17 Jul 2020

All Whites set to play world number one

9:15 am on 17 July 2020

In a football encounter of David versus Goliath proportions, the All Whites are set to play the world's top ranked side Belgium in October.

All Whites captain Winston Reid and Troy Parrott of Ireland

The All White are ranked 122nd in the world. Photo: Photosport

New Zealand Football has confirmed it has provisional plans to take on Belgium in Brussels on 9 October.

The All White are ranked 122nd in the latest FIFA rankings.

New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell said it had agreed with the Belgium football association "that if at any point either football association deem the event unsafe it will be cancelled."

"Putting on any sporting event in these times is challenging but the return of professional club football over these past months, and now international football across Europe has been very encouraging," said Pragnell.

"The number of Kiwis playing professional football in Europe now makes fixtures such as this more viable at this time," he said.

The match is also dependent on Oceania qualification pathway to the 2022 World Cup.

All Whites coach Danny Hay described the opportunity for his side as "massive".

"This is a real opportunity for the team to test themselves against some of the best players on the planet. Playing any game in this environment is going to have its difficulties but I can't wait to be back with the squad."

New All Whites coach Danny Hay.

Danny Hay. Photo: Photosport

-RNZ

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