The New Zealand national football team secured an emphatic 4-1 victory over the Chile national football team in an international friendly played in New Zealand, as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The win comes as a strong response after New Zealand’s recent 2-0 defeat to the Finland national football team in their previous warm-up match at Eden Park.
New Zealand will compete in Group Seven at the World Cup, alongside the Belgium national football team, Egypt national football team, and Iran national football team.
Off the pitch, players have expressed readiness to adapt to potential changes regarding their opening match against Iran, amid uncertainty over the venue due to geopolitical tensions.
Midfielder Ryan Thomas emphasized that Iran fully deserve their place at the tournament and stressed that his team is prepared to handle any pressure or unusual circumstances.
Speaking to Reuters, Thomas said that playing in Mexico or Canada instead of the United States would not pose any issue, highlighting that focus remains strictly on performance.
New Zealand are expected to base their World Cup preparations in San Diego, a location close to the Mexican border that offers flexibility for travel between host cities during the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19.
Winger Kosta Barbarouses echoed similar sentiments, stating that logistical decisions are left to organizers and will not affect the team’s preparations.
Despite concerns over potential security issues for the Iran match, Barbarouses expressed confidence in the organizers’ ability to ensure safety, adding that he hopes his family will be able to attend the tournament, describing the World Cup as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
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