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Join our Fantasy SRP leagueAll Whites to face heavyweights England in World Cup warm-up
Sport Nation • February 12th, 2026 8:12 am
All Whites | Photo: Photosport
The All Whites will ramp up their FIFA World Cup preparations with a glamour clash against England.
New Zealand are set to meet the fourth-ranked Three Lions in south Florida on June 7 (NZ time), just 10 days out from their tournament opener against Iran in Los Angeles.
It will mark the highest-ranked opposition the All Whites have faced in 17 years, with Darren Bazeley’s side currently sitting 85th in the world.
For head coach Bazeley, the fixture presents the ideal final examination before football’s biggest stage.
“England are one of the favourites and packed with world-class players,” Bazeley said.
“This gives us a final opportunity to really test ourselves at the highest level. We want our players exposed to that calibre of opposition so we can collectively find solutions against top teams.
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“It’s a great occasion, but more importantly it’s a critical part of our preparation leading into the World Cup.”
New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell said securing a match against one of the sport’s heavyweights reflected the federation’s long-term international strategy.
“First and foremost, this game provides the performance challenge the team wanted to ensure they’re in the best possible place heading into the tournament,” Pragnell said.
“But we also know Kiwis relish the chance to face England in any sport. It’s a fantastic addition to our schedule and highlights the work that’s gone into playing consistently across every international window, increasingly against top-tier nations.”
Before departing for the United States, the All Whites will host two fixtures at Eden Park as part of the FIFA Series 2026 — taking on Finland on March 27 and Chile on March 30.
Kick-off time and venue details for the England match are yet to be confirmed.
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