Would expect it. What was the timing on the ballot process?rastes
NZ Football email update on the World Cup USD 60 ticket allocation has just dropped in. Demand exceeded their available allocation for the NZF ballot.
From the NZ Football email - We encourage you to continue with your interest via the FIFA ticketing portal using your NZF Access Code, as this will allow you to remain eligible for tickets within New Zealand Football’s allocation. Please note that tickets in Categories 1, 2 and 3 will still be subject to a ballot through this process.
Should any allocations change or further opportunities become available through NZF, we will be in touch to let you know.
Egypt win 3-2, and are through to the semis to play Senegal.
Marmoush and Salah a goal each. Salah the assist for the other goal.
11 min highlights. Bonus Simon Hill on commentary duties! Big crowd, exciting match. Little glimpse of some annoying over acting theatrics by the Egyptians when up 3-1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=furXXtgZld8
Nigeria to meet hosts Morocco in the other semi. Nigeria the only one of the four teams not going to the WC.
Having watched all of Egypts ACON games I dont really rate the AWs chances TBH. They have class players in most positions and world class goal scorers up front. Maybe if we parked the bus and maybe Wood nicked a goal then we could frustrate them but its a big what if. Watching the AWs games recently we have repeated lapses in concentration. Thats instant goals for Salah and co.
Yipe this AFCON is great WC prep for Egypt, and they are starting to now look a bit ominous. Honing combinations over 7 tough games in a tourney format.
Salah may have issues at Liverpool, but he remains their talisman. Meanwhile our EPL captain won't join up with the AWs again, until just prior the WC starting.
In Iran on the other hand, you have complete turmoil, and possible regime change! Theirs is a mostly domestic based squad, and there won't be much football happening there at the moment.
Egypt run at AFCON might backfire at the WC and Iran's issues at home might boost their team to "fight for their people".
A remember a real good coach once saying "AFCON participation in the same year of WC is a big drain on players and their WC performance". Now I cannot remember who said it but it definitely stuck to me.
AFCON players have to go back to their clubs at the most important time of the season. At AFCON teams where playing ever 3 days and for most players (unless they at European giants playing Euro tournaments) that's not normal.
So yes it's possible that the Pheroahs get to WC very tired.
150 days until the WC kicks off. Here in Europe the press are calling this WC to be one of the most contaminated ever. That’s a big call considering Argentina in 1978 and Mussolini in 1934. But it’s hard to keep up with the bad news coming out to this WC. The whole Trump Infantino thing is bad enough but it’s the gross commercialization that his many football groups up in arms.
Ticket prices are hugely inflated. Estimated at 370% higher than Qatar. A fan following their team all the way to the final will need to fork out around $12,000 NZ$’ The promised $21 tickets don’t really exist. Dynamic pricing will further inflate ticket prices
The hotel prices have gone up 320% in host cities. Fan zones will be allowed to charge entry for the first time in any WC. It’s been confirmed that there will be a compulsory stop after 22 mins in each half of the match for water. This will be compulsory at even the matches in the cooler areas. One reason…..Nth American broadcasters want an advertisement break during the game to make more money.
So much for the peoples game. 104 matches in a bloated tournament designed to extract as much money as possible, in a country where most fans will feel uneasy about visiting ( not you Canada and Mexico)
AFCON semi final tomorrow Egypt verus Senegal. Bit of history between these two teams. Senegal qualified for WC 2022 after beating Egypt in a legged CAF playoff in 2022 (went to pens).
Yeah, Egypt conceded from set pieces twice vs Ivory Coast and if my memory serves me right against Benin too??
Having watched a bit of this team, I think we can dominate the stats/game if we're proactive enough. Egypt have been happy to sit back and have less possession in games against SA/Ivory Coast/Senegal, and while I'm aware SA they had a red card and the others are better than us, it seems a common style for them to have 30-40% of the ball and rely on their stars up front.
The question is then whether we can get a result in such a game - would still need to be clinical and to concentrate at the back.
Just watched Senegal beat Egypt 1-0. Senegal dominated the match from start to finish. They had probably 5 shots in in the first 25mins. Egypt defended deep and relied on counter attacks. Lessons for the AWs? If you dominate the midfield you can cut off the supply to Salah and Marmoushe. They had no plan B except trying to hit the front 2. Defensively they were good in this game. They have two decent CDs and they resisted plenty of pressure. If we get the right tactics and selections we could be in the match. Maybe with another body in midfield to stop their transitions and some early balls to Wood to try and catch them out
Just watched Senegal beat Egypt 1-0. Senegal dominated the match from start to finish. They had probably 5 shots in in the first 25mins. Egypt defended deep and relied on counter attacks. Lessons for the AWs? If you dominate the midfield you can cut off the supply to Salah and Marmoushe. They had no plan B except trying to hit the front 2. Defensively they were good in this game. They have two decent CDs and they resisted plenty of pressure. If we get the right tactics and selections we could be in the match. Maybe with another body in midfield to stop their transitions and some early balls to Wood to try and catch them out
Egypt had a fairly active press early in the game, but the skill levels of the Senegalese meant their defensive pattern grew deeper as the game wore on (my take). Well organised at the back.
