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Tottenham Hotspur play a friendly against Auckland FC at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, on Sunday, July 26 (Saturday night in North America). It is Spurs' first summer under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi and will be Auckland FC's largest pre-season match against Premier League opposition.

The match will be broadcast live on Tottenham's official streaming platform and a number of international broadcasters are set to broadcast the game.

Auckland FC vs. Tottenham Hotspur Kickoff Time

The friendly will be played at:

USA (ET): 11:00 p.m. (Saturday, July 25)

USA (PT): 8:00 p.m. (Saturday, July 25)

Canada (ET): 11:00 p.m. (Saturday, July 25)

Mexico (CDT): 10:00 p.m. (Saturday, July 25)

United Kingdom (BST): 4:00 a.m.

Brazil (BRT): 12:00 a.m.

Argentina: 1:00 a.m.

South Africa (SAST): 5:00 a.m.

Saudi Arabia (AST): 6:00 a.m.

UAE (GST): 7:00 a.m.

India (IST): 8:30 a.m.

China (CST): 11:00 a.m.

Japan (JST): 12:00 p.m.

South Korea (KST): 12:00 p.m.

Australia (AEST): 1:00 p.m.

New Zealand (NZST): 3:00 p.m.

How to Watch Auckland FC vs. Tottenham Hotspur

The match will be streamed on the following platforms:

USA: SpursPlay, Prime Video (CBS Sports Golazo Network feed where available)

United Kingdom: SpursPlay

Canada: SpursPlay

Australia: SpursPlay

New Zealand: SpursPlay

India: SpursPlay

Tottenham has announced that all of its pre-season games will be broadcast live through the club's subscription service in areas where it is available. Depending on territorial rights, fans in some areas may also be able to watch the games live via local broadcast partners or streaming services.

After the Auckland game, Spurs will play against Sydney FC, Chelsea, Getafe and Hoffenheim in the remaining preseason games before the 2026-27 Premier League season starts. The club will hope the New Zealand stop will be the perfect opportunity to develop fitness and incorporate Roberto De Zerbi's tactical ideas before the new season.

Tottenham begin their preseason schedule against MK Dons today, and fans can find all the key information here, including how to watch the live stream, the latest team news, predicted lineups and what to expect from the opening friendly.

UPDATE: Mateus Fernandes gets on the board for Spurs, lacing Mathys Tel's corner into the top right corner. The hydration break — yes, they're still doing those — has come and gone and Tottenham holds a 1-0 lead.

Dons defense has been difficult for De Zerbi's squad to solve, as Spurs hold possession for two straight minutes without a chance.

Pedro Porro’s World Cup Win Leaves Spurs Shorthanded

With several first-team regulars, new arrivals and academy prospects all expected to feature, Roberto de Zerbi’s team selection could provide the first major clues about Tottenham’s plans for the season ahead.

Kickoff at Hotspur Way is set for 5 p.m. BST (noon ET, 9 a.m. PT), and the behind-closed-doors friendly streams live on Tottenham’s SPURSPLAY platform, which is carrying all seven of the club’s confirmed preseason matches this summer, subject to regional availability.

Pedro Porro will not be part of that Hotspur Way lineup. The Spain right back started Spain’s run to the World Cup semifinals and beyond, and FIFA’s mandated three-week posttournament recovery window, triggered by Sunday’s final, rules him out until early to mid-August at the earliest.

Porro is hardly alone. Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, Cristian Romero, Marcos Senesi and Djed Spence all remain away from the group following their own World Cup runs, according to Read Tottenham. Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert are still working back from torn ACLs, while Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski continue individual rehab programs of their own.

That absentee list swings the door wide open for two record signings. Sandro Tonali could finally get his first Tottenham minutes after a work permit delay kept the Italy midfielder out of the season’s opening training sessions, joining fellow summer arrival Mateus Fernandes, who has completed a full training block and looks ready to go. New goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is also available.

Roberto De Zerbi’s Rebuild Faces Its First Test

De Zerbi took over in late March with Tottenham a single point above the Premier League relegation zone, and steadied a club that had gone winless in the league since December. This is his first match in charge of a squad reshaped since then by a record-breaking transfer window, one that brought in Tonali, Fernandes, Van Hecke, Robertson, Senesi and Dubravka.

The Italian built his reputation on possession-first football at Sassuolo before a historic sixth-place finish at Brighton and a strong Ligue 1 title challenge at Marseille that ended with his February exit, according to Sports Mole. His teams invite pressure before playing through it, a system that rewards composed defenders and wide attackers alike.

MK Dons arrive off a promotion, having finished second in League Two under Paul Warne to secure a return to League One. But captain Alex Gilbey now faces a nervous wait after a knee injury sustained blocking a shot in last week’s preseason opener against Maidenhead United.

