All Whites to play in-form Sweden in June international window

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The All Whites will play Sweden — 23rd in the current FIFA world rankings —  in June’s international window.

The New Zealand team will travel to Stockholm to take on The Blue and Yellow at Friends Arena, Sweden’s national stadium.

The match will be played at 7pm on Friday June 16, 2023 which is 5am on Saturday June 17 (NZT).

Sweden are currently on a five-match unbeaten run, having beaten Mexico, Algeria, Finland and Iceland in the past six months, and having draw with Slovenia.

Leading players in the national side include captain Victor Lindelöf (Manchester United), Martin Olsson (Malmö), Ludwig Augustinsson (Mallorca), Emil Krath (Newcastle United), Emil Forsberg (RB Leipzig), Albin Ekdal (Spezia), Viktor Claesson (Copenhagen), Robin Qualson (Al-Ettifaq), Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) and Dejan Kulesevski (Tottenham Hotspur).

Legendary striker Zlatan Ibrahimović (Milan) is now 41 but last played for Sweden a year ago, giving him 121 caps and with 62 international goals to his credit.

Main photo: The Sweden starting line-up in early 2022.

The 50,000 capacity Friends Arena is Sweden’s national stadium. Photo: Friends Arena.

New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell said:

“We have made a commitment that our senior national teams will be playing in every possible FIFA window, so it’s great to confirm this match against a quality side.

“With the games against China this month in Auckland and Wellington, and this fixture the first of many overseas internationals games we will be announcing, this is an exciting time for the team.

“I know the players can’t wait to kick off the new World Cup cycle and that starts this month at Mt Smart.”

New Zealand men’s fixtures

Game to be played on Thursday March 23, 2023

New Zealand U-23 v China PR
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, 3pm (NZT)

All Whites v China PR
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, 7pm (NZT)

Game to be played on Sunday March 26, 2023

New Zealand U-23 v China PR
Sky Stadium, Wellington, 12.30pm (NZT)

All Whites v China PR
Sky Stadium, Wellington, 4pm (NZT)

Game to be played on Saturday June 17, 2023

Sweden v All Whites
Friends Arena, Soina, Stockholm, 5am (NZT)

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