Salah played full game. Not sure what the point of that was. His 6th match at AFCON. Middle finger to Liverpool? Marmoush came off the pine. Both failed to convert their pens.
The military operation triggered a series of violent events across the state of Jalisco, which is scheduled to host four matches of the 2026 soccer World Cup in June, before spreading to other states such as Michoacán and Guanajuato.
about 2 months ago· edited about 2 months ago· History
Guadalajara will host four matches, including Mexico's second group fixture against Sth Korea.
I was in Mexico 4 years ago. It's not really until you get there that you realise large parts of the country are controlled by narco gangs, and generally unsafe for gringos who can be a target.
Or just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I visited Tulum a popular beachside town near Cancun. Hundreds of tourists walking around yet not many years prior about 4 backpackers were killed sitting in a roadside cafe, after being caught up in the crossfire between two warring gangs.
Still South Africa managed to host the 2010 WC without many incidents from memory.
Scenes of panic unfolded at airports in and the tourist hub of Puerto Vallarta.
A soldier stands guard by a charred vehicle in Cointzio, Mexico.
A vehicle sits charred after being set on fire in Guadalajara.
Social media footage showed travellers fleeing terminals as smoke rose across the region, while Air Canada suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta due to what it described as an ongoing security situation.
What the cartels won't want is the power play violence getting so out of hand, Trump pressures Sheinbaum into allowing US troops/special forces to enter Mexico.
That would be very bad for business, plus yes a few WC fans walking down the wrong street to an untidy end.
Matt Fejos is the founder of the Flying Kiwis, some of the most dedicated - and well travelled - fans in the world.
Flying back to Aotearoa from the UK to watch us qualify for the FIFA World Cup, Matt links up with us for the absolute scenes at Eden Park… pic.twitter.com/PFcDNLEKRF
The New Caledonian domestic league remains suspended due to civil unrest. A massive handicap as they prepare to face Jamaica in Mexico.
Really NC did amazingly well in OFC qualifying, incl giving the AWs a fright at Eden Park - given the problems they have at home.
See that Germain Haewegene is playing with Tahiti United in the OFC Pro League.
Good luck to them in Mexico. Hopefully FIFA helps secure them some warmup games leading in to at least give themselves some decent prep, and a fair shot at upsetting the Reggae Boyz.
Les Cagous stars Mathelon, Ranchain and Haewegene speak to FIFA as the Play-Off Tournament draws ever nearer.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-off Tournament will take place from 26–31 March in Mexico
New Caledonia are aiming to secure one of the remaining spots in the global finals
Jamaica and DR Congo stand between Les Cagous and a first World Cup appearance
In just a matter of weeks, New Caledonian football could experience one of its greatest ever moments. Johann Sidaner’s men stand only two matches away from a historic qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. To qualify, they must first defeat Jamaica and then DR Congo at the FIFA Play-off Tournament, staged in Mexico from 26 to 31 March. It will be a tough ask for the New Caledonia side. They will need to overcome two nations that are firmly established on the international stage, while their own squad is composed largely of amateur players.
To understand how the team are preparing for this decisive test, FIFA spoke with three internationals whose paths reflect the diversity within the squad: Morgan Mathelon, Fonzy Ranchain and Germain Haewegene. Despite being scattered across different islands and continents, and facing various challenges – from a suspended domestic league to playing in mainland France and the newly formed OFC Pro League – they are all united by one common goal.
Having never previously left his home island, Haewegene took a major step in January by signing his first professional contract with Tahiti United in the newly launched OFC Pro League. Since the competition’s inaugural season kicked off in 2026, the forward has embraced the challenge. “The level is high, especially with Auckland FC. We played them and lost 4-0, but we knew the defeat came from our own individual mistakes and we learned a lot," he said.
Back on “Le Caillou”, as New Caledonia is affectionately known, the situation has been very different. “We haven’t had an official match on the island since September as the league was suspended following nationwide events (large-scale riots took place in 2024, plunging the country into crisis),” explained Mathelon, who plays for AS Tiga Sports while also working as a physical education teacher. Although friendly matches have been organised between clubs, the players are feeling the impact of the lack of regular competition. “For the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking about the play-offs every day. We know why we train, but it’s not easy without competition and without seeing the boys regularly.”
Ranchain chose another route to pursue his football, moving to mainland France to join USSA Vertou in the fifth tier of French football in order to improve his game ahead of March’s decisive fixtures. “I had to adapt to the climate, but I was welcomed very well. Playing here allows me to regularly compete at a high level, and I hope I can bring that experience back to the group.”
The squad’s focus is now firmly fixed on the next obstacle between them and the World Cup: Jamaica. A side accustomed to international competition and boasting players from a number of competitive professional leagues, the Reggae Boyz present a daunting test.
“On paper, they’re superior to us,” admitted Mathelon. “We’ll have to be extremely well organised when we don’t have the ball and work hard for each other. And when we do have the ball, we need to play our football without putting pressure on ourselves.” The experienced midfielder knows that in matches of this magnitude, a small amount of luck can go a long way in helping the underdogs to come out on top.
