Football Ferns to host Philippines in two-match Wellington series
Tuesday 20 October 2026 · 4 outlets · 4 reports · updated In this story FIFA, Football Ferns, New Zealand Football, CJ Bott
The Football Ferns will play the Philippines at Porirua Park on 29 November and 4 December. These home fixtures follow the cancellation of the team's matches in Panama due to a magnitude 7.7 earthquake. The series serves as a rematch of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup encounter.
Key facts
4 facts
- Matches scheduled for 29 November and 4 December at Porirua Park
- Philippines defeated Football Ferns 1-0 in the 2023 World Cup
- 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup draw is set for 12 December
- Adult tickets cost $20 and child tickets cost $5
The full story
1 min read · 4 outlets
The Football Ferns will play two international matches against the Philippines at Porirua Park on 29 November and 4 December. The 33rd-ranked New Zealand side will host the 39th-ranked Philippines in what serves as their final fixtures of 2026. These matches follow the cancellation of two scheduled games in Panama caused by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake.
Head coach Michael Mayne noted that the team was in a meeting and he was nearly ready to name the squad for the first match when the earthquake occurred. The earthquake and subsequent evacuations caused unease within the camp. The upcoming series is considered critical as the team prepares for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.
The Football Ferns will hold a training camp at the Phoenix base at NZCIS in Upper Hutt to prepare. The two sides last met at a Wellington stadium in 2023, where the Philippines won 1-0 during a FIFA Women's World Cup group stage match.
Tickets for the matches go on pre-sale to Football Whānau members from 2 November, with general sales starting on 4 November. Adult tickets are priced at $20 and children's tickets are $5, excluding fees. Both games will be broadcast live and free on TVNZ and FIFA+.
How it developed
- Tue 20 Oct, 3:37pmCoach Michael Mayne revealed the team was in a meeting and he was one slide away from naming the team when the Panama earthquake struck.
Where reports differ
- Reports disagree on the location of the 2023 match, citing either Wellington Regional Stadium or Hnry Stadium
Compiled from reports by The Post, Stuff, RNZ and NZ Herald.
