Ahead of Aotearoa New Zealand making its first ever appearance at the FIFA Futsal World Cup this September, the Futsal Whites have confirmed a three-match series in Ho Chi Minh City against IR Iran (FIFA rank 7), Morocco (FIFA rank 8) and hosts Vietnam (FIFA rank 38). 

The series will take place from 26 March – 1 April at Lanh Binh Thang Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

IR Iran and Morocco are among the powerhouses of international futsal, both reaching the quarter-finals at the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup. 

IR Iran have qualified for every FIFA Futsal World Cup since 1992, finishing third at the 2016 edition, and have won the AFC Asian Futsal Cup a record 12 times.

Morocco have won three straight Arab Futsal Cups (2023, 2022 and 2021) as well as the last Futsal Confederations Cup in 2022. 

Vietnam are looking to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA Futsal World Cup, with qualifiers taking place following this series, and reached the Round of 16 in 2021. 

The Futsal Whites will kick off against Vietnam on Thursday 28 March at 5pm (11pm NZT), before facing IR Iran on Saturday 30 March at 2pm (8pm NZT) and Morocco on Sunday 31 March at 2pm (8pm NZT).

Futsal Whites head coach Marvin Eakins sees the series as a perfect opportunity for his side to experience top level competition before the FIFA Futsal World Cup later this year:

“I’m delighted to be taking the team to Vietnam in March and testing ourselves against some of the best teams in the world which is critical as part of our FIFA Futsal World Cup preparations. 

“We are going to the World Cup to compete and hopefully make history, and these games are hugely important for getting the squad ready to perform on the biggest stage.”

Article added: Monday 26 February 2024