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3 Mar 2026 13:54

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The All Whites will face two sides inside the world's current top 20 at next year's World Cup - but have avoided the likes of world champions Argentina and European title holders Spain

The All Whites will face two sides inside the world's current top 20 at next year's World Cup - but have avoided the likes of world champions Argentina and European title holders Spain

6 December 2025

The toughest opponent on paper is eighth-ranked Belgium, with Iran 20th and Egypt - featuring Liverpool great Mo Salah - in 34th.

The All Whites currently sit 86th in the rankings.

Coach Darren Bazeley pretty happy on TVNZ...

The full schedule is out tomorrow morning from 6am - but New Zealand will play Iran, Egypt and Belgium in that order in a mix of Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver.

Elsewhere, England meet Croatia in group L, while France and Senegal have been drawn together - 24 years since the African nation stunned the then defending champions at the 2002 tournament.

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Other Soccer News

03 Mar: One of the last elements of the All Whites' World Cup plan is in place

01 Mar: Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola is disappointed the Leeds football crowd didn't show respect for religious beliefs during City's 1-nil Premier League win at Elland Road

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01 Mar: Auckland FC have moved to within two points of the Newcastle Jets at the top of the A-League table

28 Feb: Auckland FC attacking weapon Jesse Randall is stoked with how the club is tracking heading towards the final stretch of the A-League's regular season

28 Feb: Auckland FC are keen to benchmark themselves against the best when they face the defending A-League champions at Mt Smart this evening

28 Feb: Aston Villa's Champions League hopes have taken a hit after a two-nil English Premier League loss to lowly Wolverhampton

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