New Zealand vs Finland – News and Probable Lineups

New Zealand will welcome Finland for an international friendly fixture – part of the 2026 FIFA Series – at Eden Park this Friday.

As the All Whites focus on their preparations for the 2026 World Cup, their European opponents are set to play the second of a series of friendlies ahead of the UEFA Nations League, which kicks off in September.

Match overview

This segment of the FIFA Series includes New Zealand, Finland, Chile, and Cape Verde, all of whom will compete in two matches each at Eden Park, which has a capacity of 50,000, on March 27 and March 30.

While a winner will be determined at the end of this two-day competition, it essentially serves as a friendly tournament in preparation for the World Cup.

Since securing their World Cup spot nearly a year ago, New Zealand has engaged in less competitive matches.

They have recorded six losses in eight outings, with their lone positive results being a 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast and a 1-1 draw against Norway.

Darren Bazeley’s squad deserves credit for only conceding more than twice in their 3-1 loss to their fierce rivals Australia, losing 2-1 and 2-0 against Colombia and Ecuador in their latest matches in November.

Bazeley is optimistic that their upcoming schedule before the World Cup – which includes a match against England in June – will gear them up for the group games against Egypt and Belgium. Currently, their match against Iran is uncertain.

On the other hand, Finland is in the midst of their preparation phase for the upcoming UEFA Nations League, where they have been drawn into a group with Albania, Belarus, and San Marino.

Despite achieving a notable 2-1 victory against Poland in June, the Scandinavian nation finished third in their World Cup qualifying group, trailing behind the Netherlands and Poland.

Since their win over Poland, Jacob Friis’ squad has lost four out of their six matches, managing only victories against Lithuania and Andorra.

In total, they have secured two away wins – in San Marino and Malta – since November 2023.

Team News

With Sarpreet Singh out of the New Zealand squad due to injury, at least one change will be made from their defeat to Ecuador.

Both Andre de Jong and Kosta Barbarouses are potential options. Despite Port Vale having recently rested Ben Waine due to fatigue, he is expected to play either as the number 10 or as the main striker.

Liberato Cacace, Matthew Garbett, and all-time leading goalscorer Chris Wood are significant absences for the All Whites.

Finland is anticipated to make at least four changes from the starting XI that won 4-0 against Andorra.

Miro Tenho, Matti Peltola, Oiva Jukkola, and Joel Pohjanpolo are all likely to be given the chance to play.

Robert Ivanov, Jere Uronen, Robin Lod, and Glen Kamara are all unavailable for selection. The legendary forward Teemu Pukki announced his retirement from international football in November.

New Zealand probable starting XI:

Crocombe; Tuiloma, Surman, Bindon, De Vries; Rufer, Stamenic; Just, The Young, Old; Waine

Finland probable starting XI:

Hradecky; Keskinen, Koski, Tenho, Lahteenmaki; Markhiev, Peltola, Walta; Jukkola, Pohjanpolo, Antman

Devoid of Wood leading their line, New Zealand appears considerably weakened, which might give Finland confidence in their quest for a victory in the Southern Hemisphere. Nonetheless, the home advantage could still help the All Whites secure at least a point.