New Zealand All Whites set for Kirin Cup matches in Japan in October 2026

New Zealand's national football team, the All Whites, will compete in the 2026 Kirir Cup in Japan. The mini‑tournament runs from 1 October to 5 October, with New Zealand facing Panama (ranked 44) at Yokohama International Stadium on 1 October. The winner of that match will meet the victor of Japan (ranked 17) versus Ecuador (ranked 25) in Tokyo’s National Stadium on 5 October to decide the cup final, while the losing sides contest a third‑place play‑off.

All four nations – Japan, Ecuador, Panama and New Zealand – participated in the FIFA Men’s World Cup earlier in the year. Head coach Darren Bazeley said the tournament offers a valuable chance to test the side against strong, World Cup‑experienced opponents. After the Kirin Cup, the All Whites will host India for a two‑match series in Auckland and Christchurch in November.