New Zealand Football have today confirmed Oman as the second warm-up international friendly the men’s national team will play ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Intercontinental Play-Off against Costa Rica.

The All Whites will face the Middle Eastern side on 9 June (10 June NZT) in Doha, Qatar. As previously announced, the game will be played behind closed doors and will not be broadcast live.

The match follows the first warm-up game against Peru on 5 June (6 June NZT) at RCDE Stadium in Barcelona, Spain. The game will be the first the team have played in front of a crowd since 2019, with 25,000 tickets already sold.

“We are really pleased to lock in this match against another high-quality opposition ahead of a massive game against Costa Rica” says Head Coach Danny Hay from the team training camp in Marbella, Spain.

“It is vital that we challenge ourselves ahead of the Intercontinental Play-Off but also have the opportunity to try things out. These two games, against Peru and Oman, should allow us to do both.

“Having the opportunity to give minutes to members of the wider squad is really important as you never know what can happen during a game. We need the entire squad match fit, battle hardened and pushing to make the starting XI against Costa Rica.”

Kick off time and venue for the game will be announced over the coming days.


Confirmed fixtures:

New Zealand v Peru – International Friendly
Sunday 5 June 2022 - 5:30pm (local)
Barcelona, Spain

New Zealand v Oman – International Friendly (behind closed doors)
Thursday 9 June 2022 - Time TBC (local)
Doha, Qatar

New Zealand v Costa Rica – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Intercontinental Play-Off
Tuesday 14 June 2022 – 9pm (local)
Doha, Qatar

Article added: Tuesday 24 May 2022