“He fell awkwardly after some contact in the box, and it looks like he’s damaged his knee,” Warne said of Gilbey, as quoted by the Milton Keynes Citizen. “It doesn’t look worst-case scenario and we’re hoping it won’t be too bad.”

Today’s meeting is Tottenham and MK Dons’ first since a 2021 preseason friendly Spurs won 3-1. This time, De Zerbi gets his first look at a rebuilt midfield, and MK Dons get a measuring stick against Premier League opposition before their own season begins in earnest.

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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set to name James Maddison as their new captain.

Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi has identified Maddison as Cristian Romero's successor.

The 29-year-old is set to be formally announced as Tottenham's new captain in the coming weeks.

Romero has been linked with Chelsea, while Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also believed to be keen on signing him.

The Lilywhites have started pre-season today, securing a 1-0 victory over League One club MK Dons in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Hotspur Way.

Maddison was not included in the Spurs' matchday squad today and Tottenham fans are hoping he is fit to return to action for the next game.

He made three appearances last season, having been out for most of the campaign due to a knee injury he sustained during a friendly against Newcastle United in August 2025.

Romero was named Tottenham captain by Thomas Frank heading into the 2025-26 campaign following Heung-min Son's departure.

The South American wants to leave this summer, and the club has no plans to stand in his way.

De Zerbi has added Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke to his centre-back options this summer.

Tottenham's pre-season has officially begun with a 1-0 win against MK Dons.

Roberto De Zerbi will be hoping to instill his ideas into this group of players, which features plenty of new faces.

Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali have been given their first chances in the Lilywhites strip.

Meanwhile, plenty of youth stars have been given minutes ahead of the 2026-2027 campaign.

The match against the EFL side is the only friendly taking place on English soil before Spurs' trip to New Zealand and Australia.

At Tottenham Hotspur News, we have been covering Tottenham's pre-season schedule and here is how the players got on at Hotspur Way.

Mateus Fernandes puts early price tag worries behind him

Fernandes arrived at Tottenham with a hefty price tag of £85million.

But, it did not take him long to prove why Spurs were so eager to fork out such a fee against MK Dons.

Just three minutes into his first appearance for Tottenham, the Portuguese midfielder netted a wonderful goal.

After a cleared corner dropped to him outside the box, he hit a first-time volley directly into the far corner.

But, other than his goal, there were clear indicators of what he had to offer.

Fernandes was tidy on the ball, attempting 76 passes in just one half. He completed 89 per cent of those as per Sofascore.

Additionally, he had just one unsuccessful touch among 81, showcasing his on-ball composure.

Defensively, there was little for him to do, but he did make four recoveries and complete one interception.

But, he did lose all three of his ground duels, which is something De Zerbi will want to him to work on.

The 11 metrics that prove Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes will fix Tottenham midfield Malachi Hardy emerges as early pre-season standout

Each pre-season supporters will be looking for the youngsters that are next up, and Malachi Hardy is the early standout.

The centre-back was both calm and composed at the back for the N17 outfit and did not look out of place in the second-half.

Hardy won 100 per cent of his two attempted tackles, while also winning three out of four of his duels.

He kept a 96 per cent passing accuracy as well, showing he may be ready for a step-up next season.

Tottenham player ratings vs MK Dons

Here are the ratings from Tottenham's win against MK Dons at Hotspur Way.

Antonin Kinsky - 6

Archie Gray - 6

Kota Takai - 7

Ben Davies - 7

Rio Kyerematen - 6

Sandro Tonali - 6

Mateus Fernandes - 7

Mathys Tel - 6

Conor Gallagher - 5

Manor Solomon - 6

Dominic Solanke - 5

Substitutes

Martin Dubravka - 7

Malachi Hardy - 8

Tye Hall - 6

Jamie Donley - 7

Harry Byrne - 6

Yang Min-hyeok - 5

Luca Williams-Barnett - 7

Dane Scarlett - 5

Mikey Moore - 7

Tottenham Hotspur did not want to sell young striker Will Lankshear permanently and were actually looking for loan moves, but when historic EFL Championship side Middlesborough were so smitten with the No. 9 that they offered a total package of 20 million pounds, Spurs could not say no.

So Lankshear joins Luka Vuskovic as the latest Tottenham talent to leave the club this summer without truly getting his shot with the first team, but the road to a future at Tottenham is not as closed for the 21 year old forward.

Tottenham have a right of first refusal to match any future offer Middlesborough get, as they would also receive a 20 percent sell on bonus on any future sale of the talented forward. So maybe Lankshear's chapter at the club is not written yet.

Will Lankshear's story is not fully written

Speaking on the Last Word on Spurs show, journalist George Sessions of PA Sport stated that it would not surprise him if in two or three years, Will Lankshear were to return to Tottenham Hotspur to finish what he started and continue his journey at the club.

