The All Whites returned to international action for the first time since the FIFA World Cup 2026, drawing 2-2 with Palestine in the first of four matches in this September/October FIFA window.

Due to the game being a late addition to the window, one of the reasons an international broadcast was not available, All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley named a much-changed side, looking to give game time to his squad knowing they will be playing a significant amount of football over the next two weeks.

None of the players who started the team’s last match, the defeat to Belgium in Vancouver, were named in the starting side, with opportunities instead given to members of the wider squad to impress.

George Stanger, who has previously been part of All Whites squads but had never taken to the field, was named to make his debut, while Michael Woud, fresh from a title-winning season with Auckland FC, started in goal for the All Whites for the first time since November 2023.

Stanger was one of three players to make their debuts on the night, with Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Henry Gray coming on for Woud at half-time, while 19-year-old Stipe Ukich, called up for the first time, replaced Logan Rogerson in the 66th minute to earn his first cap.

The game started with a bang for Aotearoa, with Ben Waine opening the scoring after just five minutes.

A ball over the top from debutant Stanger found the onrushing Waine, who slotted home past the Palestinian goalkeeper at the near post.

In the 27th minute, Palestine levelled.

A Palestine corner found Assad Al Hamlawi, who headed home to make it 1-1.

But eight minutes later the All Whites were in front again.

New Zealand won the ball high up the pitch, allowing Lachie Bayliss to cross into the box, where Jesse Randall was first to the ball after a scramble to give his team the lead.

However, Palestine had other ideas and levelled the match at 2-2 in the 39th minute after winning the ball in transition, crossing and finding Oday Dabbagh for the finish.

The second half saw the All Whites make a raft of changes to give all players opportunities:

56 minutes – Callan Elliot for Dane Ingham, Tyler Bindon for Bill Tuiloma
66 minutes – Moses Dyer for Ben Waine, Stipe Ukich for Logan Rogerson, Marko Stamenić for Alex Rufer, Eli Just for Lachie Bayliss
76 minutes – Callum McCowatt for Owen Parker-Price, Dalton Wilkins for Jesse Randall

But the game remained level at 2-2.

The All Whites will next be in action against China PR, one of three games over the next two weeks to be broadcast live and free on FIFA+ via DAZN and TVNZ:

All Whites vs China PR
28 September [KO 12:35am NZT] - Longxing Football Stadium, Chongqing, China

All Whites vs Panama
1 October [KO 7:10pm NZT] - Yokohama International Stadium, Tokyo, Japan

All Whites vs Ecuador/Japan
5 October [KO TBC] - National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan

Article added: Thursday 24 September 2026