NZF previously claimed it would take games to Christchurch once the new stadium was complete - i.e. a send-off game before the World Cup in June. Now they won't get anything until after the world cup hype dies off and it will be a low-profile November friendly against a 100+ ranked Asian team. That's if they keep their word this time.
https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/147361?newsfeedId=1223399&newsfeedPageNum=19
https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/147361?newsfeedId=1223399&newsfeedPageNum=19
I suspect FIFA will be dictating that all June friendlies just prior the WC have to be played in North America or nearby. Citing player welfare, travel loads etc etc. Bearing in mind most of our squad will be finishing up their club seasons in Europe, and then maybe going straight into a camp somewhere in the Northern Hemisphere.
NZ just too far away from the World Cup host nations, to have June matches in Aotearoa.
But you'd hope any AWs friendlies in NZ post the big dance could be as soon as the September window.
Yipe way too much Auckland bias for hosting AWs games, but the compressed nature of FIFA windows and long travel to & from NZ to Europe/USA doesn't make it easy.
Didn't Chris Wood leave the Socceroos Mt Smart game and head straight to the International Airport, last time the AWs were in NZ?