Funny enough, it has happened at other clubs before where a player was sold then bought back after becoming a bigger star, and Real Madrid, of all teams, have used this strategy quite well over the years, including with former Porto defensive midfielder Casemiro.

See, Tottenham know that Lankshear is not ready to be their main man and lead the line, and it is useless for him to sit behind Dominic Solanke or any other striker they were to sign in te summer 2026 transfer window for manager Roberto De Zerbi.

So for Spurs, the best thing to do is to let Lankshear go and not even loan him but sell him with the ability to bring him back at the market rate, provided he wants the return. Lankshear can freely play and develop in his new grounds without looking over his back, and if he impresses De Zerbi and the Spurs scouting team enough, they can bring him back for probably less than they would sign another talented young striker.

Now, the reality is that it is probably more likely Lankshear never goes back to Spurs, and he may never even be a Spurs quality striker, which is why he was sold in the first place. But fans can dream, and Lankshear is the kind of character they will be rooting for.

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zebri has totally changed the vibe at the club, and after saving Spurs from Premier League relegation, the Italian manager has followed things up beautifully by signing two of the best midfielders in the division in Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes to immediately start at the base of the midfield behind either James Maddison or Xavi Simons.

But Spurs fans do not want the club to be done any time soon with their dream summer business this year, because there are gaping holes. to address in the attack. Tottenham have done exceptionally well to improve the base of the midfield, but now the Lilywhites need to finish it off with guys who can score the goals and make the real plays in attack.

De Zerbi is ready to give Spurs supporters what they want again. Speaking to the media during preseason training, De Zerbi affirmed that he is not done making additions to the Tottenham Hotspur squad this summer.

De Zerbi never rests

The manager stated, via Hotspur Lane, "We are excited with the idea to build a very strong team. Now we have to finish it, it's not finished yet. Our transfer market, in and out, at the moment, I am very happy, proud, and positive."

That is exactly the mentality Tottenham fans love about De Zebri. He is never satisfied and he wants to take Spurs straight the top - and unlike legends like Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho, he is actually making the kinds of tangible waves that could help Spurs get there.

Right now, Tottenham have only one top forward they are actually in talks for in Savinho, and the only other concrete link is to Liverpool star Cody Gakpo on the left wing. The only striker Spurs fans know they are in for is Eli Junior Kroupi from Bournemouth, but the chances of him being available seem to be almost zero due to Bournemouth setting a very hard line on him.

Tottenham are going to have to make multiple signings, and that is why it is so huge for the Spurs faithful to hear straight from De Zerbi's mouth that he is not close to being finished yet pushing for more and more signings for Johan Lange and the Lilywhites to bring in.

Spurs need to step on the gas pedal and make some major splashes this summer, and now it will be curious to see who they go for first.

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It didn't take long for Roberto De Zerbi to prove one of his biggest criticisms wrong

Although Joao Palhinha had a lull in the middle of the 2025/26 Premier League season, Tottenham Hotspur supporters fell back in love with the veteran defensive midfielder at the end of the campaign for his heroics in the Premier League relegation battle.

Without Palhinha, Spurs would have very likely ended up in the EFL Championship. He really turned up his performances in the final month of the campaign, saving his best for last with a monster of a display, including the winning goal from a corner, to sink Everton.

At the time, Roberto De Zerbi was telling the world that Palhinha would 100 percent be back at Tottenham and in his plans as at least a rotational player with some importance in the squad after the character and defensive quality he showed for the Lilywhites when they needed him the most.

Bayern Munich did Joao Palhinha wrong

So there was a sense of betrayal when Tottenham Hotspur did not keep Joao Palhinha after all, letting the former Fulham star head back to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich without accepting his 25-30 million euro option to buy on the one year loan deal they made last summer.

According to information from German outlet BILD, via iMiaSanMia, the culprit of Palhinha's snub was not Tottenham's manager Roberto De Zerbi. It was not he who went back on his word that stopped the Palhinha transfer to Spurs from being permanent, but rather Bayern's own greed.

The story from BILD is that De Zerbi really did love Palhinha and very much wanted to sign him permanently. Tottenham just did not feel that 25-30 million euros was worth the price, and as they did with Mathys Tel from Bayern last summer, they tried to negotiate the loan clause down.

They were unsuccessful, as the interest from the Portuguese top flight led Bayern to believe they could get full value for the 31 year old. Bayern insisted on 30 million euros, which Tottenham balked at. And so did Benfica and Sporting CP, who now just want a simple loan deal again. Now, Bayern are still scrambling to find a solution, because Palhinha has no path to playing time there - and the Reds don't want to be stuck with another loan.

