The Ford Football Ferns have two high-profile European opponents to look forward to for the June FIFA international window, as they take on FIFA-ranked 11 Norway in Norway and FIFA-ranked 31 Wales in Spain in a pair of international friendlies.

The Ferns will play Norway in Oslo at 5pm on 25 June local time / 3am 26 June NZT, before heading to Pinatar, Spain, to take on Wales at 7pm on 28 June local time / 5am 29 June NZT.

“These games present a great opportunity to continue to learn about our player pool, build a stronger culture within the squad, and play games in Europe where many of our players are based and won’t have to endure long-haul travel,” says Ford Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková.

“We realized in Australia that if we stay connected on and off the field we can compete against any opponent in the world.

“As we continue our preparations for the opening match of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, we’re delighted to have these high-calibre opposition confirmed. Both Norway and Wales are on a good run of form, and are at important parts of their own preparations for the Euros and of course and World Cup qualification, so will be very competitive opponents.”

Norway will see this game as an important part of their build up to July’s UEFA Women’s Euros, where they are drawn in Group A alongside hosts England, Austria and Northern Ireland. Recently buoyed by the return of inaugural Ballon d'Or Féminin winner Ada Hegerberg, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 quarter-finalists finished third at the Algarve Cup in February. Currently top of Group F in UEFA qualifiers for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, Norway are so far undefeated in the qualifiers.

The Ford Football Ferns last played Norway at the 2020 Algarve Cup in the third-place playoff, where they were defeated 2-1, Hannah Wilkinson netting for the Ferns. They’ve played Norway eight times since first meeting in 1981, and have a 2-2-4 Win-Draw-Loss record.

Wales will see this game as a vital part of their preparations for the round of qualifiers for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. Spearheaded by Jess Fishlock of the OL Reign in the NWSL and captain Sophie Ingle who plays for Chelsea, they resume their qualification campaign in September when they play Greece and Slovenia. They are currently second in Group I of UEFA qualifiers, and will be aiming to consolidate their play-off spot and ultimately qualify for their very first FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Ford Football Ferns last played Wales in a friendly prior to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, going down 1-0. This will be just their third encounter with Wales, having won the first game between the two sides back in 2011 2-0, courtesy of goals from Anna Green and Amber Hearn.

Match schedule for June FIFA international window

VS Norway

5pm 25 June local time / 3am 26 June NZT

Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway

VS Wales

7pm 28 June local time / 5am 29 June NZT

Pinatar Arena, Pinatar, Spain

Article added: Wednesday 04 May 2022