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2026 All Whites International Fixtures

308 replies · 19,496 views
7 days ago · edited 6 days ago · History
Still no update on whether the rumoured China and Turkmenistan games will happen?
I imagine a squad will be named sometime in next 2 weeks?

I'd guess at something like the below. Just 2 ALM players, so as not to disrupt pre season prep at ALM clubs.

Possible Sept-Oct window 22 man squad

Goalkeepers: Crocombe, Paulsen, Woud
Defenders: Old, Wilkins, Bindon, Surman, Boxall, Stanger, Elliott, Payne
Midfielders: Bell, Dibley-Dias, Parker-Price, Stamenić, Singh
Forwards: LBS, McCowatt, Just, Randall, Waine, Wood

Out injured - Cacace, Garbett. Max Mata
Assuming Unavailable - most of the ALM guys and Thomas. Potentially Dibley-Dias who is looking to build his club career.

Possibilities -
Pijnaker & Tuiloma if Surman & Boxall are both unavailable (MLS playing through some of the window)
Nikko Kirwan or Dane Ingham if Auckland would rather Elliott is not released.
Tzanev or Sims if Auckland would rather Woud not released.

Wild card selections
Skipe Ukich, Moses Dyer and Kyle Adams if Boxall would rather stay with Minnesota as the MLS gets to the business end.

MLS is not pausing for the entirety of the combined September–October 2026 FIFA international window. Only from September 21st – October 6th.
 It maybe that both Boxall and Surman are unavailable for the 2 games in Japan (1st & 5th Oct).

If the China and Turkmenistan games happen, I'd be in favour of some ALM guys travelling to China for those two matches, and then returning downunder ie not going on to Japan.
Thinking some of - Gray, Hughes, Pijnaker, Vicelich, Tuiloma, FDV, McGarry, LKH, Sheridan, Howieson, Rufer, Bayliss, Gillion, Rogerson, Walker, Gibson & Piper.

No one likes to see AWs selection 'cheapened' but most of the above ALM guys have already been capped. 
At this very early stage of the AWs cycle it's very useful to spread the net and experiment.
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Endorsed by
PK
7 days ago
I hope Luke Brooke Smith gets called up. 
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Endorsed by
du
7 days ago · edited 7 days ago · History
I'd say it's almost certain he will be. 

Garbett injured. Barba with his WC shirts put out to pasture. AFC reluctant to release Rogerson. Old being picked and solely played as a full back with Libby likely out.
Them being 4 attackers that were in the WC squad.

I'd agrue that LBS deserves to be picked ahead on Waine now anyway, if the AWs were more near full strength.

Then you have the ALM guys still in pre season mode, and their club coaches a bit reluctant to release them so close to A League kicking off.
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Endorsed by
duPK
7 days ago
Time to start looking for the future.

Wouldn’t be selecting the likes of Boxall for these type of games.

Auckland will rise once more

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7 days ago
Highly doubt Boxall being selected would result in a deserving player missing out on a call-up. Pijnaker, Tuiloma & Hughes shouldn't be picked as they aren't in-season, Smith definitely shouldnt be picked, so who else is there apart from Bindon, Surman & Stanger who would miss out? 


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Endorsed by
coochiee
7 days ago
imanixsupporter wrote:
Highly doubt Boxall being selected would result in a deserving player missing out on a call-up. Pijnaker, Tuiloma & Hughes shouldn't be picked as they aren't in-season, Smith definitely shouldnt be picked, so who else is there apart from Bindon, Surman & Stanger who would miss out? 


 
Which is why I wouldn't be shocked if Kyle Adams got picked. Last selected for the AWs in March 2023 (China) I think. He's better than the USL (but not good enough for the MLS) however with his partner a fringe US women's national team player, he'll likely never play outside the US.

Minnesota play Sept 27th & then Oct 11th. They are in a tight race for a MLS playoff spot with the likes of Surman's Portland. Is the travel and two friendly games in Japan that attractive to Boxy?

If Minny's season is over come November he might target the two games in NZ verus India, as a fitting place to play his final AWs matches and then retire.
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Endorsed by
PK
6 days ago · edited 6 days ago · History
I think the games in Japan are likely to be up there with the most competitive we will play, outside of the next World Cup. It’s also a genuine competition- a win in the first game will put you in the final. 

Who knows? It might be the kind of retirement game Boxy is looking for. 

Wait and see I guess. 


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6 days ago · edited 6 days ago · History
So All Whites playing two games in China is being pretty widely reported. Below article from August 28th.

Wonder if Bazeley turning up to watch the Nix verus Olympic was a sign, these 2 extra AWs games will happen and so a few of the Nix guys might get called up.
Baze to chat with Greeny about what players, and how long they would be away for?

I see the Socceroos are currently only down to play 2 games in this combined Sept-Oct window. Brazil twice in Oztraylia.   

https://www.footballpalestine.com/p/china-football-association-announces

Last month, the China Football Association (CFA) announced it was withdrawing from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup in order to contest a friendly tournament of its own. The southwestern city of Chongqing was set to play host to the tournament and the list of invitees included Palestine, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and North Korea.

