This will be New Zealand Under-20s’ first challenger to Guatemala at the World Cup

The Guatemala U20s will make their World Cup debut in Argentina against New Zealand on Saturday, May 20 at 12 noon.

FIFA has today published a blue and white table for group level responsibilities at the World Cup.

Chapins and the New Zealand players will be responsible for opening the World Cup in Gaucho lands after the venue change.

Then, the Sub 20s face host Argentina on Tuesday, May 23 at 3:00 p.m., while the round ends against Uzbekistan on May 26.

🔔 Team announced 🔔

Our Under 20 squad has been announced @FIFAWorldCup In Argentina.

We will play (local time):

May 20 – Vs. 🇬🇹 Guatemala
May 23 – Vs. 🇺🇿Uzbekistan
May 26 – Vs. 🇦🇷 Argentina #U20WC

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) May 1, 2023

3 matches will be played at the Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero.

But how about Guatemala’s debutant rival? He was already an “old” debutant because of a friendly home run, beating him 3-1.

The team qualified for the sixth consecutive time by winning the Oceania Under-19 Championship.

Kuimi at our home in 🇦🇷! Our World Cup team was able to play in its preparation camp. #VamosGuate #Selection Method pic.twitter.com/j3JbVIhECM

– FEDEFUT GUATEMALA (@fedefut_oficial) May 3, 2023

The “Kiwis”, known by the animal of the same name, have passed the group stage in the last three editions and now they hope to go further.

He also hit home runs against the Blue and Whites, the previous host of the tournament, Indonesia, and a friendly against Fiji. He defeated both together.

English-born coach Darren Pasley was a player at Wolverhampton in Watford before moving to New Zealand.

He reached the country’s U17 in 2009 and from there his career in the country took off.

Jay Herdman, a midfielder who plays for Canada’s Vancouver Whitecaps, stands out in the team.

Up to U-20 in less than a month @FIFAWorldCupWe looked at which players 20 and under have played the most minutes ever #NZNationalLeague the season

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) April 29, 2023