Ferns coach Michael Mayne: ‘Panama games key step in World Cup preparation’

Head coach Michael Mayne says playing Panama in a two-match series in October will help New Zealand’s Football Ferns prepare for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“One of the real benefits of this tour is the chance to compete in a Latin American environment ahead of Brazil 2027,” Mayne said after NZ Football confirmed the double fixture in Panama City.

“It’s a different football culture, different playing conditions, and a different atmosphere around matches.

“Those experiences are difficult to replicate anywhere else, so having the opportunity to immerse ourselves in that setting now will be invaluable as we continue preparing for next year’s tournament.”

Panama are #56 in the FIFA women’s world rankings, while the Ferns are #32.

They will host New Zealand in the games at the Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez in Panama City.

The games will be the first-ever encounters between the two nations in senior women’s international football, though Panama are no strangers to Aotearoa New Zealand, having qualified for their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 at the play-off tournament held in Kirikiriroa Hamilton.

The Central Americans come into the series in good form, having won six of their last 10 fixtures, including a 1-0 away win over the Matildas in Western Australia.

The matches between the Ford Football Ferns and Panama will be played a week after the All Whites take on the Central American nation in game one of October’s Kirin Cup series in Japan.

Mayne says the games in Panama are an important step in the Ferns preparation after performances in June against Morocco and Haiti.

“From October, time and tours will fast disappear, so maximising each window until we ultimately name our World Cup squad is really important,” he said.

“Panama are a competitive side with their own ambitions on the international stage and are not to be taken lightly, considering they beat the Matildas last year in Australia and pushed them in a tight 3-2 defeat in the second match.”

Fixtures

Game to be played on Sunday, October 11, 2026 (NZT)

Panama v New Zealand
Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez, Panama City, Panama , 10am (NZT)

Game to be played on Wednesday October 14, 2026 (NZT)

Panama v New Zealand
Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez, Panama City, Panama , 10am (NZT)

This story was first published on August 26 2026.

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