a flight and come to NZ to play a game, these games takes months of preparation behind the scenes that we don’t realise, with so much uncertainty in the world, this is the most logical decision. 

coochiee

You make a lot of sense Alon. 

Though NZF would like to be hosting AWs games now, even against OFC teams. 

But is just no chance that NZ Govt would be letting in teams from likes of PNG, Tahiti & New Caledonia any time soon. Plenty of Covid cases in those countries, though with latter 2 is an improving trend. PNG is the Covid problem child of the OFC region, and will be for quite some time.

Believe the fact that AFC WCQ will still be going in the first half of the June window compressing the lead-in/preparation timeframe (which is usually only a month normally) significantly was a big factor. Individual countries border concerns not so much (as you can always just play somewhere else at the time if restrictions persist).

Sounds like we will find out next Saturday the draw, but what if OFC & AFC are drawn together.

Some chance then that it could end up Socceroos v AWs in a playoff. Problem is we wouldn't know for certain until the 2 legged AFC playoff (is going to stay 2 legs??) of the two 3rd placed teams is completed early June 2022, who AFC team will be.

But if it ended up Aus verus NZ, would sort of be madness to play a one off game at a neutral venue, when TT border is highly likely to be open June 2022. Both FAs might be able to approach FIFA and organise a 2 legged H&A tie at the last minute, for late June. We are talking in the European club off season so that would help, re getting Euro based players down under in time.

Note Socceroos are currently 3rd in their AFC pool, and the other pool with UAE, Lebanon & Iraq fighting for 3rd does seem the weaker pool.

Having lived in the UAE, and spent chunks of time in Qatar and Saudi, I can state that the summer heat disadvantages absolutely everyone!!  Hailing from that region really does not make coping with 48C heat any easier to deal with - you might have experienced it more, but it still smashes the physiology of any human in it.  You barely see anyone outdoors at that time of the year, so even the UAE team would be none too keen on playing in those conditions (and they'd be out of season too).

And just be wary of official temperatures in the Gulf region - they're almost never accurate.  You need to add at least 3-4 to any reading for it to reflect reality (they're recorded lower so that benchmarks for people being able to stop working outside aren't reached...)

alon222

Coming from a non-kiwi, let me give you this perspective. With Covid still an ongoing pandemic and ever evolving situation, there is absolutely no guarantee that the NZ borders will open at that point and so the two week quarantine wil not be something FIFA or other FAs will tolerate (You can imagine the drama and scandal South American teams will make leading up to the game about this and will no doubt make appeals and complaints to fifa) Players and footballing bodies complain players play too much and player welfare, flying from Panama to NZ via USA is at least a 24 hour journey and even longer for European based players (assuming NZ gets CONCAF). FIFA doesn’t care about what little James from Auckland or Hamilton cares when it comes to seeing their heroes in Chris Wood in live action, they want to make sure the fifa program gets underway and isn’t further interrupted. Also got to remember in many countries they’re playing qualifiers without crowds even in their home nation (China has had to play their entire world qualifiers in Dubai im front of an empty stadium let alone a one per play off game) Unfortunately the fifa world can be an unfair place most of the time, and sentimental feelings like seeing your heroes at home doesn’t cut the fifa mustard. Covid has shafted a lot of things, I have had to delay my wedding, I couldn’t fly to NZ for a relatives funeral (because I live in Covid torn Melbourne) so this is the consequence of this pandemic, I think perspective is needed among this frustration. And, if NZF were so desperate to get home games, they would lobby the OFC to be held in NZ, km sure there is little Covid in Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Samoa, funnily enough they don’t seem desperate to do it, probably because if makes no money 

except that as soon as the "traffic light" system is put in place, ie Dec 1 then travel within NZ for those who are vaccinated is open, international borders to follow. MIQ will be a thing of the past within a few months. If you're a sports team and vaccinated then there will be no 2 weeks MIQ to deal with. Removing the home and away game series this early is a massive over reaction. 

