New Zealand and Palestine have drawn 2-2 in a friendly international in Chongqing, China.
Both teams used the game to provide opportunities for new players, with All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley giving debuts to goalkeeper Henry Gray, defender George Stanger and teenage striker Stipe Ukich. He also used 10 substitutes.
Striker Ben Waine put New Zealand ahead after only five minutes.
In the 27th minute, Assad Al Hamlawi levelled for Palestine, heading in a Waidi Nabhan corner for his first national team goal.
Eight minutes later, winger Jesse Randall restored New Zealand’s lead.
However, Palestine’s Oday Dabbagh scored his 18th goal for his country, sending the teams into half-time tied at 2-2.
Making use of new FIFA regulations for friendlies (that allow up to 11 substitutions), Bazely went to his bench with double changes at the start of the second half and after 56 minutes, and a quadruple change in the 66th minute. He made another double switch in the 76th minute.
Going into the fixture, New Zealand were rated #86 in the FIFA men’s rankings, while Palestine were #95.
The match was not broadcast or streamed live.
READ MORE: Live stream unavailable for All Whites’ match against Palestine >>>>
New Zealand line-up
Captained by midfielder Alex Rufer, the starting line-up for New Zealand was: Michael Woud, Sam Sutton, Lachlan Bayliss, Logan Rogerson, Alex Rufer) Bill Tuiloma, George Stanger, Dane Ingham, Ben Waine, Jesse Randall, Owen Parker-Price.
Substitutes: Alex Paulsen, Henry Gray, Tyler Bindon, Moses Dyer, Callan Elliot, Eli Just, Callum McCowatt, Marko Stamenic, Stipe Ukich, Dalton Wilkins.
Winger Ben Old was omitted from the matchday squad after he arrived late in China due to commitments with his Saint-Étienne club.
Result
Game played on Thursday September 24, 2026
Palestine 2 (Assad Al Hamlawi 27′. Oday Dabbagh 39′)
New Zealand 2 (Ben Waine 5′, Jesse Randall 35′)
Fixtures
Game to be played on Monday September 28, 2026
New Zealand v China PR
Longxing Football Stadium, Chongqing, China, 12.35am (NZT)
Games to be played on Thursday October 1, 2026 (NZT)
Match 1
New Zealand v Panama
Yokohama International Stadium, Yokohama, Japan, kick-off 7.10pm
Match 2
Japan v Ecuador
Yokohama International Stadium, Yokohama, Japan, kick-off tbc
Games to be played on Monday October 5, 2026 (NZT)
Play-off for third
Losers match 1 v losers match 2
National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan, kick-off tbc
Final
Winners match 1 v winners match 2
National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan, kick-off tbc
Game to be played on Thursday November 12, 2026
New Zealand v India
Go Media Stadium, Mt Smart, 7pm
READ MORE: All Whites to play two-match series against India in Auckland and Christchurch >>>>
Game to be played on Sunday November 15, 2026
New Zealand v India
One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch, 4pm
This story was first published on September 24, 2026.