MATCH INFO:
All Whites vs Fiji
FIFA World Cup 2026 - Oceania Qualifiers Semi-Final
Friday 21 March KO 7pm
Sky Stadium, Wellington 


Watch live and free on FIFA+ as well as on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+

Book tickets from Ticketek


The All Whites are two wins away from qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the third time in their history and the battle to be on the plane to the USA, Mexico and Canada in 2026 continues tonight in the Oceania Qualifiers semi-final against Fiji. 

Should the All Whites win they will face the winner of the New Caledonia vs Tahiti other semi-final on Monday night at Eden Park with the winner securing direct entry to the FIFA World Cup for the first time in history. 

This is the business end of the competition and all four teams taking part will be looking to write their names into the history books. 

For Fiji, the team are missing iconic striker and leading goal scorer Roy Krishna who is ruled out with injury but will come into the game with much more preparation time than the All Whites following an near month-long training camp in New Zealand to acclimatise to the conditions. 

They also come into the game in good form with three wins from three warm-up games against Dettol National League teams, scoring six goals and conceding none. 


 

Likely Team:

Head coach Darren Bazeley has a full squad available to choose from and with only two changes to the playing group selected for the November group games (Auckland FC’s Jesse Randell coming in for club mate Liam Gillion as well as Bazeley choosing to leave Finn Surman with Portland Timers following him breaking into the starting XI) there is likely to be consistency with the team that won against Samoa and Vanuatu. 

With competition for places across the pitch, Bazeley will have some selection headaches in key positions with players desperate to be part of the side to hopefully return the All Whites to the FIFA World Cup.


Head Coach Darren Bazeley On What To Expect From Fiji:

“I think they are going to be very organised, it’s a big game…

“I know we are the favourites and we have a team of professionals, but it is a big game for them as well and we need to respect that. 

“They are going to be organised and competitive and give it a real go so we need to be ready for those challenges.” 


Player to Watch: Setareki Hughes

With the legendary Roy Krishna out, experience will come from midfielder Setareki Hughes, the second most capped player in Fiji’s history. 

The 29-year-old Rewa player also has an eye for goal, scoring in Fiji’s 1-0 win over Eastern Suburbs this month.   


Where to Watch:

Watch live and free on FIFA+ as well as TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+

Article added: Friday 21 March 2025