The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks New Zealand’s first appearance in the tournament since 2010.

New Zealand secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup following a perfect run in the OFC qualification campaign. Despite this success, they enter the tournament as underdogs, with one of the least experienced squads among the participants.

In the group stage, the All Whites will take on Belgium, Egypt, and Iran. Since confirming their place in North America, New Zealand managed a win against Ivory Coast but suffered seven defeats in their next eight matches, managing only a draw against fellow World Cup qualifier Norway in October.

On the positive side, star striker Chris Wood is fit and ready for action after a challenging season battling relegation with Nottingham Forest. The 38-year-old forward’s experience and leadership will be crucial if New Zealand are to progress beyond the group stage.

Several members of the current squad ply their trade in England. Goalkeeper Max Crocombe features for Millwall, left-back Liberato Cacace represents Wrexham, while 36-year-old veteran Tommy Smith plays for Braintree Town in the fifth tier of English football.

However, there are some notable absentees. Bill Tuiloma, who has earned nearly 50 international caps, will not be part of the squad, while Auckland FC’s Logan Rogerson also misses out on selection.

Expectations remain modest, with New Zealand likely to find it difficult to pick up points. Nevertheless, the experience gained could prove valuable for the nation’s footballing future.

Goalkeepers:
Max Crocombe (Millwall), Alex Paulsen (Lechia Gdansk), Michael Woud (Auckland FC)

Defenders:
Tim Payne (Wellington Phoenix), Francis de Vries (Auckland FC), Tyler Bindon (Sheffield United), Michael Boxall (Minnesota United FC), Liberato Cacace (Wrexham), Nando Pijnaker (Auckland FC), Finn Surman (Portland Timbers), Callan Elliot (Auckland FC), Tommy Smith (Braintree)

Midfielders:
Joe Bell (Viking), Matthew Garbett (Peterborough United), Marko Stamenic (Swansea City), Sarpreet Singh (Wellington Phoenix), Elijah Just (Motherwell), Alex Rufer (Wellington Phoenix), Ben Old (Saint-Etienne), Callum McCowatt (Silkeborg), Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle), Lachlan Bayliss (Newcastle Jets)

Forwards:
Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest), Kosta Barbarouses (Western Sydney Wanderers), Ben Waine (Port Vale), Jesse Randall (Auckland FC)

Match Fixtures:

June 06, 2026: England vs New Zealand – Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, United States

June 15, 2026: Iran vs New Zealand – SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, United States

June 21, 2026: New Zealand vs Egypt – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada

June 26, 2026: New Zealand vs Belgium – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada

Recent Results:

March 30, 2026: New Zealand 4-1 Chile – Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand

March 27, 2026: New Zealand 0-2 Finland – Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand

November 19, 2025: Ecuador 2-0 New Zealand – Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado, Quito, Ecuador

November 16, 2025: Colombia 2-1 New Zealand – Estadio El Campín, Bogotá, Colombia

October 14, 2025: Norway 1-1 New Zealand – Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway

October 09, 2025: Poland 1-0 New Zealand – Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw, Poland

September 09, 2025: New Zealand 1-3 Australia – Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand

September 05, 2025: Australia 1-0 New Zealand – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia

June 10, 2025: New Zealand 1-2 Ukraine – Stadion Miejski, Wrocław, Poland

June 08, 2025: New Zealand 1-0 Ivory Coast – Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand

March 24, 2025: New Caledonia 0-3 New Zealand – Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand

March 21, 2025: New Zealand 7-0 Fiji – Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand

New Zealand have been placed in Group G for the World Cup 2026.

Head coach Darren Bazeley, who took charge in 2023, is a former defender for Watford, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Walsall. He ended his playing career with two New Zealand clubs and has been associated with the New Zealand Football Federation since 2009, holding several coaching roles across youth levels before succeeding his former Walsall teammate Danny Hay as senior team manager.

The Northampton-born coach guided his side to victory in all their World Cup qualifiers by margins of at least three goals. However, results outside the Oceania region highlight the significant challenges awaiting them in the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer.

By the time the All Whites kick off their campaign in 2026, Chris Wood will serve as captain, the most capped player, and the all-time top scorer for his country. At 33, he remains a vital presence for both club and country.

Wood netted nine goals during qualification—more than double that of the next highest scorer—and added 20 goals in the Premier League in the 2024–25 season, helping Nottingham Forest secure European qualification. Widely acknowledged as New Zealand’s greatest footballer, Wood will be eager to make a lasting impact in what is expected to be his final World Cup appearance, having debuted as a teenager at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.