Wellington's Westpac Stadium will host New Zealand's World Cup qualifier against an Asian nation in November.

The All Whites will meet either Bahrain or Saudi Arabia in a two-legged qualifying play-off with the first leg to be held in Asia on October 10 and the second leg in Wellington on November 14.

The supposed home of football in New Zealand, North Harbour Stadium in Auckland's North Shore City, was not given the rights to the match, surprising many.

But New Zealand football chief executive Michael Glading said the capacity at Westpac is what got the venue over the line.

"All three bids were fantastic and had the support from their respective councils but it came down to a choice between Wellington and Auckland," Glading said.

"With a match of this magnitude we need to give ourselves the best chance of qualifying. If players feel more comfortable in one venue and we can get an extra 8000 fans playing their part, that would just be the edge needed to realise the dream of reaching the World Cup again."