With two marquee fixtures against two of the best sides in the world secured, the All Whites may now struggle to field anywhere near their top side in November.
Football NZ has confirmed the national team will face World Cup semi-finalists England at Wembley Stadium on November 13, a month after facing world No.1 Belgium.
But the challenge to turn up with a competitive team will be as great, if not harder than one they'll face on the park.
Coach Danny Hay is incredibly excited that the blockbuster fixtures have been confirmed, telling Newshub: "It doesn't get any better than this."
But he's also wary that the squad that turns out against the two European giants won't feature his best XI.
Only European-based players will be available, with Major League Soccer confirming it won't release any internationals for friendlies based outside North America.
"The MLS, as an organisation, has come out and said they're not releasing players for international duty," says Hay.
His predicament will likely be compounded by the lack of A-League players as well, with quarantine rules and uncertainty around the start of the new season likely proving a hurdle too high to manage.
That could create problems in some positions - particularly on defence.
"The experience lost of Michael Boxall, Winston Reid and Bill Tuiloma would be problematic. Remember, we're coming up against the best teams in the world and some of the best players in the world," says Hay. "I might have to come out of retirement - I have considered that.
"Na, not really!" Hay jokes.
All jokes aside, he can't afford to lose anyone else,
"That's a real concern."
Meaning New Zealand Football HQ is busy weighing up its options - including the possibility of pulling out of the glamour clashes.
"We think that the October window and the bookings around that, we'd have to make a decision around that at the very latest at the end of next week," chief executive Andrew Pragnell tells Newshub.
If they can get it all sorted, the All Whites will get the chance to face 'Three Lions' for just the third time in their history - but for the first time at England's home of football.
"I think, for the players, it becomes a defining game in their career," former All White Fred de Jong says.
"Playing at Wembley - to play there against a full England team is a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
