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New Zealand vs Finland Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA Series

by Alex Lawes ·
New Zealand vs Finland Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA Series

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This FIFA Series clash features New Zealand face Finland at Eden Park down in New Zealand in Oceania in a group that also consists of Chile and Cape Verde.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – Some matches can be streamed live on FIFA+ / USA – Some matches can be streamed live on FIFA+

Key stats

  • This is the first‑ever encounter between New Zealand and Finland.
  • New Zealand’s record against UEFA teams is P42 W3 D9 L30; their most recent encounters were away friendlies against Poland (lost 1-0) and Norway (drew 1-1) in October 2025.
  • New Zealand’s most recent matches against non‑OFC opposition came in November 2025, when they played two friendlies in the USA, losing 2-1 to Colombia and 2-0 to Ecuador.
  • New Zealand competed in the 2024 FIFA Series, losing 1-0 to Egypt and then being defeated on penalties after a 0-0 draw with Tunisia, with both matches played in Egypt.
  • This is Finland’s first match against an OFC team, a fact that includes Australia both before and after their move to the AFC.
  • Finland’s record against non‑UEFA teams is P81 W24 D18 L39, with their most recent fixture a 2–1 victory over Jordan in the United Arab Emirates in January 2018.

New Zealand vs Finland prediction

Having benefitted from the new automatic route for an Oceanian team into the FIFA World Cup, New Zealand are enduring a tough build-up with six defeats and a draw against Norway since last summer.

Finland managed to finish a positive and encouraging 2025 by hammering Andorra by four goals to nil. The Scandinavians had been relatively strong for much of the year, albeit did begin the November international break with a surprise 1-0 loss at home to an improved Malta.

The standard of opposition for New Zealand has been reasonably tough of late and this may be a better indicator of their level ahead of this summer, especially with home advantage. 

New Zealand vs Finland tip: New Zealand to win & under 3.5 goals

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