theprof

alon222

Coming from a non-kiwi, let me give you this perspective. With Covid still an ongoing pandemic and ever evolving situation, there is absolutely no guarantee that the NZ borders will open at that point and so the two week quarantine wil not be something FIFA or other FAs will tolerate (You can imagine the drama and scandal South American teams will make leading up to the game about this and will no doubt make appeals and complaints to fifa) Players and footballing bodies complain players play too much and player welfare, flying from Panama to NZ via USA is at least a 24 hour journey and even longer for European based players (assuming NZ gets CONCAF). FIFA doesn’t care about what little James from Auckland or Hamilton cares when it comes to seeing their heroes in Chris Wood in live action, they want to make sure the fifa program gets underway and isn’t further interrupted. Also got to remember in many countries they’re playing qualifiers without crowds even in their home nation (China has had to play their entire world qualifiers in Dubai im front of an empty stadium let alone a one per play off game) Unfortunately the fifa world can be an unfair place most of the time, and sentimental feelings like seeing your heroes at home doesn’t cut the fifa mustard. Covid has shafted a lot of things, I have had to delay my wedding, I couldn’t fly to NZ for a relatives funeral (because I live in Covid torn Melbourne) so this is the consequence of this pandemic, I think perspective is needed among this frustration. And, if NZF were so desperate to get home games, they would lobby the OFC to be held in NZ, km sure there is little Covid in Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Samoa, funnily enough they don’t seem desperate to do it, probably because if makes no money 

except that as soon as the "traffic light" system is put in place, ie Dec 1 then travel within NZ for those who are vaccinated is open, international borders to follow. MIQ will be a thing of the past within a few months. If you're a sports team and vaccinated then there will be no 2 weeks MIQ to deal with. Removing the home and away game series this early is a massive over reaction. 

Again, it's not because of border issues (and especially not because of them in New Zealand specifically). It's because the AFC team in the intercontinental playoffs won't be found until June 6 and that creates a logistical nightmare w/r/t staging a home-and-away tie in the eight days that follow.

that makes more sense, but still a logistically difficult is not impossible.
that rationale didnt appear in any of the reporting - that I've read.

theprof

that makes more sense, but still a logistically difficult is not impossible.
that rationale didnt appear in any of the reporting - that I've read.

Is in my updated story via the NZ Football CEO.

Indeed, it wasn't in the announcement. Definitely not impossible, but imagine being NZF trying to make plans for June and you don't know where you've got to go until the day before?

The other really frustrating thing is that the WCQ schedule has been as it is for a while now, this call could have been made ages ago.

andrewvoerman

alon222

And that’s exactly what fifa is seeing with this and thinks when it comes to this decision. It’s not just get on a flight and come to NZ to play a game, these games takes months of preparation behind the scenes that we don’t realise, with so much uncertainty in the world, this is the most logical decision. 

coochiee

You make a lot of sense Alon. 

Though NZF would like to be hosting AWs games now, even against OFC teams. 

But is just no chance that NZ Govt would be letting in teams from likes of PNG, Tahiti & New Caledonia any time soon. Plenty of Covid cases in those countries, though with latter 2 is an improving trend. PNG is the Covid problem child of the OFC region, and will be for quite some time.

Believe the fact that AFC WCQ will still be going in the first half of the June window compressing the lead-in/preparation timeframe (which is usually only a month normally) significantly was a big factor. Individual countries border concerns not so much (as you can always just play somewhere else at the time if restrictions persist).

And how is it our fault that those confederations, having known about a shortage of time, proceeded to have massively qualifying stages anyway?

Well I say if they can do what they like, then we should get to have OFC qualifiers in March, June and September and they can have the playoffs in October! 

andrewvoerman

theprof

alon222

Coming from a non-kiwi, let me give you this perspective. With Covid still an ongoing pandemic and ever evolving situation, there is absolutely no guarantee that the NZ borders will open at that point and so the two week quarantine wil not be something FIFA or other FAs will tolerate (You can imagine the drama and scandal South American teams will make leading up to the game about this and will no doubt make appeals and complaints to fifa) Players and footballing bodies complain players play too much and player welfare, flying from Panama to NZ via USA is at least a 24 hour journey and even longer for European based players (assuming NZ gets CONCAF). FIFA doesn’t care about what little James from Auckland or Hamilton cares when it comes to seeing their heroes in Chris Wood in live action, they want to make sure the fifa program gets underway and isn’t further interrupted. Also got to remember in many countries they’re playing qualifiers without crowds even in their home nation (China has had to play their entire world qualifiers in Dubai im front of an empty stadium let alone a one per play off game) Unfortunately the fifa world can be an unfair place most of the time, and sentimental feelings like seeing your heroes at home doesn’t cut the fifa mustard. Covid has shafted a lot of things, I have had to delay my wedding, I couldn’t fly to NZ for a relatives funeral (because I live in Covid torn Melbourne) so this is the consequence of this pandemic, I think perspective is needed among this frustration. And, if NZF were so desperate to get home games, they would lobby the OFC to be held in NZ, km sure there is little Covid in Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Samoa, funnily enough they don’t seem desperate to do it, probably because if makes no money 

except that as soon as the "traffic light" system is put in place, ie Dec 1 then travel within NZ for those who are vaccinated is open, international borders to follow. MIQ will be a thing of the past within a few months. If you're a sports team and vaccinated then there will be no 2 weeks MIQ to deal with. Removing the home and away game series this early is a massive over reaction. 

