All Whites Set for Crucial Canadian Shield Tournament Ahead of World Cup Bid

High-Stakes Matches in Toronto Could Shape New Zealand’s World Cup Dreams

New Zealand’s long wait for a return to the FIFA World Cup could soon come to an end. The All Whites have officially confirmed their participation in the inaugural Canadian Shield tournament, set to take place this June in Toronto, Canada. This high-profile event will serve as a crucial test for Darren Bazeley’s squad as they eye a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The All Whites will face Côte d’Ivoire (FIFA rank 46) on Sunday, June 8, at 11:00 AM NZT (Saturday, June 7, at 7:00 PM local time) before taking on Ukraine (FIFA rank 25) on Wednesday, June 11, at 9:00 AM NZT (Tuesday, June 10, at 5:00 PM local time). Both matches will be played at BMO Field in Toronto, a venue that will also host games during the 2026 World Cup.

Tournament Format and What’s at Stake

The Canadian Shield will feature a unique points system:

• Three points for a win
• One point for a draw
• Two points for a shootout victory

All matches will have a definitive result, with games heading straight to a penalty shootout if the score is level after 90 minutes (plus injury time).

If New Zealand secures qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 through the Oceania Qualifiers this month, these fixtures will form a key part of their preparation. Playing in Toronto, one of the tournament’s host cities, will provide invaluable experience in adapting to the conditions they could face in two years’ time.

Path to the World Cup: The Oceania Qualifiers

Before their trip to Canada, the All Whites must first navigate the FIFA World Cup 2026 – Oceania Qualifiers.

New Zealand faces Fiji in the semi-final on Friday, March 21, 2025, at Sky Stadium in Wellington. A win will see them advance to the final on March 24 at Eden Park in Auckland, where they will meet the winner of the New Caledonia vs. Tahiti semi-final.

Should they triumph, the All Whites would qualify for their first men’s FIFA World Cup in 16 years, a historic moment for New Zealand football.

Coach Bazeley: “A Real Test for Us”

Head coach Darren Bazeley is eager for the challenge that awaits his team in Canada:

“We have structured our preparation to ensure that if we qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026, we will have faced a variety of strong opponents. Côte d’Ivoire and Ukraine will provide exactly the kind of test we need.”

“Additionally, competing in another host nation will give us valuable experience and insight into what we might encounter in 2026 if we get through qualification this month.”

With a potential World Cup return on the horizon, the All Whites are gearing up for a pivotal period in their campaign, and the Canadian Shield could prove to be the ultimate proving ground.