Traditionally known for their rugby passion, the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions are experiencing a notable shift as football begins to capture local enthusiasm.

With the All Whites scheduled to face Vanuatu in a crucial Fifa World Cup qualifier at FMG Stadium Waikato on November 15, excitement is building around the beautiful game. Sports fever appears to be extending beyond the oval ball.

Recent statistics reveal a significant rise in football participation in local clubs, with junior players increasing by 10 per cent, youth by 19 per cent, and seniors by 11 per cent over recent years.

Waikato Bay of Plenty Football (WaiBOP) is enthusiastically embracing this surge, which is invigorating the local football scene.

The looming All Whites match is expected to further amplify interest and support for the sport. Local coaches and football clubs attribute this growing interest to the sport’s accessibility and global appeal.

“This growth is something we’re really excited to see,” said Karyn Walters, chief executive of WaiBOP Football.

“Football has an amazing ability to bring people together, and it’s great to see everyone getting behind it. The All Whites match in November is a huge deal for our community, and we can’t wait to show our support.”

Established in 2000, WaiBOP Football oversees the development of the sport across Eastern Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupō, Thames/Coromandel, Waikato, and Western Bay of Plenty.

FMG Stadium Waikato will host the New Zealand v Vanuatu game.

As football increasingly becomes the preferred team sport among children aged 5-18 in New Zealand, the national body has implemented the Whole of Football Plan, aimed at fostering the sport’s growth and ensuring its long-term success.

With three national teams – the All Whites, the Football Ferns and the Futsal Whites – gaining recognition internationally, WaiBOP Football is poised to build on this momentum, enhancing opportunities for players, coaches, and fans alike.

The match against Vanuatu is more than just a qualifier. It offers local fans a rare chance to connect with their national team and experience international football in their own backyard.

Ricky Broderson, coach at Northern United Football, emphasised the significance of such events.

“Our players are eager to see the All Whites live – it’s a rare chance here. The more they see New Zealand represented on the world stage, the more they want to be part of it.”

Adding to the excitement, the event will kick off with a curtain raiser featuring Samoa versus Tahiti, ensuring a full afternoon of international football for fans.

The All Whites are playing two Fifa World Cup qualifier games in November after New Zealand was confirmed as one of four host nations for the qualifying series.

They play Vanuatu in Hamilton on November 15 and will meet Samoa at Go Media Stadium, Mt Smart, Auckland on Monday, November 18.

New Zealand will also host the series semifinals and final next March.

New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell. Photo / NZ Football

“We are thrilled to have won these hosting rights, bringing the All Whites home starting this November 2024 and fate permitting again in March 2025, and excited to begin our Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifying journey,” said New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell.

“This helps us fulfil a number of our strategic objectives.

“We have to continue to play the All Whites in every international window and bring them home every year to create excitement, pride, and connection with Kiwis.

“We also believe this will be the start of our journey to qualify for and win games at the Fifa World Cup 2026.

“We have worked really hard to put our best foot forward with Oceania Football to ensure we are hosting quality tournaments and matches for all of Oceania, hosting the men’s Olympic qualification tournament and OFC Futsal Cup in 2023, so to secure the hosting rights for these critical games in 2024 and 2025 is enormously satisfying.

“Football has already seen huge growth, exacerbated by the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023, and we know that is only set to continue with the All Whites campaign to the Fifa World Cup 2026.”

Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate welcomed the looming clash.

“This is fantastic news. We are excited to welcome the All Whites to play in Hamilton for the very first time.

“Not only is this good news for Hamilton’s football fans and players, but it will attract people from across New Zealand as well as international visitors,” she said.

“This is a great way to showcase the top-class facilities and hosting we offer, while also supporting our fabulous hospitality and visitor businesses.”

How the qualifying series works

Qualifying campaigns are now under way as nations vie for a place at biggest World Cup ever.

New Zealand is one of the four hosts of the OFC Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifiers, along with Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. The qualifiers began last month.

After round one of qualifying in September in Samoa, which featured the hosts alongside Cook Islands, American Samoa and Tonga, match day three in October was hosted at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, Fiji and VFF Freshwater Stadium in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Group A fixtures took place in Suva on Thursday, October 10, with Fiji beating the Solomon Islands 1-0 and New Caledonia beating Papua New Guinea 3-1.

Group B fixtures took place in Port Vila on Friday, October 11, with New Zealand beating Tahiti 3-0, and on Saturday, October 12, with Vanuatu beating round-one winner Samoa 4-1.

The Fifa World Cup.

Match days four and five are during the November Fifa international window, with matches at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton and Auckland in New Zealand and at PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

In Group A matches in Port Moresby, the Solomon Islands play New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea meet Fiji on Thursday, November 14, before the final round of group fixtures, when Fiji meet New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea play the Solomon Islands on Sunday, November 17.

In Group B, the winner of round one will face Tahiti, whilst New Zealand will meet Vanuatu at Waikato Stadium on Friday, November 15, before the final group matches are played on Monday, November 18, when Tahiti face Vanuatu and New Zealand meet Samoa, who were the winners of round one in Auckland.

The top two sides in Groups A and B will progress to the semifinals, with the winners progressing to the final, all set to be played in New Zealand in March 2025.

Match days six and seven will be held in New Zealand in March, with the Group A winners to meet the Group B runners-up and the Group B winners to face the Group A runners-up, followed by the final, to determine which country qualifies for the 2026 Fifa World Cup and which country goes to the Fifa Intercontinental play-off tournament.

Tickets to the New Zealand qualifiers are available through Ticketek, inviting the community to join the growing football movement and support the All Whites as they pursue history on their journey to the Fifa World Cup 2026.

Friday, November 15 (7.30pm): All Whites vs Vanuatu, Fifa World Cup qualifier, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton. Adults $20, Kids $5.