Tottenham Hotspur's pre‑season tour in New Zealand coincides with a severe 5.9 quake

Tottenham Hotspur arrived in New Zealand for a pre‑season tour of Australia and New Zealand, with a friendly against A‑League champions Auckland FC scheduled for Sunday at Eden Park. A 35‑player squad was confirmed, while three first‑team members – Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr and Guglielmo Vicario – were omitted, the first two being on extended leave after World Cup duties.

Hours after the team’s arrival, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the North Island near Taumarunui, 150 mi south of Auckland. Geonet classified the quake as “severe”. No injuries or major damage were reported, though minor road damage was noted. Players received smartphone notifications but felt no shaking, and the match schedule remained unchanged.

Local media also published a weekend fixtures guide highlighting the Tottenham‑Auckland friendly alongside other New Zealand football matches, underscoring the high profile of the tour in the region.