Indian football team to tour New Zealand for two-match friendly series
The Indian men's football team will travel to New Zealand for a historic two-match friendly series during the November 2026 FIFA international window, with the fixtures forming part of celebrations marking 100 years of sporting ties between the two nations.
The Indian men's football team will travel to New Zealand for a historic two-match friendly series in November 2026, with the fixtures forming part of celebrations marking 100 years of sporting ties between the two nations.
The matches, announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to New Zealand, will be played during the November FIFA international window. India will face the FIFA World Cup-bound All Whites at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on November 12 before travelling to Christchurch for the second match at the newly built One New Zealand Stadium on November 15.
The Christchurch fixture will be the first football match officially confirmed at the new venue, adding further significance to the tour.
For India, the series offers another opportunity to test themselves against World Cup opposition as the team continues its preparations for upcoming international assignments. For New Zealand, the matches will mark the All Whites' return to home soil following their campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The opening match will be held at Go Media Stadium, home of A-League Men champions Auckland FC, while the second encounter will introduce international football to Christchurch's state-of-the-art stadium.
India and New Zealand have met only twice in men's international football. Their first meeting ended in a goalless draw in 1981 before the All Whites secured a 2-1 victory when the sides met again in 2018.
New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell said bringing the national team back to Christchurch had been a priority ever since plans for the new stadium were finalised.
"We have long stated that once the stadium was open, it was an absolute priority to bring the All Whites back to Christchurch," Pragnell said.
"One New Zealand Stadium is an incredible facility, so it is going to be amazing to see it packed with thousands of Cantabrians supporting the team."
All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley said the fixtures would allow his side to reconnect with supporters after the World Cup while providing another valuable international challenge.
"It was brilliant to see the fans supporting us in North America at the FIFA World Cup, and it meant a huge amount to the team," Bazeley said.
"It is great to bring the players home for two big games in front of Kiwi crowds."
The Indian men's football team will travel to New Zealand for a historic two-match friendly series in November 2026, with the fixtures forming part of celebrations marking 100 years of sporting ties between the two nations.
The matches, announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to New Zealand, will be played during the November FIFA international window. India will face the FIFA World Cup-bound All Whites at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on November 12 before travelling to Christchurch for the second match at the newly built One New Zealand Stadium on November 15.
The Christchurch fixture will be the first football match officially confirmed at the new venue, adding further significance to the tour.
For India, the series offers another opportunity to test themselves against World Cup opposition as the team continues its preparations for upcoming international assignments. For New Zealand, the matches will mark the All Whites' return to home soil following their campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The opening match will be held at Go Media Stadium, home of A-League Men champions Auckland FC, while the second encounter will introduce international football to Christchurch's state-of-the-art stadium.
India and New Zealand have met only twice in men's international football. Their first meeting ended in a goalless draw in 1981 before the All Whites secured a 2-1 victory when the sides met again in 2018.
New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell said bringing the national team back to Christchurch had been a priority ever since plans for the new stadium were finalised.
"We have long stated that once the stadium was open, it was an absolute priority to bring the All Whites back to Christchurch," Pragnell said.
"One New Zealand Stadium is an incredible facility, so it is going to be amazing to see it packed with thousands of Cantabrians supporting the team."
All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley said the fixtures would allow his side to reconnect with supporters after the World Cup while providing another valuable international challenge.
"It was brilliant to see the fans supporting us in North America at the FIFA World Cup, and it meant a huge amount to the team," Bazeley said.
"It is great to bring the players home for two big games in front of Kiwi crowds."
