2025 All Whites International Fixtures

Get yourself to Canberra

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360684631/all-whites-lose-ukraine-despite-marko-stamenic-goal

What’s next

The All Whites will return to action in the September international window, where they are expected to play Australia for the Soccer Ashes, with the first match away, likely in Canberra on the fifth, and the second match at home, likely in Auckland on the ninth.

We can beat those last 2 teams 

coochiee

Get yourself to Canberra

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360684631/all-whites-lose-ukraine-despite-marko-stamenic-goal

What’s next

The All Whites will return to action in the September international window, where they are expected to play Australia for the Soccer Ashes, with the first match away, likely in Canberra on the fifth, and the second match at home, likely in Auckland on the ninth.

They are then set to play Poland and Norway in Europe in October, though only the latter match has been officially announced. They will then round out 2025 with a pair of friendlies in North America in November, though not against North American teams.

Sounds like  Sth American teams Stateside in November. Though sadly not Lionel and friends. But that would cover off all the other Confeds re different opponents pre December's WC draw.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360720058/all-whites-still-searching-attacking-answers-one-year-out-fifa-world-cup-return

A week ago Bazeley and co had 12 matches to try to find that answer.

Now they have 10, with September’s matches set to be followed by two extremely tough ones away to Poland and Norway in October and the year to finish with two in North America in November – likely against South American nations, but not the most famous ones.

All Whites – key dates on road to FIFA World Cup

September 1-9: Home-and-away matches v Australia (to be confirmed)

October 6-14: Matches v Poland and Norway in Europe (Poland match to be confirmed)

November 10–18: Two matches in North America, likely against South American opposition

December: FIFA World Cup draw

coochiee

Get yourself to Canberra

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360684631/all-whites-lose-ukraine-despite-marko-stamenic-goal

What’s next

The All Whites will return to action in the September international window, where they are expected to play Australia for the Soccer Ashes, with the first match away, likely in Canberra on the fifth, and the second match at home, likely in Auckland on the ninth.

They are then set to play Poland and Norway in Europe in October, though only the latter match has been officially announced. They will then round out 2025 with a pair of friendlies in North America in November, though not against North American teams.

Bring it to Welly!

Hoping that Chris Wood skips the September window, seeing as his body can't withstand the travel. We absolutely need him at his physical best when the World Cup comes around. That March trip cost Forest the Champions League and also cost us the ability to use him in this window. Travel within Europe and to North America in October & November much more manageable. 

Tend to agree. With Forest still to be apparently under some Financial Fair Play trade restrictions (limits the number of new players they can bring in), plus European football (they should go deep in the Conference League) the Woodsman may carry a heavy club workload this coming season.

If Ryan Thomas is going to be allowed to skip the Sept window before an AWs return, why not captain Wood. Let Barba, Waine, Mata and maybe even Dyer audition for the WC striker backup spots.

Only thing is it sounds like it will be the Socceroos in September. NZF will be more keen on that than Football Australia. The Socceroos last played a non AFC team nearly 2 years ago now (AWs at Brentford). Poppa will be dead keen to have them play big teams from other Confeds, as much as possible before June 2026. Just like NZF wanted the AWs to play Ivory Coast & Ukraine.

Truth be told in the 3 recent Trans Tasman games (Suncorp, EP & Brentford), the Socceroos have done it easy. Even with a 2nd string outfit at EP. AWs no goals & barely a shot on target. We are ranked 86th. Them 24th. Those 3 games were in some Australian football quarters, seen as a bit of a waste of time/valuable window.

I think NZF would need to promise a full strength AWs lineup (ie the squad in Toronto), for Football Australia and Poppa to agree to the Sept games. 

Agree, I doubt that the Aussies would agree to having two games against little NZ unless we said we were going to pick a full strength side. 

Wood will be there.

To be frank these are also the friendlies that they will most want to win.

Nonsense. Having games be subject to certain players appearing is for when countries like Saudi Arabia, China etc pay millions in appareance fees to have friendly games with Brazil or Argentina. Those teams agree to such terms because of the money they get. 

NZF are a notoriously cheap date. They are just happy to be there. That is why we get the games we do. We charge little or nothing to show up. There is no justification for a team like Australia to have such terms when they wouldnt be paying for such priviliges. 

