The Football Ferns draw for the OFC Nations Cup later this year has been confirmed.

The World No 19 Ferns, who are three-time defending champions, have been drawn in Group B alongside Tonga, Cook Islands and the Qualifier winner in New Caledonia.

The Qualifier will be decided from Fiji, American Samoa, Solomon Islands or Vanuatu.

New Caledonia is set to host the 11^th edition of Oceania’s premier women’s competition from 18 November to 1 December as eight nations compete not only for a place in the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019, but for a berth at the Women's Olympic Football Tournament Tokyo 2020.

Hosts New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tahiti were all drawn in Group A for the pool stages of the OFC Nations Cup.

Football Ferns coach Andreas Heraf said they will take nothing for granted when they travel to New Caledonia later this year.

“It is good to have the draw confirmed and we will show Tonga, the Cook Islands and our other opponent our full respect at this tournament,” he said.

“We know what is at stake so we will be preparing to be at our best for a tough challenge in New Caledonia as we hope to book our place in the FIFA World Cup in France next year.”

New Zealand are five-time OFC Nations Cup champions (1983, 1991, 2007, 2010 and 2014) in the tournament that dates back to 1983. 

OFC Women’s Nations Cup
When: 18 November – 1 December
Where: New Caledonia
What: Qualifier for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in France and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Group A - New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tahiti
Group B – New Zealand, Tonga, Cook Islands and Qualifier (TBC)