Following on from the conclusion of the successful FIFA Women’s World Cup™ 2027 Oceania Qualifiers in April, two OFC women’s national teams are back in action against non-Oceania opposition during the upcoming June international window.
New Zealand start their preparation for the global finals in Brazil with two friendlies in Spain, whilst Fiji look to reset following their failed qualification campaign with a two-game tour of Hong Kong.
Read on below for all the info and fixture details.
New Zealand
Having secured qualification in April, New Zealand begin their preparations for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ this month with international friendlies against both Haiti and Morocco on neutral ground in Spain.
Currently ranked 33rd on the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, the Football Ferns will play 49th ranked Haiti first on Saturday June 6 (NZT) before 62nd ranked Morocco second on Wednesday June 10 (NZT) – both at Estadio El Maulí in Malaga.
It comes after their successful FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ qualification campaign in which New Zealand secured their place at a sixth consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup with 1-0 win over Papua New Guinea in the OFC qualifying final in Auckland.
Michael Mayne’s side scored 25 goals without reply across the course of their qualifying campaign, and will be eager to replicate that scoring form against international opposition outside of Oceania during this window.
New Zealand also played a two-match series in Spain during the June window last year, winning one and losing one of their two fixtures with Venezuela.
Fixture Details:
New Zealand v Haiti |Estadio El Maulí, Malaga, Spain | Friday June 5, 6pm local time (Saturday June 6, 4am NZT)
New Zealand v Morocco | Estadio El Maulí, Malaga, Spain | Tuesday June 9, 6pm local time (Wednesday June 10, 4am NZT)
Fiji
The Fiji Kulas also return to the international stage this week for a two-match international series in Hong Kong, just two months after the conclusion of their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ qualification campaign at the semi-final stage.
Fiji will play Hong Kong twice in the space of three days on June 3 and June 6 – with the second of the two fixtures to be played at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground.
Hong Kong are currently ranked #82 on the FIFA Women’s World Rankings and are among the top 15 Asian women’s national teams. In comparison, Fiji are ranked 3 places above their hosts at #79.
The series will provide head coach Nicola Demaine with the valuable opportunity to further test and develop her squad’s identity and depth against international opposition, as they rebuild for future competitive regional competition.
Fiji’s most recent international women’s fixture against a nation outside of Oceania also took place against Asian opposition – losing 8-0 and 7-2 to the Philippines in a two-match series in 2022.
Fixture Details
Hong Kong v Fiji (Match 1) | Venue TBC, Hong Kong | Wednesday 3 June, 4pm local time (8pm FJT)
Hong Kong v Fiji (Match 2) | Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground, Hong Kong | Saturday 6 June, 6pm local time (10pm FJT)