Head coach Darren Bazeley has announced New Zealand's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, marking the nation's third appearance at the tournament and first since the 2010 edition in South Africa. The "All Whites" will be the sole representative of the Oceania confederation in 2026.
Leading the squad is Chris Wood. The prolific Nottingham Forest striker has just returned from injury and will be looking to find his best form ahead of the tournament. Wood is already New Zealand's all-time leading scorer and is only a few caps away from becoming the country's most-capped player. Both Wood and defender Tommy Smith will be making their second World Cup appearance.
Bazeley has set his sights on a historic campaign. "Now the time for discussions is over. We need to head to the tournament and take the opportunity in front of us to make history for New Zealand," he said.
New Zealand have been drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and Iran. They will open their campaign against Iran on June 15th at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Before that, the team will play two warm-up friendlies: against Haiti on June 2nd at Inter Miami Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and against England on June 7th at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
New Zealand Squad:
Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe (Millwall), Alex Paulsen (Lechia Gdansk), Michael Woud (Auckland FC).
Defenders: Tim Payne (Wellington Phoenix), Francis De Vries (Auckland FC), Tyler Bindon (Nottingham Forest), Michael Boxall (Minnesota United), Liberato Cacace (Wrexham), Nando Pijnaker (Auckland FC), Finn Surman (Portland Timbers), Callan Elliot (Auckland FC), Tommy Smith (Braintree Town).
p>Midfielders: Joe Bell (Viking FK), Matt Garbett (Peterborough United), Marko Stamenic (Swansea), Sarpreet Singh (Wellington Phoenix), Alex Rufer (Wellington Phoenix), Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle).Forwards: Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest), Eli Just (Motherwell), Kosta Barbarouses (Western Sydney Wanderers), Ben Waine (Port Vale), Ben Old (Saint-Etienne), Callum McCowatt (Silkeborg), Jesse Randall (Auckland FC), Lachlan Bayliss (Newcastle Jets).