No idea what nonsense you are saying

I was however taking about NZ wanting to win the games if you were confused 

Maybe get chatGPT to summarise what I said if you have reading comprehension issues

ChatGPT was confused about your cheap date.

To put it in context however. Australia has agreed to a date because it likes the tinder profile of Christopher Wood.

No Wood, no date, 

To be fair, neither of us (well, I certainly don't) have inside knowledge about negotiations between FA and NZF, but I personally doubt there would be anything specific about a Chris Wood appearance. Probably a generic expectation that "full strength sides" or similar appear, but such clauses have no legal weight as they are entirely subjective. Chris Wood could at any point say he is struggling with a niggle and medical advice was to not fly 30,000 kilometres and FA could do nothing about it and wouldnt kick up a fuss about it. 

It sounds like you now agree with nonsense I wrote above

Good on you 

You said (implicitly at the very least) that Chris Wood will be there because NZF would have to promise he would be to be able to get games with the socceroos. That is what I disagree with.

I hope it is something that Chris & the All Whites coaching staff at least consider, having him not travel in September if skipping it could help him and us in the long term, in the exact same way that Surman skipped the March window and Ryan Thomas is always skipping windows

AucklandPhoenix

No idea what nonsense you are saying

I was however taking about NZ wanting to win the games if you were confused 

Hes basically stating that when countries do a four team comp, NZ gets invited as they are a cheap/free invitation. That's why we tend to play games above our level.

I agree 100% too.

If all the talk about Thomas here is serious, he has to be in the next camp. 

He's played with very few in the current side and hasn't played a single game of Baz ball. I'd rather have an XI that knows each other and how they play, then a squad of legends that have never played together and are thus shark on the park. 

If all goes to plan he will starting from October have 3 windows + World Cup warmup games to get integrated in, and it isnt like someone like Singh who he could replace in the starting team is putting in the sort of performances that would make him undroppable. 

imanixsupporter

If all goes to plan he will starting from October have 3 windows + World Cup warmup games to get integrated in, and it isnt like someone like Singh who he could replace in the starting team is putting in the sort of performances that would make him undroppable. 

I agree about Singh, but not sure about Thomas either. I feel he’ll be broken (injured) again before that window.

Marto

imanixsupporter

If all goes to plan he will starting from October have 3 windows + World Cup warmup games to get integrated in, and it isnt like someone like Singh who he could replace in the starting team is putting in the sort of performances that would make him undroppable. 

I agree about Singh, but not sure about Thomas either. I feel he’ll be broken (injured) again before that window.

 me and a mate both agreed october best time to call up Thomas. Europe games so little travel, he will have had a couple of months of club football plus preseason to ensure he is fit and in the groove.....or perish the thought, expose any fumdamental fitness/injury issues

imanixsupporter

You said (implicitly at the very least) that Chris Wood will be there because NZF would have to promise he would be to be able to get games with the socceroos. That is what I disagree with.

I hope it is something that Chris & the All Whites coaching staff at least consider, having him not travel in September if skipping it could help him and us in the long term, in the exact same way that Surman skipped the March window and Ryan Thomas is always skipping windows

I agree that Wood skipping the Sept window, could longer term be a good thing.

Commitment to the cause 🇳🇿🫡

Six Kiwis rank among the top ten most-travelled men’s footballers worldwide this season ✈️

📊 @FIFPRO pic.twitter.com/iIK18nSaBl

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 18, 2025

coochiee

imanixsupporter

You said (implicitly at the very least) that Chris Wood will be there because NZF would have to promise he would be to be able to get games with the socceroos. That is what I disagree with.

I hope it is something that Chris & the All Whites coaching staff at least consider, having him not travel in September if skipping it could help him and us in the long term, in the exact same way that Surman skipped the March window and Ryan Thomas is always skipping windows

I agree that Wood skipping the Sept window, could longer term be a good thing.

Commitment to the cause 🇳🇿🫡

Six Kiwis rank among the top ten most-travelled men’s footballers worldwide this season ✈️

📊 @FIFPRO pic.twitter.com/iIK18nSaBl

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 18, 2025

There will a fair few complementary first class tickets between that lot. A number may well have permeant top tier airline memberships too, likely with One World airlines.

I wish the confederation cup was still a thing...

Edit: but for now the Soccer Ashes will have to do. Roll on September!

