Indian Football Team Arrives in New Zealand for Friendlies Against All Whites

The Indian men's national football team has landed in Auckland for their first-ever matches against New Zealand. With a focus on training and preparation, the team is eager to face the All Whites in two international friendlies. Head coach Khalid Jamil expresses confidence in the players' readiness and calls for support from the Indian community in New Zealand. The matches promise to be a significant test for the Blue Tigers as they aim to build on their past experiences. Read on for more details about their journey and match schedule.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 9, 2026, 23:31 IST

Arrival in Auckland

The Indian men's national football team reached Auckland late on Monday night, gearing up for two international friendly matches against New Zealand. This trip marks the Blue Tigers' inaugural visit to the country, referred to as Aotearoa in the Maori language, as noted by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

Departing from Bengaluru around midnight on November 8, the team had a brief stopover in Kuala Lumpur before continuing their journey to Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. They arrived at 23:30 local time (16:00 IST), completing a lengthy journey across continents.

Upon arrival, the team was welcomed by a cool late-spring evening with temperatures hovering around 16 degrees Celsius and light rain during their transfer from the airport to the hotel. The city exuded a calm and serene atmosphere in the middle of the night, with relatively clear roads.

Team Dynamics and Training Schedule

Inside the team bus, players engaged in lively conversations, showing no signs of fatigue and maintaining focus on the upcoming matches. Head coach Khalid Jamil expressed confidence in the team's readiness, stating, "The flight was smooth, and the players are fit and ready. We have settled in well. This is the first time the Indian team has come to New Zealand, so it is a new experience for us. We are looking forward to the matches."

He further added, "The weather is not a problem. The players are adjusting well, and we will focus on our training and preparation." The Blue Tigers will kick off their training with an activation session on Tuesday morning, followed by an evening practice at North Harbour Stadium at 16:00 local time. They will also train at the match venue, Go Media Stadium, at 19:00 on the eve of their first match.

Historical Context and Upcoming Matches

India's last encounter with New Zealand took place during the 2018 Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai, where India lost 1-2, although they ultimately won the tournament. The upcoming matches will be only the second time these two national teams meet this century.

Their first match was in the 1981 Merdeka Tournament in Malaysia, which ended in a 0-0 draw. Jamil acknowledged the strength of the New Zealand team and the challenges of playing away from home, urging the Indian community in New Zealand to come out and support the team. He stated, "I know there are many Indian fans here in New Zealand. I would request them to come to the stadium and support the team. Their support is important for us, and we will try to give our best on the pitch."

He added, "Last window, we played against three strong teams, and now we have another strong opponent in New Zealand. But this time, we are playing away from home, so it will be a different kind of test for us. We have to be ready, work hard, and give our best in both matches." The first match is set to kick off at 19:10 local time (11:40 IST) on Thursday, November 12. Following this, the Blue Tigers will head to Christchurch on November 13 for their second friendly against the All Whites at One New Zealand Stadium on Sunday, November 15, at 16:10 local time (08:40 IST).