Japan vs New Zealand head-to-head record

Japan wins: 4
Draws: 0
New Zealand wins: 1

5 meetings, 1981 to 2026Goals: Japan 11, New Zealand 5

Japan and New Zealand have met 5 times since 1981. Japan have won 4, New Zealand 1. They last met on 5 October 2026, when Japan won 2–1 in the Kirin Cup.

The 5 meetings have produced 16 goals, 3.20 per game. The biggest win is Japan’s 3–0 at the Confederations Cup in 2003. Japan have won the last four meetings. They went 21 years without meeting, between 1981 and 2003.

Who has won more, Japan or New Zealand?

All matches5 matches

4 Japan0 drawsNew Zealand 1

Competitive4 matches

3 Japan0 drawsNew Zealand 1

Friendlies1 match

1 Japan0 drawsNew Zealand 0

Key numbers

Goals: Japan 11, New Zealand 53.20 per game
First meeting: Japan 0–1 New ZealandMerdeka Tournament, 12 Sept 1981
Most recent: Japan 2–1 New ZealandKirin Cup, 5 Oct 2026
Japan’s biggest win: New Zealand 0–3 JapanConfederations Cup, 18 Jun 2003
New Zealand’s biggest win: Japan 0–1 New ZealandMerdeka Tournament, 12 Sept 1981
Most goals in a meeting: Japan 4–2 New ZealandFriendly, 5 Mar 2014
Current run: Japan, 4 wins in a row
TFN Elo rating now: Japan 1963 (13th), New Zealand 1678 (64th)How the rating works

Last five meetings

5 Oct 2026
Japan2New Zealand1
Kirin Cup
Tokyo, Japan
6 Oct 2017
Japan2New Zealand1
Kirin Challenge Cup
Toyota, Japan
5 Mar 2014
Japan4New Zealand2
Friendly
Tokyo, Japan
18 Jun 2003
New Zealand0Japan3
Confederations Cup
Saint-Denis, France (neutral)
12 Sept 1981
Japan0New Zealand1
Merdeka Tournament
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (neutral)

Every meeting on one timeline

Japan wins

Draws

New Zealand wins

Larger dots mark bigger winning margins. Hover a dot for the result.

Home, away and neutral

In Japan's home games

3 matches

300

JapanDrawsNew Zealand

At neutral venues

2 matches

101

JapanDrawsNew Zealand

Record by competition

Record by competition
Competition	Played	Japan	New Zealand	Goals
Confederations Cup	1	1	0	3–0
Friendly	1	1	0	4–2
Kirin Challenge Cup	1	1	0	2–1
Kirin Cup	1	1	0	2–1
Merdeka Tournament	1	0	1	0–1

Meetings by decade

Japan wins Draws New Zealand wins

Meetings by decade
Decade	Played	Japan	New Zealand	Goals
1980s	1	0	1	1
2000s	1	1	0	3
2010s	2	2	0	9
2020s	1	1	0	3

Longest runs

Longest runs
Longest run of	Japan	New Zealand
Wins in a row	42003 to 2026	11981
Unbeaten meetings	42003 to 2026	11981

Questions answered

How many times have Japan and New Zealand played each other?

5 times, starting on 12 September 1981. 4 of those meetings were competitive and 1 were friendlies.

Who has won more matches between Japan and New Zealand?

Japan, with 4 wins to 1. 0 matches ended level.

What is the biggest win in Japan vs New Zealand?

Japan’s 3–0 win at the Confederations Cup on 18 June 2003 in Saint-Denis.

When did Japan and New Zealand last play?

On 5 October 2026 in Tokyo, when Japan won 2–1 in the Kirin Cup.

What is the competitive record between Japan and New Zealand?

In 4 competitive matches, Japan have 3 wins, New Zealand have 1, and 0 ended level.

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Every Japan vs New Zealand result

All 5 Competitive 4 Friendlies 1

Every Japan vs New Zealand result
Date	Home	Score	Away	Competition	Venue
5 Oct 2026	Japan	2–1	New Zealand	Kirin Cup	Tokyo, Japan
6 Oct 2017	Japan	2–1	New Zealand	Kirin Challenge Cup	Toyota, Japan
5 Mar 2014	Japan	4–2	New Zealand	Friendly	Tokyo, Japan
18 Jun 2003	New Zealand	0–3	Japan	Confederations Cup	Saint-Denis, France (neutral)
12 Sept 1981	Japan	0–1	New Zealand	Merdeka Tournament	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (neutral)