According to the recent reports, New Zealand will face Mexico in March as part of the warm-up match to their first World Cup finals appearance since 1982.

The New Zealand team will face the world’s 17th ranked team in Los Angeles on March 3, in the first of up to six warm-up matches for the finals in South Africa.

Further, New Zealand will play against world champions Italy, Slovakia and Paraguay in Group F at the World Cup and national coach Ricki Herbert told reporters that the Kiwis had been eager to play against the Latin American team in the build-up.

Ricki said, “I think with Paraguay in the group, a game against Mexico is ideal for us. A big name, a very strong team but a good opportunity to get our team back together in the only window leading up to the World Cup.”

Earlier, the Kiwis managed to reach the World Cup finals after beating Bahrain in their final qualifying tie last month.