Haewegene has already begun his tactical preparations for the play-offs, watching several Jamaica matches at the request of the coaching staff. “They’re a great team, very solid and compact. We’ll need patience, especially as attackers. Our chances will be limited.” The assessment is realistic, but not defeatist. “If we want to create something special, we’ll have to give everything we have.”
Ranchain shares that pragmatic approach. “They’re very physical and very fast,” the defender noted, while stressing the importance of focusing on their own preparation. “We’re working more on ourselves than on the opponent. We want to be mentally and physically ready, no matter who we face.”
Should New Caledonia overcome Jamaica, DR Congo would await – and beyond that, bigger matches beckon. As the tournament draws closer, the dream feels all the more within reach. Mathelon shared his excitement at the prospect of facing players who compete at the highest levels in Europe. “I don’t know all their names, but I’ve seen that some Congolese players are in Serie A. It’s incredible to think we might face players we usually watch on TV.”
Ranchain also allows himself to think ahead. “If we qualify, we’d be in Portugal’s group. It would be incredible to see those great players. Cristiano Ronaldo… he’s older now, but he’s still there! There are so many top players in that team. But first, we have to get through the play-offs before we can dream bigger.”
In the coming weeks, the squad are expected to reunite in Guadalajara for the final stretch of preparation. But even while they are apart, their bond has never wavered. Across time zones and continents, daily messages, videos and words of encouragement on their WhatsApp group keep the spirit alive. “We’re not just team-mates,” Ranchain said. “We’ve known each other for a long time. We’re like a family.”
Les Cagous will not travel to North America as tourists. They go with ambition, and the hope of returning in June to represent their island, their communities and their families at the FIFA World Cup™ itself, and to write a chapter that, only a few years ago, few would have dared to dream about.
New Caledonia name their squad for big playoff match against Jamaica in Mexico. If they somehow upset the Reggae Boyz (stacked with EPL & Championship players), they then have to beat fellow Francophiles DRC to make the WC. Tough, very tough
Six nations from different confederations converge in Mexico for a knockout tournament that decides the last two spots at the 2026 World Cup. The format splits the six teams into two brackets of three, with each bracket producing one qualifier.
New Caledonia's bracket looks like this:
Semi-final: New Caledonia vs Jamaica, 26 March 2026, Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Plenty of security in Guadalajara before NC's playoff game. A few weeks ago a Narco gang went on bit of rampage in Mexico including Guadalajara , where people ran from gunfire at the Airport!
Still after all the unrest the last few years in NC they probably won't be too fazed.
SELECTION A - NCL | ARRIVAL of Caledonians in GUADALAJARA "under high surveillance" = following the tense context in Mexico, the climate has since calmed down, but the security of the teams remains strengthened for the PLAYOFFS #cagouspirit Arrival of the 1st metropolis group this Sunday morning (2nd group tomorrow) Arrival of the group from Caledonia this Sunday afternoon, Mexico time [in pictures - FCF] Find from this Tuesday [NCL time] a 1st episode "INSIDE CAGOUS - MEXCO 2026" on the FCF TV web #FCFTV
They can call up England-based stars like Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock, Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey and Bobby Reid of Fulham.
Scottish football fans may be familiar with St Mirren’s Richard King, and Welsh supporters will recognise Swansea City’s Jamal Lowe.
Jamaica were close to qualifying automatically for the World Cup but tripped up twice against Curacao, with a goalless draw in the final group match favouring the smaller island nation.
Former England coach Steve McClaren quit rather than carry them through to the play-offs and local coach Rudolph Speid is guiding them through this tournament. This year, he has already led them to a 1-0 victory against Grenada and a 2-0 win over Martinique.
There’s no doubt that the play-off in Guadalajara will be a tough ask for New Caledonia.
They might be one of the best teams in the Pacific, but they are some way behind the All Whites as we saw in the Oceania play-off final at Auckland’s Eden Park last year.
They travelled to Gibraltar last October and came away with a heartening 2-0 win against a side that may have a lowly FIFA ranking but has played most of Europe’s top teams.
New Caledonia head coach Johann Sidaner says Jamaica also have geography in their favour.
“They will have the advantage of the presence of their supporters given the geographical proximity to Mexico,” he told RNZ Pacific.
“Unfortunately, we no longer have a FIFA window, and opportunities to get together are very limited. We will proceed as we did for the OFC qualifiers and approach these play-offs with the utmost seriousness.”
New Caledonia decided to miss the Melanesia Cup in November and have only played a third division French side since.
The winner of this tie will play the Democratic Republic of Congo for a place in the World Cup finals, and whoever wins the semi-final will be the heavy underdogs against the African side.New Caledonia players are preparing for their big match in Mexico. Photo credit: New Caledonian Football Federation.
Poland responded well in the second half to beat Albania 2-1, we had a thriller between Slovakia and Kosovo that saw the visitors win 4-3 to still dream about qualifying for their first-ever World Cup and Viktor Gyökeres got a hat trick for Sweden to win 3-1 vs. Ukraine.
New Caledonia players are preparing for their big match in Mexico. Photo credit: New Caledonian Football Federation.