The details of the tournament were never confirmed and it was then announced that Uzbekistan would play against Iran and South Korea in the next window instead.

This morning,a new lineup was announced for the tournament. One that excluded Uzbekistan and Korea DPR with Turkmenistan and New Zealand taking their place.

The fixtures of the tournament are now as follows:

Match Day 1: 24 September 2026 (Thursday)
17:30: Turkmenistan vs New Zealand
19:35: China vs Palestine

Match Day 2: 27 September 2026 (Sunday)
19:35: China vs New Zealand

Match Day 3: 28 September 2026 (Monday)
17:30: Palestine vs. Turkmenistan

Match Day 4: 2 October 2026 (Friday)
17:30: Tajikistan vs Palestine
19:35: China vs Turkmenistan

Match Day 5: 6 October 2026 (Tuesday)
19:35: China vs Tajikistan

You might notice that Palestine will not play New Zealand and nor will Tajikistan for that matter. This is due to the fact that the All Whites will travel to Japan in October to participate in the Kirin Cup. They will contest two matches there: against Panama and the winner of Japan/Ecuador.
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Endorsed by
PK
6 days ago · edited 6 days ago · History
Good. Turkmenistan and China, I'll take that. Could be the first time any NZ football team gets to play Turkmenistan, something different. The more All Whites matches the better. Time to fix the goalkeeping and defence after the World Cup. & of course play Luke Brooke Smith, Owen Parker Price and others, for the future.
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6 days ago
Odd that those games still aren't confirmed by NZF when they are this close
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Endorsed by
PK
6 days ago
coochiee wrote:
Still no update on whether the rumoured China and Turkmenistan games will happen?
I imagine a squad will be named sometime in next 2 weeks?

I'd guess at something like the below. Just 2 ALM players, so as not to disrupt pre season prep at ALM clubs.

Possible Sept-Oct window 22 man squad

 
Goalkeepers: Crocombe, Paulsen, Woud
Defenders: Old, Wilkins, Bindon, Surman, Boxall, Stanger, Elliott, Payne
Midfielders: Bell, Dibley-Dias, Parker-Price, Stamenić, Singh
Forwards: LBS, McCowatt, Just, Randall, Waine, Wood

Out injured - Cacace, Garbett. Max Mata
Assuming Unavailable - most of the ALM guys and Thomas. Potentially Dibley-Dias who is looking to build his club career.

Possibilities -
Pijnaker & Tuiloma if Surman & Boxall are both unavailable (MLS playing through some of the window)
Nikko Kirwan or Dane Ingham if Auckland would rather Elliott is not released.
Tzanev or Sims if Auckland would rather Woud not released.

Wild card selections
Skipe Ukich, Moses Dyer and Kyle Adams if Boxall would rather stay with Minnesota as the MLS gets to the business end.

MLS is not pausing for the entirety of the combined September–October 2026 FIFA international window. Only from September 21st – October 6th.
 It maybe that both Boxall and Surman are unavailable for the 2 games in Japan (1st & 5th Oct).

If the China and Turkmenistan games happen, I'd be in favour of some ALM guys travelling to China for those two matches, and then returning downunder ie not going on to Japan.
Thinking some of - Gray, Hughes, Pijnaker, Vicelich, Tuiloma, FDV, McGarry, LKH, Sheridan, Howieson, Rufer, Bayliss, Gillion, Rogerson, Walker, Gibson & Piper.

No one likes to see AWs selection 'cheapened' but most of the above ALM guys have already been capped. 
At this very early stage of the AWs cycle it's very useful to spread the net and experiment.
I wouldn't mind seeing Noah Dupont in the squad being doing well in the U21s on the bench for the West Brom a few times now. Even Troy Putt, more for the experience around the camp.
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Endorsed by
PK
6 days ago · edited 6 days ago · History
I think for guys like that, the target is the 2028 LA Olympics. Starting with OFC Olympic qualifiers next year (NZU22s).

That's the pathway leading to eventual AWs selection if good enough. That and moving out of youth club football into senior club contracts somewhere. Dupont debuts for West Brom and yes he immediately comes into the AWs frame. Just like Bindon quickly did with Reading less than 2 years ago.

In March 2023, the AWs played China at the same time as the NZU22s played China U22s. Players moving a bit between the two squads and training together for the experience. That might happen again next year if NZF have some AWs home games.
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Endorsed by
HuPK
6 days ago
imanixsupporter wrote:
Odd that those games still aren't confirmed by NZF when they are this close
Not hugely surprising when they don’t list any fixtures at all for our age-group men and women, despite them being collectively involved in three international competitions this week.

