Gemma Grainger’s Cymru will take on New Zealand, next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup hosts, in an international challenge match on Tuesday 28 June (KO 18:00 BST) in the Pinatar Arena in Spain.
The two sides last met in June 2019, when a Kayleigh Green goal secured the 1-0 win for Cymru in drizzly conditions at the Leckwith Stadium in Cardiff. The match will see a return to south-east Spain for Grainger’s side, after competing in the 2022 Pinatar Cup in February.
New Zealand, ranked 22nd in the world, will be hosting next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup alongside Australia. Cymru are currently sitting in second place in their Qualifying Round group in the bid to reach the tournament down-under and will hope to secure a play-off spot with two matches remaining, away to Greece and home to Slovenia.
“This is a great opportunity for our preparation ahead of the final qualifying round group matches in September. This is the next step in the growth of the team. New Zealand are a higher ranked opposition, and we want to continue with that mentality of challenging ourselves in different ways.” – Gemma Grainger
