New Zealand national team squad for the 2026 World Cup

Ashley Davis3 weeks ago

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Article by Maria Olteanu – Published on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, 22:59 / Updated on Wednesday, 20 May 2026 23:00

The technical staff of the New Zealand national team, led by coach Darren Bazeley, has announced the 26-man squad for this summer's World Cup, which will be held in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada. The list includes a footballer who plays in League 5.

New Zealand secured a place at the World Cup after winning the Oceania qualifying tournament. In Group G, they will face Iran (June 16, Los Angeles Stadium), Egypt (June 22, BC Place Vancouver) and Belgium (June 27, BC Place Vancouver).

New Zealand returns to the World Cup after 16 years

Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood is the biggest name in the New Zealand national football team, which is looking for its first World Cup victory in this final tournament. In total, the announced group includes two players who already have experience at such a level.

New Zealand has participated in the World Championship twice so far. In Spain in 1982 they lost all three matches and in South Africa in 2010 they drew all three games and failed to get out of the groups. Wood, then the team's youngest player, was also in the squad 16 years ago.

The 34-year-old forward has 88 caps for the national team and 45 goals. Another World Cup 2010 participant was included in the squad, 36-year-old defender Tommy Smith, former captain of the “All Whites”, who plays in the English fifth division for Braintree Town.

New Zealand national team squad for the 2026 World Cup

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

Midfielders: Lachlan Bayliss (Newcastle Jets), Joe Bell (Viking), Matt Garbett (Peterborough United), Ben Old (Saint-Étienne), Alex Rufer (Wellington Phoenix), Sarpreet Singh (Wellington Phoenix), Marko Stamenic (Swansea City), Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle);

Strikers: Kosta Barbarouses (Western Sydney Wanderers), Elijah Just (Motherwell), Callum McCowatt (Silkeborg), Jesse Randall (Auckland), Ben Waine (Port Vale), Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest);