New Zealand players celebrate after Matt Garbett scores a goal against Ireland. 2023. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
More international fixtures have been confirmed for the All Whites, with the team to take part in the new Canadian Shield tournament, taking place in Toronto, Canada this June.
The All Whites will play Côte d'Ivoire on 8 June (NZT), followed by Ukraine on 11 June (NZT).
Both will be stern tests for New Zealand with Côte d'Ivoire 46th in the FIFA world rankings, while Ukraine are 25th.
New Zealand's current ranking is 89.
Both games will take place at BMO Field in Toronto which will also host games during next year's FIFA World Cup.
All matches will have a winner and games will go directly to penalties after 90 minutes (plus injury time).
Should the All Whites win the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 - Oceania Qualifiers, the games will form part of the crucial build up programme of fixtures, as well as providing a taste of playing in a tournament in one of the 2026 host cities.
Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER
"We have looked to put in place a programme of games so that should we qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026, we will have faced a range of opponents in the build up, and both Côte d'Ivoire and Ukraine will provide a real test for us, which is exactly what we want," coach Darren Bazeley said
"It will also be a great opportunity to be part of a tournament played in another one of the host countries to give us a taste of what we could face in 2026 if we win our qualification games this month."
New Zealand faces Fiji in the semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 - Oceania Qualifiers this Friday in Wellington, with the winner qualifying for the final, against the winner of the New Caledonia v Tahiti second semi-final, on Monday next week at Eden Park in Auckland.
Should the All Whites win it will see New Zealand at the men's FIFA World Cup for the first time in 16 years.
