All Whites set to play in November FIFA window. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The All Whites have locked in a match against Ireland in Dublin in November as part of New Zealand Football's commitment to get the side playing in every FIFA window.
The two teams last faced each other four years ago, in November 2019, with the Irish side winning 3-1 after the All Whites opened the scoring through Callum McCowatt.
The match will be played on 22 November NZT and is the second currently announced European fixture that the team will play following the match in London on 18 October NZT against Australia for the Soccer Ashes trophy, the first time the trophy has been contested in nearly 70 years.
New Zealand Football is also in discussions for more All Whites games in Europe for October and November.
"This match is another good game against a strong opposition, continuing to deliver on the plan to play in every available FIFA window, giving us the best possible preparation ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers" All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley said.
"Another tough test for us to start to really see where we are and if we're getting closer to being able to compete at this level, which I think we are, but we obviously need to move towards becoming effective as well in these games."
Bazeley said playing games in Europe allowed them extra time together as a team which is "critical" at the start of a new World Cup cycle.
"The players will be happy because they won't have to do much travelling...if we get together on the Monday after their weekend games they'll arrive on Monday because they'll be an hour, two hours, three hours away from the hotel so it makes it a lot easier and it means we can get into training quicker."