Again, it's not because of border issues (and especially not because of them in New Zealand specifically). It's because the AFC team in the intercontinental playoffs won't be found until June 6 and that creates a logistical nightmare w/r/t staging a home-and-away tie in the eight days that follow.

 Again, that's not our fault - it's AFCs fault for deciding to have a gigantic qualifying campaign. It's bullshark that we play less games as a result of them playing more games isn't it?

Honestly the whole thing I've realised with just about every decision by FIFA since Infantino's presidency began (expanded world cup with a terrible format, reformed club world cup, attempted change to biennial world cup, over-expansion of womens world cup, everything involving the corrupt slavedrivers Qatari world cup, etc. etc.), is that they really are unfit to run international football competitions. 

There simply has to be a better way that fosters sustainable growth of the game, puts the fans (the people who, at the core, make football such a lucrative thing) first and foremost and doesn't give in to bribery or favouritism to certain nations and federations. AND that ensures a robust and exciting existence of international football for all member states and confederations!

the AFC fourth round will also apparently be a single leg game, but after that there still won't be time for a two legged playoff with OFC/CONMEBOL/CONCACAF

after the 2022 cycle, New Zealand should join AFC because AFC will get 8/9 spots at the world cup, and instead of the free pass the youth world cups, olympics and womens world cups, all our teams will participate in all the AFC events and will have to fight for their spot in all the world cups. 

Nice one mate, little James is crying now.

alon222

Coming from a non-kiwi, let me give you this perspective. With Covid still an ongoing pandemic and ever evolving situation, there is absolutely no guarantee that the NZ borders will open at that point and so the two week quarantine wil not be something FIFA or other FAs will tolerate (You can imagine the drama and scandal South American teams will make leading up to the game about this and will no doubt make appeals and complaints to fifa) Players and footballing bodies complain players play too much and player welfare, flying from Panama to NZ via USA is at least a 24 hour journey and even longer for European based players (assuming NZ gets CONCAF). FIFA doesn’t care about what little James from Auckland or Hamilton cares when it comes to seeing their heroes in Chris Wood in live action, they want to make sure the fifa program gets underway and isn’t further interrupted. Also got to remember in many countries they’re playing qualifiers without crowds even in their home nation (China has had to play their entire world qualifiers in Dubai im front of an empty stadium let alone a one per play off game) Unfortunately the fifa world can be an unfair place most of the time, and sentimental feelings like seeing your heroes at home doesn’t cut the fifa mustard. Covid has shafted a lot of things, I have had to delay my wedding, I couldn’t fly to NZ for a relatives funeral (because I live in Covid torn Melbourne) so this is the consequence of this pandemic, I think perspective is needed among this frustration. And, if NZF were so desperate to get home games, they would lobby the OFC to be held in NZ, km sure there is little Covid in Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Samoa, funnily enough they don’t seem desperate to do it, probably because if makes no money 

How mad is it they could compete in that european group like that, it's actually crazy.

carlind

Michael Burgess article on Herald today saying they’re looking good at the moment for one Asian and one African opponent, both inside top 100, for January. So that could mean one of Qatar, Uzbekistan, Jordan or Kyrgyzstan from Asia, and possibly one of South Africa, DR Congo, Uganda, Benin, Zambia, Congo or Madagascar from CAF.

Qatar would be the strongest of those AFC teams, as they’re current Asian Cup champions and have also recorded third in this year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. They also essentially participated in Group A of UEFA’s World Cup Qualifying, unofficially recording 9 points in a group of Portugal, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan, which would have placed them 5th, only ahead of Azerbaijan. All in all, Qatar will have played at least 21 games this year alone, and possibly more depending on how they do in the Arab Cup later this month, for 21 All Whites games you have to go back to March 2017’s 2-0 away win in Fiji.

 

morgenstern12

after the 2022 cycle, New Zealand should join AFC because AFC will get 8/9 spots at the world cup, and instead of the free pass the youth world cups, olympics and womens world cups, all our teams will participate in all the AFC events and will have to fight for their spot in all the world cups. 

Join AFC? excellent idea, never heard that before :)