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The All Whites will play their home and away series with Iran as the first stage of their Confederations Cup soccer build-up.

The matches between New Zealand, as Oceania Nations Cup winners, and Iran, the Asian Games champions, will be played at North Harbour Stadium on March 28 and in Iran five days later.

New Zealand Soccer (NZS) bosses had had reservations about traveling to the Middle East, hinting they were considering a neutral venue for the return leg.

But, following government advice, NZS chief executive Bill MacGowan today confirmed the matches would go ahead as planned.

"We have been assured there should be no problems."

The matches have been timed to coincide with a weekend when European-based players would be available.

For coach Mick Waitt, who will name 18 players for the two matches, it will be his last opportunity to assess his options before naming the 23 players for the Confederations Cup.

MacGowan, who has just returned from Europe with Waitt, said they had been encouraged by the support for the All Whites.

Slipping just one place, to 49, on the latest Fifa rankings, the All Whites are seen as attractive opposition.

"We are 99 per cent certain to play Scotland in one of our warm-up games," MacGowan said.

"We also have had interest from Wales, the Republic of Ireland, Croatia, France, Hungary, Jamaica and even Argentina.

"Jamaica and Argentina have suggested they would come to France to play us before the Confederations Cup. The game against France can't be looked at until after the Confederations Cup draw on February 12.

"If we are drawn in the opposite group to the French they have offered us a game."

With Turkey now confirmed as the eighth and final team for the Confederations Cup, which starts on June 18, New Zealand are the only attending country not to have played at this year's World Cup.

"It is a huge opportunity for us," MacGowan said.

"To retain our place in the top-50 we have to keep playing. The games against Iran will be really important on that count."

MacGowan said NZS was looking to base the All Whites in England before the Confederations Cup.

"We visited Mottram Hall (just outside Manchester) and The Springs (in Leicester) and were blown away by the facilities.

"It will now depend on what arrangement we can make before coming to a decision."

The All Whites will assemble in England on May 23 or 24 with the game against Scotland scheduled for May 27.

Waitt is looking for four warm-up games before the Confederations Cup.

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