Finn Surman has been selected by the New Zealand Football Federation for the All Whites' upcoming international window. The 22-year-old Portland Timbers defender will join the squad for two friendlies and two Kirin Cup matches in Asia.
New Zealand Football Federation confirmed the call-up, stating Surman and the team are set to play two friendlies and two Kirin Cup matches. The friendlies will take place in Chongqing, China, against Palestine on September 24 and China on September 27. The squad then travels to Japan for the Kirin Cup, facing Panama on October 1 and either Japan or Ecuador on October 5.
Surman has become a key figure for his country, earning 22 caps and scoring three goals since his debut in November 2023. He played every minute of New Zealand's three group-stage matches in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign. His most recent international goal came against Egypt on June 21.
The call-up comes as New Zealand look to build momentum after a difficult start to their World Cup campaign. The All Whites currently sit fourth in their group with just one point from three matches. Their recent form shows zero wins, one draw, and four defeats in the last five outings, including a 5-1 loss to Belgium in late June.
At club level, Surman has been a consistent starter for the Portland Timbers this season, making 25 appearances and contributing one goal and one assist. His next international assignment is a World Cup qualifier away to Turkmenistan on September 24. The full squad list for the upcoming window is available on our squad page.
Further reading: timbers.com
