Football: All Whites set to make international return ahead of 2022 Fifa World Cup

Danny Hay and the All Whites have been sidelined for nearly two years. Photo / Photosport

The All Whites are set to end their long international hibernation, with up to four matches in the Middle East or Europe later this year.

The Herald understands that New Zealand Football are close to finalising games during the Fifa international window in October, and hopeful that they will be able to arrange at least one friendly match during November.

There are a myriad of logistical challenges, but NZF are confident they can be overcome, unlike last year when scheduled games against Belgium and England were eventually canned due to player availability.

If the All Whites do assemble, it will end a prolonged period of inactivity.

They haven't been sighted since November 2019, when they played in Ireland and Lithuania.

But even before that they had been mothballed, with the game in Dublin the first in almost 18 months, since a four-nation tournament in India in June 2018, which didn't include many senior players.

It's been a quiet cycle.

For varying reasons, the All Whites have played just six times since the 2017 Peru playoffs, and the likes of Chris Wood, Ryan Thomas and Winston Reid have had just one appearance in that time.

In contrast, the All Whites assembled 23 times in the 2010-2014 cycle before the intercontinental playoffs with Mexico, while Anthony Hudson had 27 games to prepare ahead of the clashes with Peru.

The Middle East is the most likely destination in October. Many of the Asian heavyweights are engaged in World Cup qualification, but there are some strong teams who missed the cut for the third round and would provide good opposition for the All Whites (world No 119).

These include Uzbekistan (No 83), Bahrain (94), Jordan (95), Tajikistan (116) and Kuwait (142).

Jordan were pipped by Uruguay for a spot at the 2014 World Cup, while Kuwait are historical rivals. NZF have a relationship with Bahrain after the epic series in 2009, while Uzbekistan were opponents in Hudson's first match in charge.

October games in Europe appear less likely, as all of the UEFA nations are engaged in World Cup qualifying.

November should offer greater options, with more European teams likely to have free dates.

Players from the-A League won't be able to make the trip, due to MIQ requirements, but coach Danny Hay will have a substantial European contingent to call upon, recently bolstered by moves for Gianni Stensness (Viking, Norway) and Matthew Garbett (Torino). MLS players, like Michael Boxall, should also be options.

Hay told the Herald last month he is planning to be away for a few months, together with four or five key staff, as it won't be feasible to return between games.

NZF are desperate to build on the momentum created by the Oly Whites in Japan, while there is also the realisation that the All Whites need game time ahead of the Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament, expected to be held in January in Qatar.

After that there is only one more Fifa window (March) before the Oceania representatives will face either Asian, North American or South American opposition in the Intercontinental playoffs, slated for the first two weeks of June 2022.

Upcoming international windows

2021
31 August to 8 September
October 4 to October 12
November 9 to November 17

2022
March 21 to March 29
May 30 to June 14 (set aside for Intercontinental playoffs)