Maybe things are just a bit busy at NZF HQ right now?
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Endorsed by
PK
6 days ago
Owen Parker Price is 27 now. If Ryan Thomas is hurt, have him in the team instead. Got to be a more regular option now, he deserves a few years of regular call ups. Recently got a better rating last month overall than him and Joe Bell. 
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5 days ago
imanixsupporter wrote:
Odd that those games still aren't confirmed by NZF when they are this close
who cares, better than no games.
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5 days ago
I wonder if dear leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow will be there? The All Whites have been around despots the likes of Trump and Infantino already. Would be quite the sight seeing him up the back with Kim Jong IL glasses on. 
Surely the All Whites would get a good result in that match? 
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3 days ago
Very happy with the Christchurch All Whites v India ticket sales this early on. Let's see what the squad will be. People on here seemed to think heavily A League since it's here and lower ranked India. Bidois, Piper, Walker, Hughes? 
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3 days ago
PKB wrote:
Very happy with the Christchurch All Whites v India ticket sales this early on. Let's see what the squad will be. People on here seemed to think heavily A League since it's here and lower ranked India. Bidois, Piper, Walker, Hughes? 
I would expect the squad for September-October to have more ALM players than Coochie was guessing above – somewhat a case of needs must, also different to last year with the window not running right up against round one. The minutes in legs players will get are probably better for them than what they'd get hanging around Albany/Trentham, especially when they'll still have a full week heading into round one.

I'd then expect November to have more ALM players still – but not absurdly so. Just the standard Bazeley practice of not making guys fly a long way for no reason. Don't believe there will be any sort of widespread reluctance from top guys – ie core World Cup squad members – to make the trip, but we'll get a better sense of that next week.
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Endorsed by
PK
3 days ago · edited 3 days ago · History
The opportunity to play a rare ChCh AWs game, at sold out sparkly new Te Kaha in November a likely attraction in itself. 

The likes of Bell and Surman who grew up in Canterbury, would put their hands up you would think. Depending on injury niggles, and their club schedules.

I guess Baze is also partly auditioning for the coaching role longer term. I'm sure the WC review will carry the greatest weighting, but not beating India won't help his chances. So he will want to have a reasonably strongest squad. Or will a coaching decision be made by NZF before that Nov window?
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2 days ago · edited 1 day ago · History
Palestine (95th) ranked only slightly lower than China (91st).
Going to be a very interesting squad selection.
 
Split squad? ie a number of young mostly ALM guys for the 2 games in China only?

Only 13 days until first match against Palestine 24th Sept, so squad naming early next week?
https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/170128?newsfeedId=1275608

Head coach Darren Bazeley believes the four games represent a nice, varied blend of different fixtures for the squad as they look to play their first matches since the FIFA World Cup 2026.

“This window could see us face teams ranked from the 90s right up to 17th in the world, so it’s a really good mix of challenges, which is great for the squad to have these different opportunities, straight after the World Cup.

“Having four games gives us a great chance to give good game time and opportunities to a wide range of players, including players from our recent World Cup squad, some players from our wider squad who missed out on that selection, and an opportunity to see some of our younger players integrate into the environment.

“These should be four interesting games for us, so I’m really looking forward to getting this squad together, getting back out on the pitch, and giving the players the opportunity to push themselves forward and show their abilities.” 
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Endorsed by
Half a PintSouthernixtheprof
1 day ago
I guess the interesting thing will be how many Nix players get a callup. Baze was at the last Nix preseason game. Probably seeing if Rufer is 100%. Apart from that ??? Maybe one of our CBs. Billy T of course missed the WC but is he still in the mix?
I suspect that might be it. Fine by me as i would rather Greenie had them to work on for next months AL start.
I suspect Auckland will have a bunch of players called up
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Endorsed by
PK
about 22 hours ago · edited about 22 hours ago · History
Will be question marks over how much involvement Surman & esp Boxy have in this FIFA window. MLS is not pausing for the whole window, and both Minny & Portland are in a tight playoff race re Western Conference spots.

So yeah Tuiloma and/or Hughes may get picked. Bazeley may also pick an enlarged squad with a bit of chopping & changing between the first 2 games in China & then 2 matches in Japan. If so Sheridan, LKH, Piper, Gray & even Walker (esp with LBS now out) could all be a chance.

Baze has hinted some fringe, and younger players outside the 26 man WC squad are going to be picked.
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Endorsed by
PK
about 19 hours ago · edited about 19 hours ago · History
Walker getting picked would really cheapen the All Whites shirt.

Excited to see Hughes get a chance. 

Edit: Is Ben Gibson still a chance, or has he turned NZ down? 
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about 19 hours ago
Was never on Baz’s white board depth chart.

So I’m thinking he turned us down.

Auckland will rise once more

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about 18 hours ago · edited about 18 hours ago · History
imanixsupporter wrote:
Walker getting picked would really cheapen the All Whites shirt.

Excited to see Hughes get a chance. 

Edit: Is Ben Gibson still a chance, or has he turned NZ down? 
Walker realistically will be targeting the Olywhites and 2028 LA Olympics like many others in the U23 age cohort.

But with LBS out he’s a slim chance for this window if Baze does go with an enlarged squad. And there has been far worse players to get an AWs cap. Hughes yes a strong chance you feel depending on availability of various other CBs
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Endorsed by
PK
about 17 hours ago
With Luke Brooke Smith hurt, could Stipe Ukich get a chance? He's had under 20s nz before. & scored his first goal for his Croatian club in a cup game this month. 
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