The Football Ferns will play the USA in New Zealand for the first time in January.
Hannah Wilkinson in action against Alana Cook of the USA in 2022 Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The number one ranked side will tour New Zealand in the new year as a part of their preparations for next year's World Cup in New Zealand and Australia.
The Ferns and USA will meet in Wellington on Wednesday January 18th and in Auckland three days later.
The two sides have met 20 times in Internationals with the Ferns best result a 1-all draw in Ohio in 2013.
Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková is looking forward to the occasion and what it will bring to the team's FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 preparations.
"This is a great opportunity for our players to experience two of our World Cup venues ahead of our opening game of the tournament on 20 July next year," she says.
"An important part of preparing for our home world cup is playing big teams in big stadiums, and learning to deal with the pressure that comes with playing world class opposition at home - and there's no greater test than the reigning world champions. This is an opportunity for more of our players to experience these high profile games, and begin a year where we play at home more than ever before."
New Zealand Football chief executive officer Andrew Pragnell is looking forward to the world champions arriving on New Zealand shores.
"What better way to kick off massive year of football in Aotearoa New Zealand than by hosting the world champions the USA?" he says.
"This is an opportunity for Kiwis to see some of the trailblazers in the game before New Zealand's biggest ever sports event kicks off, and a fantastic opportunity to set new crowd records for women's football in Aotearoa.
"With family-friendly kick off times and affordable tickets there's no better way to round off the kiwi summer than with the opportunity to watch the world's best in our backyard.
The USA have won a record four FIFA Women's World Cups (1991, 1999, 2015, 2019), and are chasing an unprecedented third straight win in 2023.
They will be based in Aotearoa New Zealand for the group stage of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
Ford Football Ferns vs USA
Wednesday 18 January, 2023
Sky Stadium, Wellington / Te Whanganui-A-Tara
4pm kick off NZT
Saturday 21 January, 2023
Eden Park, Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau
4pm kick off NZT
