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New Zealand has guaranteed a place in the line-up of champions playing the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia after defeating Papua New Guinea 4-2 on penalties (0-0 AET) in the final of the 2016 OFC Nations Cup.
The All Whites will join Russia (host), Germany (2014 FIFA World Cup winners), Australia (2015 AFC Asian Cup winners), Chile (2015 Copa América winners) and Mexico (2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup winners) who have all already qualified. The UEFA champions will be decided on July 10 in the EURO 2016 final and the CAF champions on February 12 at the 2017 African Cup of Nations.
“I congratulate New Zealand who have proved their quality and once again become champions of Oceania. It will be a long trip to Russia, but I am sure that the players and fans will have cherished memories of their visit and our hospitality for a long time to come. The line-up of the Confederations Cup is taking shape and we have a lot to look forward to,” said 2018 FIFA World Cup Ambassador and former Russia captain Alexei Smertin, who is also a FIFA Legend.
The FIFA Confederations Cup will be hosted for the first time in Russia, between June 17 and July 2, 2017, one year before the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It will consist of 16 matches played in the four Host Cities of Kazan, Moscow, Sochi and Saint Petersburg. The All Whites will take part in the tournament for the fourth time, having played the 1999 edition in Mexico, the 2003 edition in France and the 2009 edition in South Africa.
