AUCKLAND, Nov 10: The Indian men’s national football team arrived in Auckland on Monday night ahead of two international friendly matches against New Zealand, marking a historic first visit to the country for the Blue Tigers.
The Indian squad, led by head coach Khalid Jamil, will use the upcoming fixtures to test its preparations against a strong international opponent and gain valuable experience ahead of future competitive assignments.
The two matches are scheduled during the November FIFA international window, with the opening encounter set to take place at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on November 12. The teams will meet again at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch on November 15.
The tour represents an important occasion for Indian football as the senior men’s team travels to New Zealand for the first time. It also marks India’s first visit to a member nation of the Oceania Football Confederation since the team’s tour of Fiji in 2005.
The players departed Bengaluru late on November 8 and travelled through Kuala Lumpur before continuing their journey to Auckland. The team reached its destination after an extended international journey and began settling into its arrangements for the upcoming fixtures.
Head coach Jamil expressed satisfaction with the team’s arrival and said the players were physically prepared for the challenge.
He said the journey had been smooth and the squad had adjusted well after reaching Auckland. The coaching staff will concentrate on training and recovery before the opening match.
The Indian team is expected to conduct an activation session followed by an evening training programme at North Harbour Stadium. It will subsequently train at the match venue to familiarise itself with the conditions ahead of Thursday’s contest.
Jamil acknowledged that New Zealand would provide a difficult challenge, particularly because the hosts have recently competed at the highest level of international football.
New Zealand participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making the two encounters an important opportunity for Indian players to measure their abilities against a team with recent experience of the global tournament.
The Indian coach said playing against a World Cup participant away from home would provide valuable exposure. He also stressed the importance of maintaining discipline, working collectively and using the matches to improve the team’s overall performance.
23-member squad announced for New Zealand assignment
The All India Football Federation had announced a 23-member squad under Jamil on November 6.
The selection includes a combination of experienced international players and younger footballers who have been seeking opportunities to establish themselves in the senior national setup.
Goalkeepers Hrithik Tiwari, Som Kumar and Vishal Kaith have been included in the squad.
The defensive department features Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Akash Mishra, Bijoy Varghese, Jay Gupta, Mehtab Singh, Pramveer, Ricky Meetei Haobam and Roshan Singh Naorem.
The midfield options include Anirudh Thapa, Ashique Kuruniyan, Jithin MS, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Lalrinliana Hnamte and Tomba Singh Haobam.
The attacking responsibility will be shared by David Lalhlansanga, Edmund Lalrindika, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Muhammad Suhail and Ryan Williams.
Three players from the ongoing SAFF Championship squad, namely Bijoy Varghese, Muhammad Suhail and Liston Colaco, have been included in the New Zealand-bound team.
They will join Jamil’s squad rather than continue with the Indian contingent participating in the tournament in Dhaka.
Meanwhile, Farukh Choudhary, Noufal PN and Hmingthanmawia Ralte have been released from the SAFF Championship squad and will return to their club, Mumbai City FC. Ronney Kharbudon was also ruled out of the Dhaka assignment because of an injury.
One of the notable aspects of the selection was the absence of veteran goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, with the coaching staff opting for three other options between the posts.
The squad announcement reflected Jamil’s intention to assess different combinations and provide opportunities to players who could contribute to the team’s development.
New Zealand present a major test
New Zealand are expected to provide a stern examination for the Indian side because of their physical approach, international experience and familiarity with high-intensity football.
The All Whites have established themselves as a competitive force in Oceania and recently participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Their participation in the global competition gives the upcoming fixtures additional importance for India, whose players will be required to adapt to the speed and physical demands of international football.
India are currently ranked below New Zealand in the FIFA rankings, making the series an opportunity to test the progress achieved under Jamil.
The Indian coach has repeatedly emphasised the need for better organisation and greater consistency when facing higher-ranked opponents.
The two friendlies will allow the coaching staff to examine the team’s defensive structure, midfield coordination and ability to create attacking opportunities against a well-organised opposition.
Playing outside India will also test the squad’s adaptability, particularly in terms of travel, weather conditions and the atmosphere surrounding international fixtures.
The Indian players will have limited time to become familiar with the local conditions before the opening encounter, making the scheduled training sessions important.
Previous meetings between India and New Zealand
India and New Zealand have faced each other only twice in senior international football.
Their first meeting took place during the 1981 Merdeka Tournament in Malaysia, where the contest ended in a goalless draw.
The teams met again during the 2018 Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai. New Zealand secured a 2-1 victory in that encounter, although India eventually went on to win the tournament.
The November series will therefore provide another opportunity for both sides to renew their international rivalry.
For India, the matches will also be significant because they represent the team’s first opportunity to compete against New Zealand on its home ground.
Jamil has called on members of the Indian community living in New Zealand to attend the matches and support the national team.
He said the presence of Indian supporters could provide encouragement to the players during their first visit to the country.
The coach also acknowledged that playing away from home would present a different challenge compared with matches staged in India.
Important preparation for Indian football
The New Zealand tour comes at an important stage for the Indian national team as it looks to improve its international standing and build a more competitive squad.
The previous international window provided opportunities to face stronger opponents, including Panama, Brazil and Uruguay.
India managed a 1-1 draw against Panama but suffered defeats against Brazil and Uruguay, highlighting the gap that still exists between the national team and some of the world’s established footballing nations.
The upcoming fixtures will offer another opportunity to evaluate the team’s progress against a World Cup participant.
For younger players, the experience of travelling overseas and competing against experienced international footballers could prove particularly valuable.
The coaching staff will also be able to assess which players are capable of handling demanding international assignments and performing consistently under pressure.
The first match in Auckland will take place on November 12 at 11:30 am IST, while the second encounter in Christchurch is scheduled for November 15 at 8:30 am IST.
Both fixtures are expected to attract attention from Indian football supporters, particularly those interested in the team’s development under Jamil.
The Blue Tigers will now focus on their preparations, with the objective of producing competitive performances and gaining confidence from the overseas assignment.
Although the results will be important, the larger objective will be to improve team coordination, strengthen tactical understanding and gain experience against a side that has recently competed at football’s biggest international tournament.
The historic visit has opened another international opportunity for Indian football, and the performances in Auckland and Christchurch will provide an indication of how effectively the team can translate its preparations into results on the field.