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Darren Bazeley
3
Group Stage
New Zealand are back at the World Cup after winning Oceania's first direct place, with Chris Wood again central to everything the All Whites do.
Read full team guide →Pick every match, earn points, and challenge your friends. Predictions lock June 11.
New Zealand qualified for World Cup 2026 by taking advantage of Oceania's first direct slot, and FIFA's qualification coverage framed it exactly that way: an expanded tournament paying instant dividends for the OFC. The All Whites beat New Caledonia 3-0 on 24 March 2025 to end a 16-year wait for a return to the finals.
Forward
Nottingham Forest
FIFA's Oceania qualifying review says Wood finished the campaign with nine goals, more than double the next-best scorer.
Defender
Empoli
Cacace gives New Zealand a top-level defender comfortable in difficult defensive workloads.
Midfielder
Viking
Bell helps New Zealand stay organised in midfield and is important when the team need calmer possession.
Defender
Minnesota United
FIFA's New Zealand qualification report notes that Boxall scored the breakthrough goal in the final against New Caledonia.
Midfielder
NAC Breda
Garbett offers energy and helps add a younger running profile around the veteran spine.
Max Crocombe
Millwall
Alex Paulsen
Lechia Gdańsk
Michael Woud
Auckland FC
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
Joe Bell
Viking FK
Matt Garbett
Peterborough United
Marko Stamenic
Swansea City
Sarpreet Singh
Wellington Phoenix
Alex Rufer
Wellington Phoenix
Ryan Thomas
PEC Zwolle
Chris Wood
Nottingham Forest
Eli Just
Motherwell
Kosta Barbarouses
Western Sydney Wanderers
Ben Waine
Port Vale
Ben Old
Saint-Étienne
Callum McCowatt
Silkeborg IF
Jesse Randall
Auckland FC
Lachlan Bayliss
Newcastle Jets
Can New Zealand go all the way? Make your prediction →
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