Perhaps this will open the door for Tottenham to reconsider, but you wonder if that ship has sailed for De Zerbi after Tottenham brought in both Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes for nearly 200 million euros because they still have Conor Gallagher and Rodrigo Bentancur on their books as veteran mids.

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Tottenham Hotspur right winger Dejan Kulusevski has not been seen on the football pitch since the end of the 2024/25 season, as he suffered a devastating knee injury that has still remained without an official diagnosis, comment from the club, or a time table for a return.

But this summer, quietly, Kulusevski has resumed training. After predictably missing the 2026 World Cup with the Swedish national team, Kulu has been posting videos of himself moving with the ball and shooting, and whlie it is hard to tell how he is on that knee or if he is anywhere near game shape or what the future will hold for him, it has been wonderful to at least see him out there with the ball.

In an appearance on the Last Word on Spurs show, PA Sport's Tottenham journalist George Sessions made a bold Dejan Kulusevski injury prediction. Sessions thinks that we will see Kulu out on the pitch for Spurs before long, predicting the Swedish international's return from knee injury in the first half of the season.

Tottenham fans are begging to see Kulu back

Now the first half of the 2026/27 campaign could be anywhere from August to December, and while the latter part of the year seems more likely for a player who has not had a sniff of action in over a year, any return is great news for Tottenham fans.

Kulusevski was one of the best right wingers in the Premier League before his injury and played a crucial role in getting Spurs to the point where they could win the Europa League title in 2024/25. Ange Postecoglou was actually playing him a bit further back to start the young Brennan Johnson, now at Crystal Palace, on the right wing, and Kulu, a former Serie A star, was actually thriving in this Mezzala role in the Spurs offense.

It is anyone's guess as to what Kulusevski can offer going forward, and after a knee injury that quite honestly still looks career threatening, Kulu may never be the same again. But with his football IQ and heart, Tottenham Hotspur supporters would never put it past the 26 year old to bounce back, even if it not this season but the next.

George Sessions is optimistic, and while one man's word or prediction does not mean much, it is, in this case, enough to keep giving Spurs fans hope of better days to come for their beloved attacker.

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They had no idea they were doing it, and they probably couldn't care less, but Chelsea's mammoth purchase of Morgan Rogers helped Spurs strike an impressive deal for the sale of Will Lankshear.

The Lilywhites have entered their selling era of this summer transfer window, having splurged more than 230m to completely reinvent their defence and midfield.

Spurs are expected to go big again to bolster their frontline, but sales are being prioritised for the moment. Lankshear will soon be added to the list of departures after the club oversaw the exits of Luka Vukovi, Alfie Devine, Alejo Vliz and Radu Drguin. Lucas Bergvall, Cristian Romero and World Cup hero Djed Spence could also be on the move.

The club's earned just shy of 70m in sales so far, and they're set to add a healthy chunk to their transfer kitty once Middlesbrough complete the signing of Lankshear, who made just three senior appearances for the club.

Middlesbrough cash-in on Morgan Rogers deal to sign Will Lankshear

This is a brilliant deal for Spurs. Yes, I know some of us are concerned about potential pathways for our younger players, especially after we lost Tynan Thompson to Manchester United, albeit for 8m, but we couldn't turn down a deal for Lankshear that may be worth 20m. Boro are paying a reported 10m up front and another 10m in add-ons.

Letting him go for that sort of money is a no-brainer, and Chelsea's 117m purchase of Rogers helped facilitate Boro's move.

How? Well, the Championship club is earning 20% of the profit Villa earns from the Rogers sale after selling the Englishman to the Villans for 8m in January 2024. Thus, they're expected to make at least 20m, which is seemingly being reinvested into Lanskhear.

We've also snuck in a 20% sell-on clause into our agreement with Boro for the young striker, so if he does develop into a world-beater, we'll at least earn a big wad of cash when the Premier League hopefuls eventually sell.

The deal is another example of the club operating more shrewdly in the market. We were so bad at selling for so long, but I don't think we can have any complaints about what we've done on that front so far this summer.

We're setting the stage for another big splash, with as many as three forwards potentially coming through the door. The bombas are coming, folks.

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Sportitalia insist Cristian Romero is eager for a return to Serie A with Inter, but the €50m asking price set by Tottenham Hotspur is a major hurdle.

The 28-year-old limped off during the 2026 World Cup Final with Argentina, but had already decided that he would be moving on at club level this summer.

Romero eager for Serie A return

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 24: Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

His contract at Spurs runs to June 2029, but he feels that his time at White Hart Lane is over, especially after they struggled simply to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

According to Sportitalia reporter Gianluigi Longari, Inter are in contact with Romero’s entourage, and the player would be more than happy to come back to Italy.

This is where Cuti first made his mark, arriving for Genoa in 2018, then going on to Juventus and Atalanta, until the €53.8m transfer to Tottenham in 2021.