India set for New Zealand tour during FIFA match window

The Indian men's football team will tour New Zealand for two FIFA International Match Window friendlies on November 12 and 15. The tour marks India's first-ever visit to New Zealand, with head coach Khalid Jamil calling it a valuable challenge for the squad

Hyderabad: The Indian men’s national team will travel to New Zealand for two friendly matches against the hosts on November 12 and 15, 2026, during the FIFA International Match Window.

The first match will take place at Go Media Stadium in Auckland, while the second will be held at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch. The matches were announced as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to New Zealand and will form part of a series of sporting events to celebrate ‘100 Years of Unity Through Sport’ between the two nations.

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India and New Zealand have faced each other on two previous occasions – a goalless draw in the 1981 Merdeka Tournament in Malaysia and a 2-1 victory for the visitors in the 2018 Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai.

The tour will mark the Indian men’s national team’s first-ever visit to New Zealand and its first trip to an OFC member nation since 2005, when India played two international friendlies against Fiji.

New Zealand recently participated in the FIFA World Cup 2026, where they drew with IR Iran and lost to Egypt and Belgium.

India head coach Khalid Jamil said, “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.”