2024 All Whites International Fixtures

Thing is with those Stadia, fans sit about 200 yards away from the pitch. just like the Ring of Dirt minus the chicken wire fence. You want something where fans can be 5 yards from it. 

I noticed that other OFC countries are travelling far afield for matches in this current round of "FIFA Series" friendlies.
Matches also streaming on FIFA+
https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/showcase/replays-fifa-series-2024/0f0856ca-caf0-4427-a92a-bd7e5355a769
PNG are in the FIFA series Sri Lanka
Vanuatu are in the FIFA Series Saudi Arabia.
Seems a great initiative by FIFA to give smaller countries from the likes of Oceania a rare chance for matches outside their confederation. 

PNG 0-0 verus Sri Lanka. No Tommy Semmy.
https://www.flashscore.com/match/fZaTPXj5/#/match-summary/lineups

coochiee

PNG 0-0 verus Sri Lanka. No Tommy Semmy.
https://www.flashscore.com/match/fZaTPXj5/#/match-summary/lineups

Am so glad to see the rest of OFC play and not lose.  I think most of them should have higher rankings then they have but like us do not play enough to get up there. New Caledonia, Tahiti, Vanuatu and the Solomons should all be 100-130/140.

First round of Nation's Cup on Fifa+ too. So glad I don't have to search for dodgy streams to watch footie from the A League, NZ and OFC anymore.

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/how-to-watch-ofc-mens-nations-cup-2024-qualifying/

Marto

coochiee

PNG 0-0 verus Sri Lanka. No Tommy Semmy.
https://www.flashscore.com/match/fZaTPXj5/#/match-summary/lineups

Am so glad to see the rest of OFC play and not lose.  I think most of them should have higher rankings then they have but like us do not play enough to get up there. New Caledonia, Tahiti, Vanuatu and the Solomons should all be 100-130/140.

Vanuatu lost 6-0 to Guinea

Croatia beat Tunisia 5-4 on pens after 0-0 full time. Croatia dominated the stats. So we are playing tunisia on Wednesday.

Croatia v Tunisia
Full match here on You Tube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp8huWDtFcI
Lineups and match starts at about 46 mins in.
Watch it before it's no doubt removed for copyright infringement!
Arabic commentary but the full game is there.

Just edited my above post because the first link I posted didn't have the full match.
I've changed it to include a better link wtth the whole thing.......
         ____________________________________________________________________
13 minutes extended highlights if you don't have time for the whole match:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmnNz3kaNz4 

Marto

coochiee

PNG 0-0 verus Sri Lanka. No Tommy Semmy.
https://www.flashscore.com/match/fZaTPXj5/#/match-summary/lineups

Am so glad to see the rest of OFC play and not lose.  I think most of them should have higher rankings then they have but like us do not play enough to get up there. New Caledonia, Tahiti, Vanuatu and the Solomons should all be 100-130/140.

Don't share your optimism... Sri Lanka are really bad. When other OFC teams beat or draw teams that aren't terrible (ie like someone that might be able to qualify for the Asian Cup) I'll be impressed

Must be a strong chance the Tunisians run out a 2nd string completely changed side against the AWs.

NZ with extra day's rest, and Tunisia with the late finish against Croatia. Did they play ET?  Even if was pens after only 90 mins, must have been well past midnight finish in Cairo. Presumably they had their strongest available lineup against the Croats.

coochiee

Marto

coochiee

PNG 0-0 verus Sri Lanka. No Tommy Semmy.
https://www.flashscore.com/match/fZaTPXj5/#/match-summary/lineups

Am so glad to see the rest of OFC play and not lose.  I think most of them should have higher rankings then they have but like us do not play enough to get up there. New Caledonia, Tahiti, Vanuatu and the Solomons should all be 100-130/140.

Vanuatu lost 6-0 to Guinea

True but when did Vanuatu last play a competitive match? 

Guinea will have played in every window and likely have pro players in Europe. 

The more chances like this they get, the more they will improve, helping their best become pros along the way.

