Maia Jackman will be back in familiar territory when New Zealand play world No 8 and 2004 Olympic silver medallist Brazil in their opening match at the women's soccer World Cup in China on September 12.
The match will be played at the Wuhan Sport Centre, where Jackman
played the second half for the Women's World Star XI against China in front of 31,000 spectators on Saturday.
A last-minute strike earned the home side a 3-2 victory.
Second up, the John Herdman-coached New Zealanders will play European powerhouse Denmark (ranked sixth on Fifa's latest list) on September 15, again in Wuhan.
Their last group match promises to be a cracker against world No 11 China who, if they are still in the race for a play-off spot, will attract huge support for the September 19 clash in Tianjin.
"Everyone is saying we're in one of the two hardest groups but for us it's a perfect draw," New Zealand Soccer chief executive Graham Seatter said after the draw was made.
"It's going to be extremely difficult for us but we're very happy."
Australia, one of four Asian confederation sides in the 16-team World Cup, have fared a little better, being drawn in group C with Norway, Ghana and Canada. NZ teams have also qualified for the men's under-17 and under-20 world champs this year.
Waitakere United have the chance to join them on the world stage in what will be a busy international year if they can beat Fijian champions Ba in the second leg of the O-League final at Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday to win through to December's Fifa Club World Cup in Japan.
