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New Zealand welcome Vanuatu to the Waikato Stadium for a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday (November 15th). The game will be played at the 25,000-seater venue that is usually used to host rugby matches involving the All Blacks, New Zealand's world-famous national rugby team.
The hosts are coming into the game on the back of a 4-0 thrashing of Malaysia in an international friendly during the last international break in October. All four goals were scored in the second half, with Elijah Just, Matthew Garbett, Chris Wood and Logan Rogerson scoring a goal each in the rout.
The All Whites will shift their attention back to the qualifiers, where their last game saw them secure a 3-0 home win over Tahiti.
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Vanuatu, meanwhile, claimed maximum points with a 4-1 home win over Samoa. Mitch Cooper broke the deadlock in the seventh minute while John Alick scored a hat-trick. Nathan Viliamu scored a consolation strike in the 54th minute.
The respective wins left both sides at the summit of Group B on three points.
New Zealand vs Vanuatu Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- New Zealand have won 10 of 11 prior head-to-head games. Vanuatu were victorious once.
- Their most recent clash came in June 2024 when New Zealand claimed a 3-0 victory in the final of the OFC Nations Cup.
- Seven of New Zealand's last eight games have produced three goals or more.
- Vanuatu's last six games have produced over 2.5 goals.
- Nine of New Zealand's last 10 games have seen at least one side fail to find the back of the net.
- All 11 head-to-head games have produced three goals or more.
- New Zealand form guide: W-W-D-L-W Vanuatu form guide: W-L-L-L-W
New Zealand vs Vanuatu Prediction
New Zealand climbed four places to 91st in the latest FIFA World Rankings. They have won the last five head-to-head games on the bounce and Darren Bazeley's side are heavily fancied to claim maximum points here.
Vanuatu, meanwhile, climbed five places to 157th and ended their three-game losing run with their victory last time out. The Men in Black and Gold have never made it to the World Cup and an unlikely win here would send a statement of intent.
We are backing the home side to claim a comfortable victory and clean sheet.
Prediction: New Zealand 4-0 Vanuatu
New Zealand vs Vanuatu Betting Tips
Tip 1 - New Zealand to win
Tip 2 - Both teams to score: No
Tip 3 - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 4 - Halftime/Fulltime result: New Zealand/New Zealand
