Mexico football fans. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The All Whites will return to an iconic sporting venue with the possibility of another huge crowd.
New Zealand Football has confirmed a game against 15th ranked Mexico at the Pasadena Rosebowl in California in September.
The two sides faced each other there in 2010 in the buildup to the Fifa World Cup in South Africa.
Defender Tommy Smith made his debut in that game which was played in front of capacity 90,000 fans with Mexico winning 2-0.
It is the latest game to be confirmed as the All Whites prepare for qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
They play a mini tournament in the UAE later this month with Egypt, Croatia and Tunisia.
All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley sees the Mexico game as a great opportunity for his side to face a top opponent in a high pressure environment:
"Should we qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 we are going to be playing sides that are higher ranked than us and this game, especially taking place in front of a likely huge crowd which will predominately be supporting Mexico, in one of the countries the tournament will be happening in, is a brilliant test for us.
"Not many of our squad will have played in an atmosphere like we can expect to see in this game and it will give us a great taste of what the FIFA World Cup 2026 could feel like, which is no better incentive heading into our qualifying games in October and November.
"We will likely have another game still to be announced in this window but we are now in a fortunate position of having the 2024 schedule locked in with the W Cup alongside Egypt, Croatia and Tunisia this month, followed by the OFC Men's Nations Cup in Vanuatu, Olympics in July, this game in September and FIFA World Cup qualifying in October and November.
"We want to take every step to make sure we are as prepared as possible come qualifying and this match schedule should put us in the best place to perform."
A second fixture for the September FIFA international window is set to be confirmed and announced in due course.
New Zealand Starting Eleven. Mexico defeated New Zealand 2-0 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on March 3rd, 2010. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
