New Zealand
Coach
Darren Bazeley
World Cup Appearances
3
Best Finish
Group Stage
Complete Team Guide
Darren Bazeley has named New Zealand's 26 for World Cup 2026. Chris Wood captains despite two knee injuries, Tommy Smith returns from the 5th tier at 36, and Bazeley will become the first person in history to coach all four major FIFA men's tournaments.
Read full team guide →Predict New Zealand's run at World Cup 2026
Pick every match, earn points, and challenge your friends. Predictions lock June 11.
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Road to 2026
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.
Key Players
Chris Wood
Forward
Nottingham Forest
FIFA's Oceania qualifying review says Wood finished the campaign with nine goals, more than double the next-best scorer.
Liberato Cacace
Defender
Empoli
Cacace gives New Zealand a top-level defender comfortable in difficult defensive workloads.
Joe Bell
Midfielder
Viking
Bell helps New Zealand stay organised in midfield and is important when the team need calmer possession.
Michael Boxall
Defender
Minnesota United
FIFA's New Zealand qualification report notes that Boxall scored the breakthrough goal in the final against New Caledonia.
Matt Garbett
Midfielder
NAC Breda
Garbett offers energy and helps add a younger running profile around the veteran spine.
Goalkeepers
Max Crocombe
Millwall
Alex Paulsen
Lechia Gdańsk
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
Midfielders
Joe Bell
Viking FK
Matt Garbett
Peterborough United
Marko Stamenic
Swansea City
Sarpreet Singh
Wellington Phoenix
Alex Rufer
Wellington Phoenix
Ryan Thomas
PEC Zwolle
Attackers
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 →
World Cup 2026 Bracket PredictorMatch Schedule
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