New Zealand walking football team Brisbane

New Zealand’s walking football team is heading to Brisbane for the 2026 International Walking Football Federation World Championships, with the country set to make its first appearance at the event. RNZ reported on May 17 that the squad expected to compete against teams from Australia and Europe later this month. The tournament is scheduled for May 28 to May 31 at Perry Park in Brisbane, according to event organizers. The New Zealand side is made up of players aged 50 and over. ### Who is in the New Zealand squad traveling to Brisbane? Newswire.co.nz reported on May 17 that New Zealand is sending 12 players aged 50 and over to Brisbane. The report said the team will be coached by former All White Neil Haines and that the trip marks New Zealand’s first appearance at the championships. RNZ separately reported that the squad expected to “punch above its weight” on the world stage this month. (rnz.co.nz) Mary Argue of RNZ reported that the players are part of New Zealand’s walking football setup, a version of football designed for older players. Walking Football Australia says the sport is played under rules that require players to walk rather than run, with the format aimed at older age groups and community participation. (newswire.co.nz) ### When and where is the championship being played? Walking Football Australia says Brisbane 2026 will run from May 28 to May 31 at Perry Park in Brisbane. Brisbane Roar said in an April 30 report that Perry Park in Bowen Hills would host the championships and described the event as the first time the tournament has been held in the Southern Hemisphere. (rnz.co.nz) The Walking Football New Zealand website also lists the IWFF World Championships in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, from May 28 to May 31, 2026. A separate post on the same site describes the event as a world cup tournament in Brisbane over those dates. ### What kind of competition will New Zealand face in Brisbane? RNZ reported on May 17 that New Zealand would be competing against teams from Europe and Australia. (walkingfootballaustralia.com) Walking Football Australia said players and supporters would travel from Europe, the United Kingdom and across Asia for the Brisbane event, with teams from regions including Japan and Hong Kong also expected. (walkingfootballnewzealand.org.nz) Brisbane Roar said the championships would bring together national teams from around the world. Organizer material describes Brisbane 2026 as combining the IWFF World Championships with a walking football festival at one venue. ### How established is walking football in New Zealand and Australia? (rnz.co.nz) Walking Football Australia says it has previously taken teams to London, Florence, Wales, Chesterfield and Sweden in recent years as the sport expanded internationally. The group said Australia hosted seven teams at the 2024 IWFF World Championships in Chesterfield and planned to stage the Brisbane event in 2026 after seeking to bring the tournament to Australia since 2018. (brisbaneroar.com.au) The New Zealand side’s trip to Brisbane adds the country to that international field for the first time, according to Newswire.co.nz. RNZ’s May 17 report said the team’s players were preparing to test themselves on the world stage later this month. ### Where can readers follow what happens next? (walkingfootballaustralia.com) Walking Football Australia has posted Brisbane 2026 event details on its tournament page, and Walking Football New Zealand has listed the championship dates on its website. RNZ published its report on May 17 as the team prepared to leave for matches later in May. The championships are scheduled to begin on May 28 at Perry Park in Brisbane, with New Zealand’s first participation set to unfold across the four-day event. (newswire.co.nz) (walkingfootballaustralia.com)