New Zealand vs India Preview - Team news, Predicted lineups | International friendly
The Blue Tigers will play two friendlies against New Zealand.
The Indian football team are poised to return to action with a tricky away clash against New Zealand in their next FIFA International Friendly on Thursday, 12 November (2026) at the Go Media Stadium (Auckland).
This will be the first of two designated friendlies between the two sides, and the Blue Tigers need to produce a particularly gritty and efficient display to be able to get a positive result against a side that played at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
India are simultaneously participating in the SAFF Championship 2026, where they beat Pakistan with a score line of 3-2 on 8th November & Maldives with a score line of 1-0 on 11th November. Since the Blue Tigers have won both their Group stage games, they have qualified for the Semi-Finals of the tournament.
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The Stakes
India
The Indian football team are poised to maintain their pattern of facing off against prominent international opposition after playing the likes of Panama, Brazil and Uruguay in the previous international window.
Now, Khalid Jamil’s side will need to get accustomed to playing at an away stadium and try to ride out the wind to get a positive result. Jamil has to shape his side to keep a really compact defensive shape and be at their energetic best in the key areas, so that they can make things difficult for the New Zealand side.
Of course, he’ll need his players to be at their clinical best in the attack to be able to score goals and enhance their chances of getting a positive result.
A possible win on the road for India against New Zealand would be a huge momentum booster that shows the capability of this group, but a crushing loss would dampen their spirits by quite a bit.
New Zealand
The New Zealand side are actually headed into their upcoming friendlies against India at the back of some shaky form, having won just two of their last 10 matches. They had a pretty disappointing 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, losing two of their three matches and conceding 10 goals!
The All Whites will look to revitalize their momentum levels in their upcoming friendly against India and put on an entertaining show for their fans as well.
Andrew Boyens is going to urge his players to be at their energetic, innovative best when it comes to creating chances and getting on the front-foot. A compelling win can help the confidence levels to rise up within the New Zealand side, but a draw or loss is a demotivating factor they’ll be desperate to avoid.
Team News
Khalid Jamil hasn’t been able to select his crucial centre-back Anwar Ali for the squad because of an injury. Experienced players like Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Rahul Bheke and Sandesh Jhingan have all been left out of the squad for the New Zealand clash.
Andrew Boyens’ squad is spearheaded by veteran striker Chris Wood, while players like Corban Piper, Matthew Sheridan and Nathan Walker have gotten their maiden call-ups for the New Zealand squad.
Head-to-Head Record
Matches Played – 2
India wins – 0
New Zealand – 1
Draws – 1
Predicted Lineups
India (4-4-2)
Vishal Kaith (GK), Abhishek Singh, Bijoy Varghese, Pramveer Singh, Akash Mishra, Anirudh Thapa, Lalremtluana Fanai, Muhammed Suhail, Jithin MS, Ryan Williams, Manvir Singh
New Zealand (4-2-3-1)
Alex Paulsen (GK), Callan Elliot, Bill Tuloma, Nando Pjnaker, James McGarry, Alex Rufer, Matt Garbett, Callum McCowatt, Logan Rogerson, Jesse Randall, Chris Wood
Players to Watchout
Ryan Williams (India)
Ryan Williams was arguably India’s biggest spark in their recent friendlies against the likes of Panama, Brazil and Uruguay, producing some encouraging performances against prominent sides.
Now, Williams will be focused on doing even better in the travel to face New Zealand for India’s final few matches of 2026. Williams knows the kind of pressure on him to perform in the frontline for the Blue Tigers, and he’ll look to thrive under it.
Williams has two goal contributions (one goal, one assist) in four 2026-27 Indian Super League (ISL) matches so far this season – and he looks to maintain his positive momentum against the All Whites.
The Bengaluru FC forward will need to be smart with his off-the-ball movement and link-up play to encourage his side into the danger zones.
However, Williams needs to be particularly decisive with his final passes and shooting accuracy to boost India’s chances of scoring multiple goals against New Zealand.
Chris Wood (New Zealand)
Chris Wood has had a shaky start to the 2026-27 season so far, barely getting 111 minutes in the Premier League for Nottingham Forest.
However, Wood has maintained a pretty good record with New Zealand over the years – having scored 45 goals in the international scene for them. The 34-year-old striker desperately needs a boost in momentum and will look to do so against the Indian players.
Wood will look to make good use of his physical prowess to win key duels and move his teammates forward into the danger zones with clever passes into the final third.
However, the veteran striker’s primary focus needs to be on positioning himself in the right areas and finish off chances in clinical fashion to help the All Whites get a dominant win.
Did you know?
- The last time that India and New Zealand faced each other, the Blue Tigers (97) were ranked higher than the All Whites (120) in the FIFA World Rankings.
- New Zealand have only been able to win three of their 11 matches played in 2026 so far.
- India have not been able to keep a clean sheet in their previous 14 international matches.
Telecast Details
The friendly between India and New Zealand will take place on Thursday, 12 November (2026) at the Go Media Stadium in Auckland. It will kick off at 11:30 AM IST.
The match will be live streamed on FIFA+ on DAZN.com & the DAZN app.
When will India play their first friendly against New Zealand?
The international friendly between India and New Zealand will take place on Thursday, 12 November (2026) at the Go Media Stadium in Auckland. It will kick off at 11:30 AM IST.
Who is the head coach of India against New Zealand?
Khalid Jamil is leading India against New Zealand in the upcoming friendlies.
Where can I watch the India vs New Zealand match live?
The India vs New Zealand match will be live streamed on FIFA+ on DAZN.com & the DAZN app.
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