A busy year of international action for OFC’s Member Associations wraps up this November, with four senior men’s national teams in action.
New Zealand say goodbye to their departing head coach as they play their first home matches since returning from their FIFA World Cup 2026™ campaign, whilst Tahiti and the Cook Islands renew acquaintances in their second consecutive two-match series, and Tonga return for the first time in two years with a development tour of Auckland, New Zealand.
We’ve taken a closer look at all four national teams in action and the storylines to watch out for.
All Whites return home for Bazeley’s final bow
New Zealand Head Coach Darren Bazeley will bid farewell after four years in charge when the All Whites host India in two matches this month.
Having taken charge on an interim basis in March 2023 before being permanently appointed that July, Bazeley has overseen a memorable period for New Zealand football, including the All Whites’ return to the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and their OFC Men’s Nations Cup 2024 triumph. He has also previously coached the nation’s U-17, U-20 and U-23 sides, becoming the first head coach in history to lead teams at the FIFA U-17 World Cup™, FIFA U-20 World Cup™, Men’s Olympic Football Tournament and FIFA World Cup™.
The fixtures will serve as New Zealand’s first on home soil since the World Cup, with the first match to be played at Go Media Stadium in Auckland, and the second at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch.
The All Whites’ return to Christchurch will mark their first appearance in the city since October 2012, when they defeated Tahiti 3-0 in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match, and their first match anywhere in the South Island since a dramatic 2-1 victory over New Caledonia in Dunedin in March 2013.
New Zealand are coming off an encouraging September-October international window, where they reached the final of the Kirin Cup in Japan, and recorded a convincing 3-0 win over China. Bazeley’s squad is significantly different this time around though, with the Wellington Phoenix trio of Corban Piper, Nathan Walker and Matthew Sheridan set to make their senior national team debuts.
Nevertheless, the All Whites will start as favourites to win both matches against India, who are ranked exactly 50 places below them in the FIFA World Rankings, in a window that promises to be emotional for various reasons.
Match Schedule
New Zealand v India (Match 1)
Thursday 12th November, 7pm local time
Go Media Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
New Zealand v India (Match 2)
Sunday 15th November, 4pm local time
One NZ Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand
Tahiti and Cook Islands renew rivalry following historic upset
Six weeks after locking horns in a two-match series in Rarotonga, the roles reverse this month when Tahiti welcome the Cook Islands for two more international friendly meetings.
The Cook Islands produced one of their nation’s greatest results at senior men’s national team level with a famous 3-2 victory over Tahiti in the second of the two matches on home soil last time out, and will be eager to prove that that breakthrough was no fluke.
In his second international window in charge, Rhys Ruka will be without influential captain and defender Ben Mata, who scored twice in the historic victory but is absent from the Cook Islands’ latest 18-man squad.
In contrast, Tahiti will be seeking redemption in front of their home fans, in what will be their first set of home international fixtures in over three years.
New coach Joël Fréchet is also in just his second window in charge of the side and is currently overseeing a rebuilding process, integrating younger talent and developing a new identity as Tahiti prepare to host the Pacific Games next year.
Tahiti holds a commanding historical advantage, having won 11 of the 12 meetings between the two nations, but the Cook Islands’ recent breakthrough has certainly added further intrigue to their November rematch.
Match Schedule
Tahiti v Cook Islands (Match 1)
Friday 13th November, 6pm local time
Tahiti, French Polynesia
Tahiti v Cook Islands (Match 2)
Monday 16th November, 6pm local time
Tahiti, French Polynesia
Tonga return after lengthy absence
More than two years after their last international fixture against Samoa during FIFA World Cup 2026™ qualifying, the Tongan men’s national team return this month with a tour of New Zealand to play four Auckland-based club sides.
Whilst none of their matches will be considered full internationals that apply to their FIFA ranking points, the tour will provide valuable experience as Tonga prepare for competitive action during OFC Men’s Nations Cup 2028 – Qualifying in the Cook Islands and the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti next year.
The Tu’ulalupe will be coached by Timote Moleni, who returns for a second stint in charge of the national team after previously leading them for eight years between 2015 and 2023.
Moleni’s squad features 26 players, including six who play their club football domestically in Auckland, presenting an opportunity to develop combinations and identify regular national team players for future campaigns.
Their tour started with a difficult 0-11 defeat to Northern League club East Coast Bays AFC, but they still have three matches to gain valuable experience, build confidence and test themselves against quality New Zealand club opposition.
Match Schedule
East Coast Bays AFC 11-0 Tonga
Tuesday 10th November, 6:15pm local time
Auckland, New Zealand
Mangere United v Tonga
Friday 13th November, 6:30pm local time
Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland City FC U-23 v Tonga
Monday 16th November, 7:30pm local time
Auckland, New Zealand
Western Springs AFC v Tonga
Wednesday 18th November, 7pm local time
Auckland, New Zealand
Feature image Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek