Since those times, it’s generally something that has been impossible to arrange. Uefa teams have packed schedules, with World Cup qualifying, European Championships qualifying and (recently) Nations League matches. And when there is a gap, it’s not feasible financially, as NZF would have to cover all travel costs including business class flights for the touring party. That has obviously been out of reach but the Fifa series changes the equation, as the costs are shared by the world governing body.
“There’s a possibility we’ll see a Uefa nation travel down to play in this series, which will be phenomenal,” NZF chief executive Andrew Pragnell told the Herald. “[Generally] when we are trying to arrange matches one of the real challenges with our geography is bringing a Uefa nation down to New Zealand. It has not been financially possible and there’s been a reluctance unless they’re all flying business class. But with the Fifa series and the support we get around that, there’s a good chance we’ll see a Uefa nation.”
Europe is the hot bed of the sport, with the biggest clubs and the strongest nations, aside from the big two or three in South America. Twenty six of Fifa’s top 50 nations are drawn from there, including nine of the top 15.
For the All Whites it would be a rare opportunity and an ideal litmus test. There is also expected to be an African team here in March, with the other nation drawn from the three remaining confederations (Asia, North America or South America). The exact format has yet to be decided but NZF are likely to opt for a group stage (playing two other teams) rather than semi-finals followed by a final and a third place playoff.
“We’ll get discretion on that, which is a really important point,” said Pragnell. “Whether it is a semi into a final, or more like a points table. My view is you certainly want to give the coach the prerogative to make those decisions and that’s a good outcome for us.”
The Fifa series proposal was first conceived in December 2022, as a way for teams from different confederations to have more games against each other, especially countries outside Europe. Held every two years in the March window, Fifa assists with financial support and organisation of each tournament.
New Zealand took part in the inaugural series in 2024, playing a pilot event in Egypt alongside Croatia, Tunisia and the host nation. The All Whites lost 1-0 to Egypt in Cairo, then drew 0-0 with Tunisia, before losing the resultant penalty shootout 4-2.
In 2024 there were six series held across the world. There were only four Uefa teams involved and one South American side, with the rest drawn from elsewhere (10 African teams, five Asian countries, three Oceania teams and two Concacaf teams) but there is expected to be greater variety representation from the two powerhouse confederations this time, with World Cup qualifying commitments concluded for most countries.
The 2026 edition will see nine separate tournaments staged, in Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Puerto Rico, Rwanda and Uzbekistan, as well as this country.
“The key for us is making sure we are going to get tested,” said Pragnell. “There is still a bit of water to go under the bridge but there will be different confederations represented and we are very confident they will be high quality teams. We are pretty excited about who could be coming.”
All Whites vs UEFA opposition in New Zealand since 1980
1991 v England: Auckland, Wellington
1986 v Soviet Union XI: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Napier, Gisborne
1982 v Hungary: Auckland, Christchurch
Michael Burgess has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.
