NZ Football has confirmed the All Whites will meet Mexico in September, as they continue to seek games against top-50 teams in the build-up to the 2026 World Cup.
The NZ men will face the Mexicans, ranked 15th in the world, at the Pasedena Rose Bowl Stadium in California on September 8 (NZ time).
New Zealand last faced Mexico at the same venue in 2010, losing 2-0 in front of 90,000 fans from across the border.
"Should we qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026, we are going to be playing sides that are higher ranked than us and this game - especially taking place in front of a likely huge crowd, which will predominately be supporting Mexico - in one of the countries the tournament will be happening in, is a brilliant test for us," said All Whites coach Darren Bazeley.
"Not many of our squad will have played in an atmosphere like we can expect to see in this game and it will give us a great taste of what the FIFA World Cup 2026 could feel like, which is no better incentive heading into our qualifying games in October and November. "
The 103-ranked All Whites will contest a four-team tournament in United Arab Emirates later this month, facing Egypt (No. 36), and either Croatia (10) or Tunisia (41). In the past 12 months, they have faced China (88), Sweden (26), Qatar (37), Congo (63), Australia (23), Greece (49) and Republic of Ireland (62).
"We will likely have another game still to be announced in this window, but we are now in a fortunate position of having the 2024 schedule locked in with the W Cup alongside Egypt, Croatia and Tunisia this month, followed by the OFC Men’s Nations Cup in Vanuatu, Olympics in July, this game in September, and FIFA World Cup qualifying in October and November," said Bazeley.
"We want to take every step to make sure we are as prepared as possible come qualifying and this match schedule should put us in the best place to perform."
