FIFA confirm date for New Zealand vs. Costa Rica World Cup playoff
The winners of the one-off play-off game in Doha will progress to the 2022 Qatar World Cup and will play in Group E at the tournament.
New Zealand will face Costa Rica in an intercontinental World Cup qualifier in Doha, Qatar on 14 June, New Zealand Football (NZF) said on Wednesday.
The All Whites took a big step towards qualifying for the World Cup finals for the first time since 2010 after progressing through Oceania’s qualification with a 100% record.
They will face Costa Rica, who finished fourth in the CONCACAF qualifying standings and are 31st in the FIFA rankings to New Zealand’s 101st.
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The winner of the playoff will enter Group E, which features four-times champions Germany, 2010 winners Spain and Japan.
The tournament will run from Nov. 21 to Dec 18. It will be the first time the tournament has been hosted in the Middle East.