Pity it's not a weekend game - I wonder if we get a 50/50 cut on gate takings, otherwise it's a little unfair on NZF?

Regardless I am a lock - the only question is whether or not I take a personal day on the Wednesday to recover?!

See that Ecuador are playing Mexico and USA in a couple of friendlies in October. They are one of the Sth American teams the All Whites could face in November.
https://www.primicias.ec/deportes/ecuador-amistosos-fecha-fifa-octubre-mexico-estados-unidos-98451/

The president of the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF), Francisco Egas, announced that the Ecuadorian national team will play two friendlies during the FIFA World Cup in October.

These will be against the Mexican and United States teams , respectively. The manager confirmed that the first match will be in Guadalajara, "and then we'll move on to the United States," he said.

Sounds like sadly it won't be either of the big two - Brazil or Argentina.

Argentina (1st), Ecuador (2nd) and Brazil (3rd) are already qualified with one round of CONMEBOL qualifying to go

 
Uruguay (4th, 24 pts), Paraguay (5th, 24 pts), Colombia (6th, 22 pts) are basically also through.
Venezuela (18 pts, 7th) and Bolivia (17 pts, 8th) in a fight for 7th and the Inter-confederation play-offs spot.

So seems AWs will likely face two from Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, Venezuela or Bolivia in November.

The 7th placed team maybe looking to play us, as preparation to potentially playing New Caledonia in Inter-confederation play-offs next March.

All Whites – key dates on road to FIFA World Cup

September 5-9: Home-and-away matches v Australia

October 6-14: Matches v Poland and Norway in Europe (Poland match to be confirmed)

November 10–18: Two matches in North America, likely against South American opposition

coochiee

Sounds like it will be the Socceroos in September home and away.

And maybe some big name teams in Nth America in November. Have we ever played Argentina?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360651972/60-weeks-go-how-all-whites-road-2026-fifa-world-cup-shaping

To be confirmed, but I just read two South American articles that said that the All Whites are supposed to be playing Colombia on Nov. 15 in Miami and Ecuador on Nov. 18. 

Canada is hosting Ecuador in Toronto on Nov. 15 so that lines up. Those would be two very good friendlies IMO. Hopefully they're official soon.

(we are once again following you and playing Australia in October after you have them in September. We keep playing the same opponents and not each other).

Canadians obviously a bit scared to play little ole NZ.
Well done NZF.

https://www.infobae.com/colombia/deportes/2025/06/25/la-seleccion-colombia-tiene-listo-su-calendario-de-amistosos-para-las-fechas-fifa-hasta-2026-enfrentara-a-campeona-del-mundo/

The first match will be scheduled for November 15 in Miami against New Zealand, a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. The team will then return to New Jersey to play against the Nigerian Green Eagles on November 18, according to the journalist.


https://www.ole.com.ar/ecuador/la-tri/calendario-seleccion-ecuador-amistosos-jugara-luego-elimiantorias_0_qo08Qql5xm.html

According to Olé Ecuador, La Tri could face Canada (another of the organizers) and New Zealand (also a World Cup qualifier). These two friendlies would take place during the November FIFA World Cup (from the 10th to the 18th) and would also be played in the United States.

We'll wait for the tournament proper coochiee...

Another report of AW v Ecuador: 
https://x.com/DiegoArcos14/status/1943715956926058582

I would assume NJ means the former Red Bull Arena, home of Red Bulls NY.

Juneof86 I am of course less than serious. Canada are looking very strong, you must be quietly a bit excited about your chances. A good chance of making the knockouts. Though I see you were knocked out of the Gold Cup by Guatamela on pens. Playing half the game with 10 men obviously hurting you.

Cross fingers the AWs draw USA from Pot A. They seem far less confident than their northern or southern neighbours. 

Anyway for the AWs in November looks like will be Colombia in Miami, and Ecuador in New Jersey. The 2nd game could be a little chilly.

I knew you weren't serious coochie. And I just find it kind of amusing that we're going to play all of the same teams in the run-up to the tournament and not face each other.

