New Zealand's Finn Surman and Vanuatu's Alex Saniel (OFC Men's Nations Cup 2024 final, New Zealand v Vanuatu, VFF Freshwater Stadium, Port Vila, Sunday 30 June 2024). Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz
All Whites to play in Hamilton for the first time ever - FIFA World Cup Qualification Campaign
On Friday November 15 the All Whites meet Vanuatu in Hamilton in an Oceania Qualifier, continuing on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup™.
For the first time in FIFA World Cup™ history, Oceania has a guaranteed qualification spot. The 2026 FIFA World Cup™, to be hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will feature 48 teams for the first time – expanded from the previous 32.
Not only is there a guaranteed spot, but the runner-up will also have an opportunity through the FIFA Intercontinental Playoff Tournament.
The All Whites, fresh from their 3-0 win over Tahiti on October 11, face a Vanuatu side who came away with a 4-1 victory against Samoa in their opener.
The two sides met twice earlier this year, in the OFC Nations Cup. New Zealand came away with a 4-0 win in the group stage, and they met again in the final, with the All Whites coming out champions after a 3-0 win on June 30th.
New Zealand's Liberato Cacace and Vanuatu's Timothy Boulet (OFC Men's Nations Cup 2024 final). Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.phototek.nz
All Whites
It's been 14 years since New Zealand have been to a men's FIFA World Cup. The All Whites famously beat Bahrain on 14 November 2009 in the second leg of a two-legged play-off to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
In a group with Slovakia, Italy, and Paraguay, they were undefeated - but three draws were not enough to get out of the group.
More recently, New Zealand have failed to advance from playoff matches against Mexico (2014), Peru (2018), and Costa Rica (2022).
The All Whites first went to the FIFA World Cup in 1982 in Spain.
Path to Qualification
The OFC qualification process is explained here:
Currently in Round 2, with eight teams in 2 groups, the top two teams from Group A will be back in New Zealand in March 2025 for Round 3 – the semi-finals and finals – along with the top two teams from group B.
Qualification Groups and Fifa Rankings
Group A
| Group B
|
All Whites v Vanuatu
FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifier
FMG Stadium Kirikiriroa / Hamilton
Kickoff: 7.30pm Friday, 15 November
Tickets: Ticketek
Adults $20 / Children $5
SPECIAL OFFER: Buy 9 tickets, get the 10th free: Use the code Club24
Article added: Tuesday 05 November 2024
