The matches were announced as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi\u2019s visit to New Zealand and will form part of a series of sporting events to celebrate \u2018100 Years of Unity Through Sport\u2019 between the two nations.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India and New Zealand have faced each other on two previous occasions. Their first meeting ended in a goalless draw in the 1981 Merdeka Tournament in Malaysia, while New Zealand registered a 2-1 victory in the 2018 Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The upcoming tour will mark the Indian men\u2019s national team\u2019s first-ever visit to New Zealand. It will also be their first trip to an Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) member nation since 2005, when India played two international friendlies against Fiji.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand recently participated in the FIFA World Cup 2026, where they drew with Iran and suffered defeats against Egypt and Belgium.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India head coach Khalid Jamil believes the two matches will provide his players with a valuable challenge against a side with recent experience of competing at the highest level.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand recently participated in the FIFA World Cup 2026, where they drew with Iran and suffered defeats against Egypt and Belgium.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India will face New Zealand in the opening friendly at the Go Media Stadium in Auckland on Thursday, November 12, before the two teams meet again at the One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch on Sunday, November 15.<\/p>\r\n\r\n