All Whites vs Côte d'Ivoire
11am NZT – Sunday 9 June
BMO Field, Toronto, Canada

Watch live and free on FIFA+

It’s game day in Toronto, with the All Whites set to play their first match since confirming their place at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in March.

Their opponents are Côte d'Ivoire – three-time FIFA World Cup qualifiers and 2024 Africa Cup of Nations champions.

The Elephants have a strong pedigree at international level and have boasted some of the greatest African players of all time in their ranks.

While currently ranked 41st in the FIFA rankings, Côte d'Ivoire are a talented and physical side that will provide a serious test for head coach Darren Bazeley – exactly the kind of challenge he wants as the team prepares for what lies ahead in 2026.

The match is part of the Canadian Shield tournament, where the All Whites, Côte d'Ivoire, Ukraine and hosts Canada are all competing.

Each team will play two games, with New Zealand set to face Ukraine next week. If matches are level after 90 minutes, they will go to penalties.

Tournament points system:

3 points for a win in normal time
2 points for a win on penalties after a draw
1 point for a loss on penalties after a draw
0 points for a defeat

After all teams have played two matches, the winner will be awarded the inaugural Canadian Shield trophy.

This is the first time the All Whites have faced Côte d'Ivoire – a valuable benchmark in their build-up to a third FIFA World Cup appearance.

Likely Line-Up:

In the pre-match press conference, head coach Darren Bazeley confirmed that the full squad is available for selection. However, with many players coming off long domestic seasons, he expects to share minutes around and use all available substitutions.

One player pushing for a starting spot is defender Finn Surman, who has enjoyed a breakout season with Portland Timbers, cementing his place in the starting XI. Surman sat out the March international window following a collaborative decision between the club and All Whites staff to manage his workload.

What Darren Bazeley Said:

“It's a great opportunity for us to play a higher-level opponent than we’ve faced over the last nine months. We know what we’ve been through and what we’ve achieved, but for us this is the start of a new chapter.“Looking ahead to the World Cup, we’ll be playing top-40 ranked teams consistently, so this is about trying to get results against that calibre of opposition. We also need to test ourselves both in and out of possession to see where we’re at and continue preparing for the World Cup.”

Player to Watch: Sébastien Haller

In a squad full of elite talent, former Borussia Dortmund forward Sébastien Haller has scored goals at the top level for a decade. A clinical striker with aerial prowess and technical quality, Haller still poses a major threat.

Having scored 10 and conceded none so far in 2025, the All Whites are used to dominating in OFC qualifiers. But against Haller – and an Ivorian squad full of attacking danger – they will need to be switched on from the first whistle.

Where to Watch:

Watch live and free on FIFA+ from 11am NZT on Sunday 9 June.

Article added: Saturday 07 June 2025