Marto

coochiee

Marto

coochiee

PNG 0-0 verus Sri Lanka. No Tommy Semmy.
https://www.flashscore.com/match/fZaTPXj5/#/match-summary/lineups

Am so glad to see the rest of OFC play and not lose.  I think most of them should have higher rankings then they have but like us do not play enough to get up there. New Caledonia, Tahiti, Vanuatu and the Solomons should all be 100-130/140.

Vanuatu lost 6-0 to Guinea

True but when did Vanuatu last play a competitive match? 

Guinea will have played in every window and likely have pro players in Europe. 

The more they get chances like this they get, the more they will improve, helping their best become pros along the way.

They had the Pacific Games back in Nov-Dec. But likely a long time since they played anyone close to Guinea’s standard

But they also played in that same India tourney last June we once played in. A 1-0 loss to India and 1-0 win over Mongolia

.

The AWs opponents in September Mexico, had a 1-0 win over Jamaica in the Copa America. Jamaicans with their chances including disallowed goal in a tight offside call.

Mexico (ranked 15th) apparently not playing that well, so chance of a upset in September. Especially if we are close to full strength and they run out more a 2nd XI. They play Canada only 3 days after us, so surely will mix and match their starting lineups.
 
Saturday, September 7 vs. New Zealand in Pasadena, California
Tuesday, September 10 vs. Canada in Arlington, Texas

Latest FIFA rankings are out and AWs have slipped to 3 spots to 107th. Obviously rankings done pre the OFC Nations Cup. Next update is 18th July.
https://inside.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men

NZ playing USA in September:

https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2024/06/us-mens-national-soccer-team-to-face-canada-new-zealand-panama-in-kansas-city-cincinnati-austin

Marmot

NZ playing USA in September:

https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2024/06/us-mens-national-soccer-team-to-face-canada-new-zealand-panama-in-kansas-city-cincinnati-austin

Winner gets custody of Tyler Boyd?

RR

Marmot

NZ playing USA in September:

https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2024/06/us-mens-national-soccer-team-to-face-canada-new-zealand-panama-in-kansas-city-cincinnati-austin

Winner gets custody of Tyler Boyd?

the child that no-one really wanted.

Marmot

NZ playing USA in September:

https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2024/06/us-mens-national-soccer-team-to-face-canada-new-zealand-panama-in-kansas-city-cincinnati-austin

Looks like that'll be a good window then with 2 high quality opponents.

Good to see these windows with decent fixtures for the All Whites becoming more frequent

Fair play to NZF, you can't fault for them for the regualr quality opponents they have found for the AWs each window since March last year (China at home).

Also great to get Stateside for some games, knowing that the 2026 WC will be in North America. After this September window it's OFC WC qualifying in Oct, Nov & March 2025.

Lets face it based on the current OFC Nations Cup, with a 2nd string AWs, we are going to coast through WC qualifying - even if the semi final & final next March are one off games not in NZ (they yet could be).

After that maybe some more North American games in 2025 in the leadup to 2026. Canada should be looking for a match or two, not being involved in CONCACAF WC qualifying. No harm in playing the Mexicans & Americans again. 

The All Whites have locked in their second game of the September international window and are set to face @FIFAWorldCup 2026 co-hosts @USMNT 🇳🇿🇺🇸

🆚 USA
📍 Cincinnati, Ohio
📅 10 Sept [local] / 11 Sept [NZ]

📖 Read more at https://t.co/wbmwgkdao4 pic.twitter.com/3x3YGiTe1P

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 25, 2024

theprof

RR

Marmot

NZ playing USA in September:

https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2024/06/us-mens-national-soccer-team-to-face-canada-new-zealand-panama-in-kansas-city-cincinnati-austin

Winner gets custody of Tyler Boyd?

the child that no-one really wanted.

Boyd’s done reasonably well right? 

Pro career in Turkey and the US. Probably a more direct player than Just or McCowatt. If he was with NZ he’d get minutes in most AW games, if not a guaranteed start. He’s not done as well as Boxy, but very few have. 

