After qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 last month, the Ford Football Ferns have confirmed the first matches they will play as they build towards the tournament, taking on Haiti (FIFA rank 49) and Morocco (FIFA rank 62) in Malaga, Spain, this June.

On Saturday 6 June, kicking off at 4am NZT (Friday 5 June at 6pm local time), the Ferns will face Haiti.

On Wednesday 10 June, again kicking off at 4am NZT (Tuesday 9 June at 6pm local time), the team will take on Morocco.

Both matches will be played at Nuevo Estadio El Maulí in Malaga, Spain.

The fixtures will be the first time the Ford Football Ferns have faced either Haiti or Morocco at senior international level.

The games will provide a good test for the Ferns, with both sides having qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, where Morocco reached the round of 16, while Haiti put in several strong performances, including a narrow 1–0 loss against eventual runners-up England.

Ford Football Ferns head coach Michael Mayne said:

“It was great to get the job done at home last month and secure our place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, but we know that was just the first of many objectives for the team in this campaign.

“We need to put together a campaign that sees us arrive at the tournament in the best possible position to perform and progress from the group, so games like this, where we can test ourselves against teams from two different confederations, are exactly what we need.

“The end of 2025 saw us challenge ourselves against some highly ranked teams, which was important as we know we will have to find solutions to this in Brazil, but these last few windows have also provided us with some clear direction on what’s most important to target in matches for the remainder of the year as we continue progressing towards the tournament.

“I am feeling and seeing real progress as a group, both on and off the pitch, so far this cycle, and I’ve been really impressed with the way the players have implemented our new way of working and playing style, while driving standards among themselves.

“There is still a need for further improvement as we build towards the tournament, but Haiti and Morocco are teams that will challenge us in the ways we need at this point of the campaign.

“Now that we have Brazil 2027 in mind, it gives us a clear focus over the next year, so I’m looking forward to the wider squad pushing their case for selection for the tournament.”

Article added: Thursday 07 May 2026