New Delhi, Nov. 12 -- Following the two defeats against former World Cup winners Brazil and Uruguay last month in Kolkata, India are set to face another World Cup-playing nation as the Blue Tigers take on New Zealand in the first of the two FIFA Friendlies on Thursday in Auckland. The visit marks the first time the Indian football team have travelled to New Zealand, known as Aotearoa in the traditional Maori language.

While India are placed 138th in the world, New Zealand sit 88th in the latest FIFA Rankings. New Zealand were one of the 48 teams in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They drew with Iran before losing to Egypt and Belgium. This tour is a part of the '100 Years of Unity Through Sport' celebration of sporting ties between the two coun...