I'd say he'd be almost a locked in starter for the AWs, and a real shame for us he jumped ship. Who knows he could have been the guy to unlock Costa Rica. He can whip in a great cross, as well as that fast run on goal.

But was his decision to change nationalities, and he seems unlikely to ever play in a World Cup now, looking well out of USMNT contention. Though he's fairly new at his current MLS club Nashville, still getting to know how they play etc according to their coach.

Half a Pint

Marmot

NZ playing USA in September:

https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2024/06/us-mens-national-soccer-team-to-face-canada-new-zealand-panama-in-kansas-city-cincinnati-austin

Looks like that'll be a good window then with 2 high quality opponents.

Good to see these windows with decent fixtures for the All Whites becoming more frequent

Mexico lost to Venezuela today 1-0 in California. Copa America.
Mexicans with a narrow 1-0 win over Jamaica in game 1.

Sense a chance (a chance) of an AWs upset in September, esp if the Mexicans run out a 2nd string lineup. Again they play Canada only a few days after NZ.

Our other opponent in Sept, suffer a shock upset loss at their home Copa America.
US go down 1-2 to Panama in Atlanta.

Big factor was the sending off of Tim Weah in only the 18th min (0-0)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/06/28/south-america/copa-america/panama/united-states-of-america/4275159/

Last time these 2 teams met in March 2022, USA won 5-1, which meant AWs got to play Costa Rica rather than Panama in the big Playoff game. 

Both Panama & the USA are now on 3 pts. Uruguay about to kick off against lowly Bolivia should go to 6 pts. Only top 2 teams go through to the quarters. Likely makes the Americans last pool game against Uruguay must win.

0-0 at HT between Mexico (3 pts, GD 0) & Ecuador (3 pts, GD +1), in Arizona. The Mexicans being the AWs next oponents in September. Must win for Mexico to make the Copa America quarters.

0-0 in the other simultaneous pool game between Venezuela (6 pts) & Jamaica (0 pts).

https://us.soccerway.com/international/south-america/copa-america/2024-ecuador/group-stage/group-b/g18373/

Mexico could only manage a 0-0 draw. So Ecuador go through on GD.
In the other game Venezuela looking impressive. Three 2nd half goals to beat Jamaica 3-0, and top the group with 3 wins. 

Scoring goals a problem for the Mexicans. Only 1 in 3 pool games.

USA with the tough ask of needing to beat Uruguay tomorrow. Otherwise like their fellow 2026 WC hosts, they will likely go out in the pool stage.

Canada have gone through to the quarters.

75 mins in and Uruguay lead the US 1-0 in Kansas City. Luis Suraez still going at 37, on the pine for Uruguay. See that master coach Marcelo Bielsa is their gaffer these days.

in the simultaneous pool game, Panama lead Bolivia 2-1 in Orlando. So as things stands, the US like Mexico ain't advancing to the quarters.

https://us.soccerway.com/international/south-america/copa-america/2024-ecuador/group-stage/group-c/g24577/

So yipe Uruguay win 1-0, and the US despite hosting the tourney are out in the group stage of the Copa America. Going down to 10 men and losing to Panama in the prior group game very costly.

Panama (3-1 winners) over Bolivia join the Uruguayans in the quarters.

Will be a bit of worry at US Soccer. Same Mexico FA. They won't want to fail to get out of their Groups at the 2026 WC. Might see some changes to both teams when they play the All Whites in September.

Though being the 2026 host nations they will get favourable WC seedings, plus after the 48 team group stage (12 groups x 4 teams) there will be a Round of 32. So the 8 best, 3rd placed teams to go into that Round, alongside the top 2 teams in each pool. It would have to go seriously wrong for any of the 3 host nations not to at least make the Round of 32.

No such worries for Canada who are through to play Venezuela in the Copa America quarters.

Draw for OFC World Cup qualifying (Oct & Nov FIFA windows) apparently to happen next Thursday according to commentator at the U19 OFC tourney.

coochiee

Draw for OFC World Cup qualifying (Oct & Nov FIFA windows) apparently to happen next Thursday according to commentator at the U19 OFC tourney.

