The All Whites will go into next year's Confederations Cup in South Africa full of confidence despite being drawn in the same group as Spain, Fifa's top-ranked side.
Along with the European champions, New Zealand will face South Africa and Iraq in group A.
On Fifa's latest rankings,
Spain are the top-ranked team, obviously, in the group ahead of New Zealand (60), Iraq (75) and South Africa (80).
The heavyweights in group B are all ranked inside the top 25. That group is led by second-ranked Italy, joined by Brazil (6), Egypt (24) and the United States (24). The US rose as high as eighth in 2005.
"This is really exciting," said All Whites coach Ricki Herbert. "To play the number one team in the world is fantastic. The other teams in our group certainly whet the lips. It is a major coup to be drawn to play Iraq. That is ideal from our point of view as we have to play an Asian team in November in our World Cup qualifier.
"Spain will be a true test and it will be great to play South Africa in South Africa - that will guarantee a huge crowd."
New Zealand open their campaign with the second match on June 14 playing Spain in Rustenburg after South Africa have met Iraq in the tournament opener in Johannesburg.
New Zealand Football chairman Frank van Hattum is in South Africa and is expected to have talks with prospective opponents. Teams cannot play any countries from their group in warm-up matches.
The All Whites will play friendlies on March 28 and April 1 with Herbert's preference to play teams from Asia or the Middle East with an eye to the crucial home and away World Cup ties.
NZ at 2009 Confederations Cup:
Group A
June 14 v Spain, Rustenburg
June 17 v South Africa, Rustenburg
June 20, v Iraq, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
