All Whites, Ferns, and other international teams

2025 All Whites International Fixtures

128 replies · 9,287 views
11 Sep 21:05
I saw on Sky Sport DE that the International Match Calendar from next year is changing, where they are merging the September and October windows, so they run longer and for four matches instead of two. The March, June and November windows are staying as two.

Thinking of the implications for home games, it could become a bit harder, as it might be difficult to bring multiple teams down and playing the same team four times seems unlikely. There would be the possibility of doing two games more spaced out, allowing greater training time, but NZF may want to maximise the number of games available. Obviously start of a new World Cup cycle so top-level opposition not as important, and would be first post-World Cup window as a 'welcome home', similar to Honduras/Paraguay in 2010.

It could mean trying to work with Australia to bring a couple teams down to play - ie we play Team A twice and Aus play Team B twice then we swap? Four team mini-comp where everyone plays each other, then a final, like that one in India in 2018? 
11 Sep 23:07
That is an interesting development, and yes not sure if it will make it easier or more difficult to get teams to visit NZ.

NZF trying to work in with FA does yes make some sense re a little 4 Nation tourney.

But that could only happen Sept-Oct 2026. From 2027 onwards the Socceroos will be busy with either Asian Cup qualifiers or AFC World Cup 2030 qualifiers.
14 Oct 23:59 · edited 15 Oct 02:38 · History
The matches will be even tougher in November.
Red hot Colombia (FIFA ranking 13th) & Ecuador (24th).

This window
Ecuador drew 1-1 verus the USA in Austin.
They play Mexico in Guadalajara later today

Colombia beat Mexico 4-0 a few days ago in Dallas.
They are about to kick off against Canada in New Jersey.


15 Oct 05:42
1-1 draw in Guadalajara between Mexico & Ecuador.
15 Oct 13:02 · edited 15 Oct 13:03 · History
FYI - Ivory Coast who the AWs beat in June, qualify for the World Cup without conceding a goal in qualifying.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c5ypwvp04nko

Elsewhere, Franck Kessie gave Ivory Coast an early lead against Kenya in Group F and teenager Yan Diomande fired in to double the lead after the break.

Manchester United's Amad curled in a fine free-kick to give the Elephants a 3-0 victory in Abidjan.

That result meant the reigning continental champions finished a point ahead of Gabon, who saw off Burundi 2-0 in Franceville after late goals from Bryan Meyo and Mario Lemina.

The Ivorians, who return to the World Cup finals for the first time since 2014, went through the entire 10-game group campaign without conceding a goal, one of two nations on the continent to do so alongside Tunisia.

Ivory Coast and Senegal join Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde and South Africa in booking their ticket to next year's World Cup finals.

One more side - the winners of next month's continental play-offs - could join that group if they emerge from an inter-confederation tournament in March next year.
18 Oct 07:25
AFCON in January is going to be crazy
23 Oct 02:51 · edited 23 Oct 02:55 · History
Down to 85th from 82nd.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/10/23/all-whites-slip-in-fifa-mens-world-rankings-after-latest-international-friendlies/

Socceroos unchanged at 25th, so on the cusp of being in Pot 2 for the December WC draw.

I think all teams who will still have qualifying playoffs next March after the December draw, will fall into Pot 4??
That almost certainly be the case with a high ranked team like Italy (9th).

https://inside.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men