All Whites To Host India

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced that the Indian men's national team will travel to New Zealand for two international friendly matches during the FIFA International Match Window this November.

This tour marks a historic milestone for the Blue Tigers, as it will be their first-ever visit to New Zealand and their first trip to an Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) member nation since playing Fiji in 2005. The matches were announced as part of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to New Zealand, celebrating ‘100 Years of Unity Through Sport’ between the two countries.

The two-match series kicks off at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on Thursday, November 12, followed by the second fixture at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch on Sunday, November 15.

India and New Zealand have met only twice before on the international stage. Their first meeting resulted in a goalless draw at the 1981 Merdeka Tournament in Malaysia, while their most recent encounter saw New Zealand secure a 2-1 victory during the 2018 Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai.

The hosts present a high-caliber challenge, coming off an appearance at the FIFA World Cup 2026, where they secured a draw against IR Iran alongside competitive matches against Egypt and Belgium.

India head coach Khalid Jamil expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming test, noting: "It is always a positive experience to face teams that compete at the highest level. New Zealand are a well-organised side with recent FIFA World Cup experience, and playing away from home against them will be a valuable challenge for our players. We are looking forward to the matches." Credit - All India Football Federation