The Ford Football Ferns will end 2026 with two home games in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington against the Philippines (FIFA ranking 39) on 29 November and 4 December, continuing their programme of matches as they build towards next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

Both games will be played at Porirua Park, home of Wellington Phoenix women and the venue for the side’s historic A-League Women semi-final win earlier this year, which secured their place in their first-ever Grand Final. 

The series comes after the Ford Football Ferns’ October fixtures in Panama were cancelled following an earthquake in the country. 

Tickets will go on pre-sale to Football Whānau members from 2 November, with general sale beginning on 4 November. 

Adult tickets will cost $20, while child tickets (14 and under) will cost $5, plus ticketing fees. 

“Porirua Park has established itself over the past few seasons as a real part of women’s football DNA in New Zealand, so it is significant to take two senior international matches there for the first time,” says Ford Football Ferns head coach Michael Mayne. 

“I have visited a number of times before and was at the ground when the Nix won their semi-final, which was an amazing event to be part of. 

“I was there as a coach, of course, but I also allowed myself to enjoy the spectacle as a fan of women’s football.  

“It left me feeling that our women’s national team would absolutely thrive on the energy the Yellow Fever bring to their team, and we want to experience that as a national team. 

“We are looking forward to bringing the team there to experience it all, seeing how many people we can cram into Porirua and how much noise those supporters can bring to the two matches.  

“Playing in Wellington also gives the team the opportunity for an extended training camp at NZCIS, a world-class facility that gives us the best possible resources to prepare for these games and next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup which is important for our 2027 planning before we head to Brazil.” 

The two games continue the Ferns’ programme of fixtures as they build towards the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil, with the team set to learn their opponents for the tournament at the official draw on 12 December. 

The fixtures will complete the home international calendar for New Zealand’s senior national teams, with eight games having been played in Aotearoa for the All Whites and Ford Football Ferns in 2026, delivering on New Zealand Football’s long-standing aim of bringing both teams home every year.  Both matches will be broadcast live and free on DAZN – the home of FIFA+ as well as TVNZ.

Article added: Tuesday 20 October 2026