¡Bienvenidas Argentina!
Another team is locked in for the Ford Football Ferns’ FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 build-up, with Argentina confirmed as the guest team at February’s Play-Off Tournament for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™.
The tournament takes place from 17-23 February in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland and Kirikiriroa / Hamilton.
The Ford Football Ferns will play three international friendlies alongside the Play-Off Tournament – a game against Portugal (the highest ranked Play-Off Tournament team) on Friday 17 February at Waikato Stadium, and two games against Argentina on Monday 20 February at Waikato Stadium and on Thursday 23 February at North Harbour Stadium. As a co-host of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, New Zealand has already qualified.
The Play-Off Tournament clashes with Argentina and Portugal offer the Ferns another chance to fine tune FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 preparations, says Ford Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková.
“As we get closer to the World Cup kicking off, part of our focus moves to how we can adapt to and perform in these high-pressure environments,” says Klimková.
“Playing games during the Play-Off Tournament is a valuable piece of our preparation puzzle. Playing at Waikato and North Harbour Stadiums give us further opportunities to play in other areas of Aotearoa and continue connecting with our fans across the country.”
The Ferns have played Argentina twice before, winning on both occasions. Aotearoa New Zealand’s record goal scorer Amber Hearn netted the decisive goal in 2008’s 1-0 victory, while 2019’s 2-0 win was marked by a sharp finish from Katie Rood and a 40-yard screamer from CJ Bott.
Ranked 29 on FIFA’s World Rankings, Argentina is the third highest ranked CONMEBOL team, and qualified for 2023 after finishing third in Copa América Femenina 2022 in July. The majority of the Argentinian squad plays in the top South American, North American and European leagues.
Tickets for the friendlies and the Play-Off Tournament for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will go on sale early 2023. To receive Play-Off Tournament ticket alerts directly to your email inbox from FIFA, please register here.
Ford Football Ferns fixtures 2023
January
V USA
Wednesday 18 January, 2023
Sky Stadium, Te Whanganui-A-Tara / Wellington
4pm kick off NZT
Saturday 21 January, 2023
Eden Park, Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland
4pm kick off NZT
February
V Portugal
Friday 17 February, 2023
Waikato Stadium, Kirikiriroa / Hamilton
7pm kick off NZT
V Argentina
Monday 20 February, 2023
Waikato Stadium, Kirikiriroa / Hamilton
7pm kick off NZT
Thursday 23 February, 2023
North Harbour Stadium, Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland
7pm kick off NZT
