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Darren Bazeley And New Zealand's Official Squad For The 2026 FIFA World Cup
New Zealand officially unveiled its 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and hopes to surprise in Group F.
New Zealand is already fully focused on the 2026 World Cup
The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues and New Zealand became one of the first national teams to officially announce its final squad for the tournament that will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Head coach Darren Bazeley decided to skip FIFA’s extended preliminary squad and directly confirmed the 26 players who will represent the All Whites at the World Cup. The goal for the Oceania side is clear: become one of the tournament’s surprise teams and fight for a place in the Round of 32.
New Zealand will compete in Group F alongside Belgium, Egypt, and Iran, an extremely difficult group for a nation hoping to compete with a mixture of youth, experience, and several players currently performing in important leagues around the world.
New Zealand’s Official Squad For The 2026 World Cup
Goalkeepers
Max Crocombe — Millwall FC (Championship)
Alex Paulsen — Lechia Gdańsk (Ekstraklasa)
Michael Woud — Auckland FC (New Zealand National League)
Defenders
Tim Payne — Wellington Phoenix (A-League)
Francis De Vries — Auckland FC (New Zealand National League)
Tyler Bindon — Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
Michael Boxall — Minnesota United (MLS)
Liberato Cacace — Wrexham AFC (Championship)
Nando Pijnaker — Auckland FC (New Zealand National League)
Finn Surman — Portland Timbers (MLS)
Callan Elliot — Auckland FC (New Zealand National League)
Tommy Smith — Braintree Town (National League)
Midfielders
Joe Bell — Viking FK (Eliteserien)
Matt Garbett — Peterborough United (League One)
Marko Stamenić — Swansea City (Championship)
Sarpreet Singh — Wellington Phoenix (A-League)
Alex Rufer — Wellington Phoenix (A-League)
Ben Old — Saint-Étienne (Ligue 1)
Callum McCowatt — Silkeborg IF (Danish Superliga)
Ryan Thomas — PEC Zwolle (Eredivisie)
Lachlan Bayliss — Newcastle Jets (A-League)
Forwards
Chris Wood — Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
Eli Just — Motherwell FC (Scottish Premiership)
Kosta Barbarouses — Western Sydney Wanderers (A-League)
Ben Waine — Port Vale (League One)
Jesse Randall — Auckland FC (New Zealand National League)
Head Coach
Darren Bazeley
Player To Watch
The biggest star of this New Zealand squad is undoubtedly Chris Wood. The Nottingham Forest striker arrives as the undisputed leader of the All Whites after producing one of the best seasons of his career in the Premier League.
Beyond his international experience, Wood represents the main attacking hope for a team that will attempt to compete against nations considered far stronger on paper. The veteran striker was also crucial during Oceania qualifying and will be responsible for leading New Zealand’s World Cup dream.
New Zealand wants to make history in North America
Although they are not considered favorites, New Zealand believes the combination of young talent and experienced players could turn them into one of the surprise stories of the 2026 World Cup.
With players spread across important leagues around the world, a confident generation, and Chris Wood leading the attack, the All Whites dream of competing toe-to-toe with Belgium, Egypt, and Iran in hopes of writing one of the tournament’s unexpected stories.