You're never happy to lose a competitive match, but I actually think it's maybe for the best we lost. The expectations for 2026 were wildly out of control. Now, the public and media seem to be panicking after the loss and are really down on the group which seems wildly disproportionate in the opposite direction. Canada has 9 wins, 7 draws and 3 losses since the start of the Copa America a year ago. That's a great 12 months by any measure, particularly for us and in the context of who we've played. This summer answered some of the depth questions and the squad is almost totally settled 11 months before the tournament. There's a few starting roles to be won, but on the whole I like where we are right now. Having said that, Canada has played six World Cup games and lost them all and whether it is the World Cup, Confederations Cup or Copa America, goals have been very hard for us to come by historically, so I see no reason for overconfidence. But we'll see what the draw holds.

I think the Americans should be fine at the World Cup, but I am also curious how much stock Pochettino puts in the Gold Cup. Because I think American fans expect that only a 7-8 of those players will be in the squads moving forward, but I wouldn't be shocked if it's closer to 15-16 that retain their spot as the more established bench players that under-performed early in his tenure are jettisoned. But then if the players that emerged at the Gold Cup struggle in the fall friendlies, what does Poch do then? 

I am sure once we get to the draw, Canada will be the seeded team everyone is hoping to get grouped with. I can't argue with that sentiment.

So for the next squad I feel like the following will need to happen:
- Garbett out. He hasn't played for ages. Not fair he's taking a spot.
- Rogerson to take his spot. 
- Thomas a chance? 
- Dejong to get a run? We don't have anyone really behind Wood. Waine and Mata not up to much. 

All the intel is Thomas will make himself available for two friendlies in Europe in the October window. Focus on starting the new Eredivisie season well, and injury free then fingers crossed a few months into that with Zwolle he puts his hand up. 

If Waine starts the L2 season half decent, with Port Vale he'll be picked. Mata likely needs a few goals with Northampton to make the squad.

De Jong did well at Stellenbosch in Cup & CAF games - but that included some questionable opposition. His stats in the PSL league were fairly average. Plus he's not a pure striker. 

However is a chance Waine and/or Mata maybe unavailable for September. League Two will play through the FIFA window, and they are both at fairly important junctions in their club careers (esp Waine) trying to nail starting spots. Could depend on whether PV & Northampton can reschedule their games in that window. 

It's too early to rule Garbett out. He could have a club by next week.

Really nothing much new here, that hasn't already been rumoured/leaked before.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360765689/all-whites-set-finish-2025-playing-five-teams-ranked-worlds-top-40-fifa

The draw for the World Cup is set to be made in early December and the All Whites will finalise their plans for friendlies next March and June once it is complete, with NZ Football hoping to be able to host a send-off fixture.

The All Whites squad for the two matches against Australia for the Soccer Ashes – a historic trophy that was rediscovered ahead of their last meeting, in London in October 2023 – will be named in mid-August.

I think we should bring Stanger in over Smith.

The game could feature a showdown between New Zealand's all-time men's leading goalscorer, Chris Wood (44 international goals), and Poland's all-time top scorer Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski, who currently has 85 goals for his country.

The match will take place five days before the team faces fellow European side Norway (FIFA rank 33) at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360775332/chris-wood-ends-trans-tasman-goal-drought-all-whites-lose-socceroos-again

NZ Football is expected to confirm matches against world No 14 Colombia in Miami and world No 25 Ecuador in New Jersey for the November international window.

Plans for the March international window will only be confirmed after the FIFA World Cup draw is made on Friday, December 5 (6am Saturday, December 6 NZ time) at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

NZ Football will explore bringing the All Whites home next March or when the World Cup release period begins at the end of May next year, but securing quality opposition for a home fixture will be a challenge, so it is possible Chris Wood and co have just played their last match on home soil before the showpiece event kicks off next June.

x.com/NZ_Football/status/1965991946515566776

Colombia and Ecuador officially announced for the last window of the year. Good fixtures for the boys, and it will be great for them to be playing in a somewhat similar climate that they'll be playing in next year.

Looking back, and ahead, 2025 has given us one of the best annual fixture lists in many years, arguably since 2010. I know friendlies don't compare to FIFA World Cup playoff games against the likes of Mexico, Peru, Bahrain etc, but this has turned out to one hell of a year!

2025 Fixtures
Fiji
New Caledonia 
Ivory Coast 
Ukraine
Australia
Australia
Poland
Norway
Colombia
Ecuador

Yipe, hats off NZF. 

And thanks to OFC for making WC qualifying so short and quick. Definitely a bonus.

JamesBo

I think we should bring Stanger in over Smith.

Boy’s a unit!