Mietinnens called up as Finland name squad to go to New Zealand

Lukas Hradecky has been called up by Finland despite injury

Captain Lukas Hradecky has recovered from a knee injury in time to be named in the Finland squad for this month's FIFA Series matches with New Zealand and Cape Verde.

Goalkeeper Hradecky hasn't featured since picking up the injury playing for Monaco at home to Lyon on 3rd January, but remains in line to win his 103rd cap against New Zealand.

As well as his familiar face, there will be a fresh face in the squad this month, as head coach Jacob Friis has called up centre-back Samuli Mietinnen, who recently left KuPS to join Istra 1961 in Croatia.

His unrelated namesake, Tony Miettinen, who is also a centre-back and won a league title in 2025, albeit with Swedish side Mjallby, could also make his debut having been named in the squad for November's international games before having to withdraw due to injury.

Daniel Hakans returns to the squad after a year away, providing some extra attacking power to a squad which can no longer call upon the services of record goal scorer, Teemu Pukki.

Finland will be taking part in the FIFA Series for the first time. The 2026 Series is the second edition of the invitational competition, after the debut in 2024.

The 2026 FIFA Series will see nine four-team friendly tournaments played in different venues across the world, with each featuring teams from four different confederations. Some tournaments follow a semi-finals and final format, while other consist of a group format.

The Eagle Owls will be playing in the New Zealand tournament, which operates a group format, against the hosts on027th March and Cape Verde on 30th March. All matches in the tournament will be played at Eden Park in Auckland. Chile are the other team in the competition.

Speaking to the media after naming the squad, Friis spoke about the decision to go to the other side of the world for these matches.

"When we were thinking about potential opponents for the March window, I had one criterion. We needed opponents whose level would prepare us for the UEFA Nations League in the autumn. We wanted to face teams that were close to us in the FIFA rankings," he expained.

Finland are ranked 75th in the world, 10 places higher than the All Whites, while Cape Verde are 67th. Both opponents are preparing for this summer's FIFA World Cup.

"FIFA asked us to participate in this tournament in New Zealand. After discussions, we decided to go. We also talked to the players about the long journey. New Zealand is far away, but that will not be visible on the pitch."

Goalkeepers: Lukas Hradecky,0Jesse Joronen,0Viljami Sinisalo

Defenders: Juho Lahteenmaki, Tony Miettinen, Ville Koski, Miro Tenho, Nikolai Alho, Samuli Miettinen, Ryan Mahuta

Midfielders: Matti Peltola, Leo Walta, Kaan Kairinen, Adam Markhiev, Anssi Suhonen, Topi Keskinen, Onni Valakari

Forwards: Daniel Hakans, Joel Pohjanpalo,0Casper Terho,0Benjamin Kallman,0Oliver Antman,0Naatan Skytta

Follow Finland's matches in the FIFA Series on Flashscore.