Ferns to play home internationals in Auckland and Hamilton next February

posted in: Events, Football Ferns, News

The Football Ferns will play three home internationals in February, with two games at Waikato Stadium and the third at North Harbour Stadium.

The matches will provide the Ferns with the chance to test their preparedness for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held five months later.

The three international fixtures are part of a decision by FIFA to enable a 10-team qualifying tournament to decide the final three qualifying nations for the Women’s World Cup.

The tournament will be held in Auckland and Hamilton from February 17–23, 2023.

The teams in the play-off tournament will come from Asia (two), Africa (two), North and Central America and the Caribbean (two), South America (two), Europe (one) and Oceania (one).

Two nations from Asia – Thailand and Chinese Taipei – have already confirmed their participation with the other eight to qualify for the tournament through their continental tournaments.

The Football Ferns will play three friendly matches against the top-seeded team in the tournament and another high-profile guest team yet to be confirmed.

“The play-off tournament and the friendlies will provide fans of all ages the opportunity to watch nations from around the world vie for the final three qualification spots as the excitement continues to build towards FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023,” FWWC2023 New Zealand COO Jane Patterson said.

The world cup is the largest female sporting event in the world with next year’s event in Australia and New Zealand set to be the biggest ever with 32 teams.

Ferns fixtures

New Zealand v TBC (the first seeded team in Group A of the play-off tournament)
Friday February 17, 2023
FMG Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

New Zealand v Guest team (TBC)
Monday February 20, 2023
FMG Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

New Zealand v Guest team (TBC)
Thursday February 23, 2023
North Harbour Stadium, Albany, Auckland

More football stories

Counting down to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup