There are actually 5 teams getting together in Chongqing. AWs, China, Palestine, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.
We are only playing the 2 games before flying onto Japan, but the other 4 teams all playing 4 games in Chongqing it seems??
China keen for this little tourney as part of their prep for 2027 Asian Cup (Jan next year).
Maybe NZF said to the Chinese if you want high profile EPL player Chris Wood to turn up, AWs need to play the two best sides (China & Palestine) not the weaker 'stan teams?? Having the Woodsman there will help the Chinese market the tourney esp the NZ v China game.
https://www.footballpalestine.com/p/palestine-set-for-new-zealand-friendly
An official announcement from New Zealand football has confirmed a first ever encounter between Al-Fida’i and the All Whites Sep 12, 2026.
We are only playing the 2 games before flying onto Japan, but the other 4 teams all playing 4 games in Chongqing it seems??
China keen for this little tourney as part of their prep for 2027 Asian Cup (Jan next year).
Maybe NZF said to the Chinese if you want high profile EPL player Chris Wood to turn up, AWs need to play the two best sides (China & Palestine) not the weaker 'stan teams?? Having the Woodsman there will help the Chinese market the tourney esp the NZ v China game.
https://www.footballpalestine.com/p/palestine-set-for-new-zealand-friendly
An official announcement from New Zealand football has confirmed a first ever encounter between Al-Fida’i and the All Whites Sep 12, 2026.
More changes have come for this month’s Chongqing football tournament. The Chinese Football Association (CFA) had been intent on hosting its own tournament for months since July but has shuffled opponents and fixtures for a second time in two weeks.
New Zealand’s participation in the tournament was announced last month but in a twist the All Whites had only agreed to participate in two fixtures.
This was designed so that the team could participate in the Kirin Cup which features the higher ranked Panama, Japan, and Ecuador. China obliged but initially handed the Kiwis an opening fixture against Turkmenistan on September 24th.
China was due to play Palestine on the same date.
It has now been announced that Palestine will play New Zealand on September 24th. China and New Zealand will still meet as planned three days later.
Palestine can still fulfill their fixtures on the 28th (vs. Turkmenistan) and October 2nd (vs. Tajikistan).
The CFA have yet to announce a revised schedule for their national team but it is conceivable that China could play Tajikistan on the 24th and play Palestine on the final match day of October 6th.