Hopefully that will come with venues as well

The draw is actually this Thursday

📖 READ | Here are all the details for the Oceania FIFA World Cup 2026 ™ Qualifying Preliminary draw taking place in Zurich on Thursday. ⚽https://t.co/YzXRtffyY0

— Oceania Football Confederation (@OFCfootball) July 15, 2024

I feel like the best outcome in OFC's eyes would be for AW's to banana skin against Fiji or Solomons and then punch above their weight to somehow make it out of the inter confed tournament down the line.

As much as I would like some more competitive games against meaningful opposition. I don't think my heart could stomach the AW's not qualifying directly now that the world cup door has finally been opened to us. At least not this first time around.

The format is certainly disappointing.

There doesn't need to be sudden death semis and final (not even over two legs) when you have 11 teams in the confed and a four year cycle to conduct qualifying. There's not a pandemic this time.

A weakened AWs have just won the OFC Nations Cup very comfortably in Vanuatu, without conceding a goal.

Shouldn't be anything to fear come next March, even if both the one leg semi final & final are staged in one of the Island Nations. 

Not when some or all of Boxall, Stamenic, Bell, Garbett, McCowatt, Singh and Wood will strengthen the side.

coochiee

A weakened AWs have just won the OFC Nations Cup very comfortably in Vanuatu, without conceding a goal.

Shouldn't be anything to fear come next March, even if both the one leg semi final & final are staged in one of the Island Nations. 

Not when some or all of Boxall, Stamenic, Bell, Garbett, McCowatt, Singh and Wood will strengthen the side.

Until OFC pull another fast one. And hold the tournament outside a Fifa window. Like they just recently did with a women's comp.

Ranix

coochiee

A weakened AWs have just won the OFC Nations Cup very comfortably in Vanuatu, without conceding a goal.

Shouldn't be anything to fear come next March, even if both the one leg semi final & final are staged in one of the Island Nations. 

Not when some or all of Boxall, Stamenic, Bell, Garbett, McCowatt, Singh and Wood will strengthen the side.

Until OFC pull another fast one. And hold the tournament outside a Fifa window. Like they just recently did with a women's comp.

I know its a stupid question but when does one of these OFC comps get held in NZ again?

Talk that pool games (first round qualifying)  in either Oct or Nov windows will be held in NZ

The March 2025 semi finals and final could also yet be held in NZ

I think is zero chance those last games won’t be held in a FIFA window. NZF would have a strong case with FIFA if they weren’t. 

We find out Thursday 

OFC WC qualifying draw (happening at FIFA HQ in Zurich) to be streamed from 7pm tonight.

The main interest at this stage will be the announcement of the venues. Big bonus if is NZ for the March knockout games. Based off history the Solomons probably the toughest place to have those matches.

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/fifa-headquarters-to-host-ofc-preliminary-draw-for-the-fifa-world-cup-2026/

Based on the men’s FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking of July 2024, the four lowest-ranked teams – Samoa, Cook Islands, American Samoa and Tonga – will compete in round one’s knockout match format (7-10 September) in Samoa to decide which of the quartet joins the seven highest-ranked sides in the second round.

The draw will see those eight countries split across three pots. They will then be drawn into two groups of four, beginning with Pot 3 working and through to Pot 1.

Each country will play every opponent in the group once in matches staged in October and November 2024, with the top two teams from each group progressing to round three.

In March 2025, the four teams will meet in semi-final ties (Group A winners vs Group B runners-up, Group B winners vs Group A runners-up). The victors of those matches will then go head-to-head for the first-ever guaranteed ticket to a FIFA World Cup for an OFC nation.

Pot allocations for the second preliminary round draw

Pot 1
New Zealand
Solomon Islands

Pot 2
Fiji
Tahiti
New Caledonia
Vanuatu

Pot 3
Papua New Guinea
Winner round one

image.png 122.38 KB

Wow we definitely got the easier group. So what's the hosting situation again, nothing seems to be clear about March?